Obituary of Quentin Ward Sundberg

August 14, 1927 - Alix, Alberta

April 30, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Quentin Ward Sundberg of Calgary, AB, passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at the age of 96 years.  Quentin was the beloved husband of Marion and devoted father of Scot and Kevin.

Quentin’s mother Ruth passed away when Quentin was four years old. Quentin, his brother Lyall, and infant sister Corrine were taken in by their maternal grandparents, Roland and Maude Moore. In their early years, they were raised on the Moore Ranch in the Mount Pleasant District, east of Innisfail, spending happy times with many cousins and relatives. They then moved in with their aunt and uncle, Dorothy and Elling Conner. At eleven years of age, Quentin and Lyall moved to the farm and ranching home of paternal aunt and uncle, Pearl (Sunny) and Frank Eaton in Alix Alberta, where fond memories and stories were created.

Quentin attended secondary school in Alix. Here, he participated in a variety of school sports including fastball, basketball, tennis, cycling, swimming, and skating. He helped on the Eaton ranch before going to the University of Alberta and UBC, where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree. While at UBC, his interest in flying enticed him to join the “Aero Club”, inspiring him to obtain his Private Pilot License in 1950. He worked his way up to become a commercial pilot with Trans-Canada Airlines (TCA), which eventually became Air Canada. He flew both domestic and transcontinental flights for many years.

After Quentin met and married the love of his life Marion Cameron in 1959, they settled permanently in Calgary. They spent the next 58 years together until her passing in 2018.

Quentin and Marion enjoyed an active life together. They loved cooking and dining and often enjoyed gourmet meals. They both participated in recreational sports, including tennis, racquetball, badminton, skiing, and curling. They were founding and long-time members of the Calgary Winter Club. They also enjoyed traveling the world, which took them to numerous amazing places such as the South Pacific, the UK, Scandinavia, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, and France.

They welcomed two sons into their family, Scot and Kevin.  Quentin was a very devoted father.  The boys have taken after their Dad and have grown into lovely gentle souls. 

By this time Quentin had given up his flying career to spend more time at home.  With his love and aptitude for languages, he studied to become a secondary school language teacher; and eventually taught at William Aberhart High School in Calgary.

Quentin also became very active in the Calgary Cerebral Palsy Association for many years, serving in several capacities including President.

Quentin, Marion, and Scot traveled almost every summer for over 40 years to the Okanagan Valley to visit with paternal cousins and friends. Quentin was a voracious reader and enjoyed music. He had quite a collection of music from classical to jazz and was a novice piano player.

After retiring from teaching, Quentin became a real estate agent for several years.  He knew Calgary well and enjoyed meeting and helping people.

Quentin always kept up with the times. There were many interesting conversations and he conversed easily on everything from world politics and current affairs to family history or even entertainment personalities -usually with a smattering of French (or even Latin) thrown in throughout the conversation.

Unfortunately, Quentin had a fall at 95 years young and was not able to return to living independently in his own home. The family would like to thank the staff and professionals at Bow View Manor for all their care and assistance over the past year.  A very special thank you goes to Kristine Spear, a family friend and caregiver to Scot, who assisted Quentin tremendously during his last years.  Also special thanks to loyal neighbours Joan Corbeil and Denis DuFresne for their kindness over the years and their help in looking after the house and yard for Quentin.

Quentin was predeceased by his wife Marion Sundberg, brother and sister-in-law, Lyall and Jeanne Sundberg; his parents, Oscar and Ruth Sundberg; and the loving aunts and uncles who raised him.

He is survived by his sons, Scot and Kevin Sundberg; his sister Corrine (Sunny) Sundberg, nieces Linda Vause, Leslie Leinweber, and Patricia Dicken and their families; and by numerous cousins and long-time friends throughout western Canada. 

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McInnis & Holloway (Calgary Crematorium, 3219 – 4th Street NW, Calgary, AB, within the valley of Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Calgary Crematorium, 3219 – 4th Street NW, Calgary, AB, within the valley of Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Inurnment Service to follow Calgary Crematorium Columbarium (3219 – 4th Street NW, Calgary, AB, within the valley of Queen’s Park Cemetery). Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made in Quentin’s honour directly to the Calgary Cerebral Palsy Kids and Families, 7015 Macleod Trail #121 SW, Calgary, AB T2H 2K6, Tel: 403-205-4935, www.calgarycp.org/giving or to the Universal Rehabilitation Service Agency (URSA), 808 Manning Rd NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7N8, Tel: 403-272-7722,  www.ursa-rehab.com/about/donate/.

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

In living memory of Quentin Ward Sundberg, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Calgary Crematorium, 3219 – 4th Street NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 3A6, Telephone: 403-299-0111.