Obituary of Paul (Al) Aloys Brunner

June 17, 1931 – Scapa, Alberta

August 5, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

Paul Aloys “Al” Brunner, passed away after a very brief illness on Saturday, August 5, 2023.

Al was born in Scapa, Alberta, June 17, 1931 to Frank and Theresa Brunner. He was the fifth of nine children. Al was a father to Diane (Dan) Phillips, Susan (Elmer) Thiessen, Brian (Rachel) Brunner, and Dwayne (Elizabeth) Brunner. Al was 92 years old.

Al was the first of his family to finish high school. He left the farm near Hanna, Alberta for his first job at the Alberta Treasury Branch in Red Deer, where he met Doreen, his future wife. He followed her to Calgary and they were married August 1, 1953. He took a job at Gulf Oil in 1953 and worked at Gulf and its various subsidiaries, like British American, Royalite and Petro Canada, until his retirement in 1989.

Al was a man of faith. He and Doreen attended Bethel Baptist Church during their early marriage, where they made life-long friends. Al led the Christian Service Brigade program for years and was instrumental in establishing Camp TeePee Pole, in the forestry west of Sundre, Alberta. After a brief time in Edmonton, the family returned to Calgary and began attending Ambassador Baptist (now Varsity Bible Church).

When Al and Doreen retired, they joined Roving Volunteers in Christ’s Service (RVICS), where they did work projects at a variety of non-profit organizations. From the deep south of Florida to the far reaches of Alaska, they traveled and saw many sights in between. After RVICS, they split their time between Calgary and Mesa, where they were active members in both communities.

Al lived a rich and full life, with his faith at the center of all he did. These words from the Apostle Paul, to Timothy, feel appropriate in describing Al’s time on this earth, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith.”  So, “well done, good and faithful servant!”

Until we meet again.

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to Hope Mission  or the Mustard Seed.

A Memorial Service will be held at Varsity Bible Church (4807 Valiant Dr NW, Calgary, AB), on Friday August 25, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Paul "Al" Brunner, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.