Obituary of John Joseph Aloysius Schell

March 20, 1933 – St. Albert, Alberta

June 24, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness and much love that we mourn the passing of our dear husband, dad, grandad, and great grandad, Jack Schell of Calgary on June 24, 2023, at the age of 90.

Born in St. Albert on March 20, 1933, Jack was the youngest of five children.  They eventually moved to Edmonton and lived across the street from who would eventually become the love of his life Florence Corbett. They were married on September 26, 1953.  In 1957 they were blessed with their son Kim and in 1960, their daughter Wendy.  In 1961 Jack and his brother Don both built log cabins at Long Lake where our families spent summers fishing, boating, swimming, and in the winter, ice fishing and ski-doing and making many memories.

He worked as a heavy-duty mechanic for Regent Drilling in Edmonton and in 1972 moved to Calgary to work for what was then known as “Alberta Gas Trunk Line” and later became “Trans Canada Pipeline”. He retired at 57 to pursue his new career as a “snowbird.”  They travelled extensively pulling their fifth wheel across North America seeing all provinces, states, and territories, along with taking numerous cruises and eventually spending their winters in Arizona.

Jack was an avid cyclist, cycling 3000 km/year on average. When he wasn’t riding his bike, he would be busy tinkering in the garage at all hours of the day and night fixing cars, woodworking and if he needed anything that he couldn’t purchase at a store, he would make it. He was a jack of all trades. The hobby he loved the most was building remote control airplanes and boats and was a member of the Calgary Boat Club and Calgary Airplane Club. They spent many weekends camping at “The Pasture” with the “gang” having lots of laughs and good times.

Most of all however, his greatest treasures were his grandchildren Stephanie, Kylee, Amber and Kristen and great grandchildren Britton, Jade, and Keaton. They were his life and he enjoyed spending time camping, biking and so much more with them. We were all so lucky to have him in our life.

He wasn’t a big man, but he sure left a big impression on everyone he met.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 69 years Florence, children Kim Schell, Wendy Norby (Darrell); grandchildren Stephanie Norby (Jeremy Weisgerber), Kylee Schell, Amber Norby, Kristen Schell (Jesse Gostola; great grandchildren Britton Norby, Jade Ancheta, Keaton Schell-Henwood: sister-in-law Stella Shippers and brother-in-law Rick Corbett.

He was predeceased by his parents Alexander and Catherine Schell, his mother and father-in-law Richard (Dick) and Sarah Corbett; his sisters and brother in laws Marge Landals (Bud), Kay Ingram (Johnny), Doreen Porrett (Fred); brother and sister-in-law Don Schell (Agnes) and brother-in-law Dale Corbett.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB) on Tuesday July 4, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of John Schell, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.