Obituary of Christopher Riley Sharp

August 8, 1979 - Winnipeg, Manitoba

August 16, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Christopher Sharp of Calgary, AB, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at the age of 44 years.

Chris was born in Winnipeg to loving parents, Ian and Ruth Ann. He, his parents, and brother Patrick relocated to Calgary in 1984, where he began his lifelong love of sports.

Moving to Thunder Bay in 1990 Chris attended Algonquin Elementary and Hammarskjold High School before attending and graduating from the University of Guelph.  

He and his future wife Lindsay then moved to Calgary where he enrolled at Mt. Royal University, graduating from the insurance program.  This started his successful career in the insurance industry, culminating in being head of the commercial branch for Toole Peet Insurance and then assuming the same position with Navacord following their acquisition of Toole Peet.

Growing up in Thunder Bay Chris was active in all sports.  Playing minor hockey for the Elks, South End Rangers, and Thunder Bay Kings.  He was a member of the winning Midget Kings Air Canada cup team resulting in the team being elected to the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame. He went on to play junior hockey for the Kanata Valley Lasers and Thunder Bay Flyers prior to playing for the University of Guelph.  He often said the highlight of his hockey career was playing on the same team as his brother, having so much fun together on the Lasers and Flyers.  In baseball he played for the Port Arthur Nats, winning city titles and playing in provincial championships in Windsor and Ottawa.  He then played for the Thunder Bay Junior Jacks for one year.

Following his move to Calgary he played senior hockey with the Lafarge Wolfpack, winning scoring titles and MVP awards, as well as developing lifelong friendships with teammates. A couple of years ago he hung up his skates to concentrate on coaching his daughters.  

He was so proud of Sophie’s hockey, Taylor’s new love of guitar and was in awe of both girls’ artistic abilities.  In hockey he loved coaching the girls and was so good that the league president would send other coaches to watch Chris run his practices.

His priority was always his family.  He was a dedicated father to his daughters, taking them on many trips and recently enjoyed a trip to Fernie, BC with Holly and the girls.

Remaining active, Chris enjoyed golfing with his buddies and dad, surfing in Tofino, regularly attending the gym, taking his girls to the beach, and travelling to Connecticut to visit his brother and family. He was an avid Blue Jays fan, taking his dad this spring to Toronto to watch two games, memories his dad will cherish.

Chris was predeceased by his grandparents, aunt Lynda Johnston, and cousins, Dainah and Brett.  He leaves to mourn his loving parents, Ian and Ruth Ann; daughters, Sophie and Taylor; ex-wife Lindsay, girlfriend and partner Holly, his brother Patrick (Abby) and nieces Madelyn and Sadie, also, uncles, aunts and many cousins.  

He spoke fondly of the friends and coaches he played with during his athletic and business career, still keeping in touch with many.  One of his proudest moments in sport wasn’t as a player but being on the ice hoisting the Stanley cup three times with Patrick.  He was so proud of his brother and his accomplishments.

Chris was a gentle, kind person with a great sense of humour. He was thrilled that he became known for his expertise in making two cakes and that friends requested them for special occasions, however he would not reveal his recipes!  He loved his dogs through the years and was talking about another basset.

He will be forever loved and truly missed. Flowers are gracefully declined. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Calgary Humane Society, 4455 – 110th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB  T2C 2T7, Telephone: (403)205-4455, www.calgaryhumane.ca or to the Thunder Bay Regional Cancer Care, 980 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 6V4, www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca/memorial.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Chris’ family here.

In living memory of Christopher Sharp, 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.