Obituary of Paul Eric Pickering

July 8, 1965 – Calgary, Alberta

June 26, 2024 – St. Albert, Alberta

Paul Eric Pickering, born in Calgary, AB, to Eric and Helen Pickering on July 8, 1965, was a man who lived his life with extraordinary passion and talent. Raised in the majestic Crowsnest Pass, Paul grew up seeing the beauty in the world and translated it into everything he did throughout his life of 58 years.

Paul embraced life as his personal art form, and his accomplishments over the years were truly awe-inspiring. In his youth, Paul was a member of ski racing teams and even won a Red Bull Big Mountain Challenge, proudly keeping the hats as proof! His creativity also led him to design his own custom skis and bindings for Salomon. Paul’s talents extended far beyond the slopes; he excelled in mountain biking, luge, and school sports. As a motocross racer, he won countless races and was sponsored by renowned brands such as Honda and KTM, holding the title of number one in northern Alberta for many years. He recently taught himself to play the guitar and write songs, adding to his many creative endeavors. He had the ability to shine in anything he set his mind to.

Professionally, Paul was passionate and took pride in his career as a heavy equipment operator, which led him to Alberta's oil sands and British Columbia's coal mines. There wasn’t a piece of heavy equipment that Paul couldn’t operate.

His talents as an artist included detailed dioramas of underground mines, airbrushing helmets for NHL hockey players, painting surfboards, and creating stunning pen and ink drawings of wildlife and scenery. He also collected parts from around the world to build a one-of-a-kind mountain bike and once spent three days perfecting a giant Sasquatch snowman sculpture. Everything he touched became a masterpiece.

Paul was a truly gifted, one-of-a-kind human whose presence was felt deeply in every room he entered. Whether he was making people laugh until they cried with his unique sense of humour or inspiring them just by being the incredible person he was, Paul’s life will forever be a testament to living fiercely and passionately. He will be deeply missed but forever remembered by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

His heart and deepest pride will forever belong to his daughters, Kristin (Chris), Erica (Jeremy), and Brooke; and his two precious grandsons, Chase and Riley. He deeply adored his brother Kevin (Jeannie), his sister Rosanne (Stan), his nieces and nephews, Maria, Nolan, Dan (Courtney), Andrea, Tyler (Sam), and Jason; as well as his great-nephew Bodie and great-niece Myla.

Paul was predeceased by his father Eric in 1999 and his mother Helen in 2018, as well as his special furry friends, Skippy and Buffer.

Family and friends will be invited to a graveside service and memorial to be announced at a later date.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Paul's family here.

In living memory of Paul Pickering, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.