Obituary of Stuart Iain THORPE

August 20, 1965 – Edinburgh, Scotland August 16, 2014 – Calgary, Alberta Stu Thorpe, beloved husband of Donna Switzer of Calgary, passed away on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at the age of 48 years. Stu was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on August 20, 1965. He immigrated to Canada on September 26, 1965 and lived in Dawson Creek B.C. The family eventually moved to Calgary. He started his education at Mill Woods Elementary, Sherwood Park. He then attended Louis Riel Elementary / Jr. High and Henry Wise Wood High school in Calgary. Stu was very proud to have completed the Apprentice Landscape Gardening Program at Olds College. In 2006 he met the love of his life, Donna Switzer. Together they enjoyed volunteering for their community in organizations such as Alberta Bobsled, Globelfest and the Calgary Stampeders. He also volunteered many years with the Chestermere Fire Department. In his professional life he worked for Professional Gardeners, Ledcor as a laborer and finally HR Reit Management at the Bow Tower. He had many passions which included Formula One racing, airplanes/aeronautics, baseball and soccer. Stu was proud of many achievements in his life such as his emergency medical responder certificate, coaching the Jamaican bobsleigh team at Lillehammer Olympic games in 1994, stunt driver in the movie “Cool Runnings” and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold award. His greatest achievement that brought him the greatest pride was his children. Stu is survived by his children, Zachary Thorpe and Cassandra Thorpe; his first wife Lisa (Jim) Annan, all of Calgary; his father John Thorpe of De Winton, AB; brother Bruce Thorpe; sister Helen (Jim) and her children Andrew, Matthew and Tyree Manzara of Lethbridge, AB; mother in law Edna Switzer; sister in law Grace (Brian) Gancarz and her children Jacqueline (Ryan) and Rylee Potter; sister in law Stella (Murray) Lone and her children Chad, Kevin (Allison), Ty and Julia; brother in law Albert Switzer; and numerous family, friends and colleagues. He was predeceased by his mother Frances Thorpe; his grandparents, Oliver Telfer and Dorothy and Horace Thorpe and his cousin Mark Thorpe of Bourne, England Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North) on Monday, August 25, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A celebration of Stuart’s life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North) on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. The family requests that attendees please dress casual. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to either the Alberta Bobsled Association, Bob Niven Training Centre Rm. 205 88 Canada Olympic Road S.W., Calgary, Alberta T3B 5R5, Telephone: 403 -297 – 2721 or The Calgary Fire Cadet Academy, 5727 – 23 Avenue SE Calgary, AB T2B 3E2, Telephone: 403-268-8774, in Stuart’s name. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses in both the emergency room and ICU units of the Rockyview General Hospital. In living memory of Stuart Thorpe, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, Telephone: 403-276-2296.