Obituary of Dennis Wells

October 8, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Dennis Wells, beloved husband of Elaine Wells (nee Martin) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at the age of 90 years.

Dennis was born in Paeora, New Zealand on April 19, 1933. He attended Auckland Boys Grammar before completing a Teaching Certificate and a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Auckland. He worked as an educator for several years before meeting Elaine, the love of his life. They were married in August 1958.

After Dennis returned to the University of Auckland to complete a Master of Arts degree, the growing Wells family moved to New Plymouth where Dennis took a position as Organizer of Special Education for that region of the country. Dennis again returned to the University of Auckland for post graduate training in psychology before the family moved to Timaru where Dennis took a position as a school psychologist.

The family’s big adventure in Canada began in 1971 when Dennis was hired to set up clinical services at the Frontenac County Board of Education in Kingston, Ontario. His journey as a school psychologist took the family briefly to Grande Prairie and then, in 1979, to Calgary, where Dennis worked for many years at the Calgary Board of Education, at Rundle College, and as a private consultant before retiring in 2003. Dennis accomplished much throughout his career as a psychologist and was particularly proud of the part he played in optimizing the well-being of children and their families.

Dennis took great joy in spending time with his family, celebrating milestones and special occasions. He often reminisced about family vacations and the great times had camping in Northern Ontario, and on trips to destinations such as Cannon Beach, Oregon; San Antonio, Texas; Atlantic Canada; and Disneyland. After retirement, Dennis and Elaine purchased their cottage on Bob’s Lake, back near Kingston, Ontario, which became a focus of wonderful family memories for many summers. Retirement also offered opportunity for Dennis and Elaine to travel, and they greatly enjoyed trips together to Hawaii, Australia, Portugal, Spain, and Ireland.

Dennis also had a passion for sport and the outdoors. He especially enjoyed hiking in the mountains, playing squash and tennis, and just relaxing on a hammock at the cottage reading a good book – usually a spy novel.

Besides his loving wife, Dennis is survived by his daughter Sharon, and four sons, Derek, Greg, Glenn and Jonathan; daughters in-law Katherine, Leslie, Christina, and Irene; Nine grandchildren, Amanda, Katherine, Amelia, Liam, Everett, Zachary, Milena, Adrian, and Quintin; and two great-grandchildren, Natalie and Jack, as well as many relatives in New Zealand.

Dennis was predeceased by his brother Ross, as well as his father, mother, and stepmother.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Monday, October 16, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join the service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Dennis Wells, 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.

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