Obituary of Orville Tourand

October 4, 1937 - Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan

April 16, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Orville Tourand of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at the age of 85 years.

Orville was born in Meadow Lake, SK, on October 4, 1937. Leaving Saskatchewan at a young age with his family, he spent his years in Blue River, BC, Pemberton, BC, and Kamloops, BC, and lastly in Calgary, AB.

He was a member of the IWA for over twenty years. Orville spent his working life in the bush and backroads of BC driving trucks, hauling logs, felling trees, and operating heavy equipment as a lifelong logger. Orville had many a close calls and stories to tell, including those shared logging with his son Phillip in Northern BC.

Orville enjoyed gardening in his later years, meticulously tending his backyard vegetable patch throughout the seasons with his daughter Judy. He was skilled with his hands, always busy fixing, repairing, and bringing life to old objects and furniture.

“Dad’s” or “Grandpa’s” home-brewed, neighbourhood-sourced crab apple, rhubarb, and apple wines were well known throughout his extended family, spreading gallons of good cheer across Western Canada.

Orville is survived by his two daughters, Debbie McClelland of Kamloops, BC, and Judy Tourand of Calgary, AB; son Phillip (Donna) Tourand of Port Alberni, BC; four grandchildren, Ashley, Lindsey, Janna, and Devon; four great-grandchildren, Caiman, Olive, Avery, and Mila; and brother Freddy; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Orville was predeceased by his wife Mary Tourand (Thompson), parents, Mary and Fred Tourand, sister Shirley, brothers, Kenny, Ronnie, Leonard “Poncho”, and Brian “Kid”; and great-grandson River Tourand.

A family celebration of life will be arranged in the coming months in honour of Orville's life and memory. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Joseph Orville Victor Tourand, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Eastside, 5388 Memorial Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2A 3V9, Telephone: 403-248-8585.