Obituary of Wayne Samuel Zahursky

January 6, 1938 - Calgary, Alberta

September 2, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

We sadly announce the passing of Wayne after a brief battle with cancer on Monday, September 2, 2024, at the age of 86 years.

Wayne was born in Calgary to Samuel and Jean Zahursky.  He was the eldest of seven siblings, and he spent his youth growing up in Arrowwood, AB.  At 18 he started working at The Bank of Nova Scotia as a teller and worked his way up to manager. He remained dedicated to the bank for 42 years as the bank transferred him around Saskatchewan and Alberta. He lived in Airdrie, Yorkton, Lloydminster, Edmonton, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Alysham, Hudson Bay, Regina, Saskatoon, and Shellbrook before finally retiring in Calgary.

He spent many years volunteering in various ways with the Kinsmen Clubs.  His hobbies included watching the stock markets, listening to country music, attending concerts, researching genealogy and reading biographies. He was a dedicated Stampeders and Riders fan and enjoyed curling in the winters. 

He made many camping and road trips in Canada and the United States.  Once he retired in 1997 that’s when the travel bug kicked in and inspired the rest of us. They visited all seven continents and 122 countries, with Antarctica being his favourite.  He loved the wildlife in Africa, the Galapagos Islands, and Costa Rica, especially the gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda, and orangutangs in Borneo.

He was a quiet, kind, forgiving, gentleman (not openly expressive of his love), yet we all knew when he was annoyed by his gritting teeth (which usually had a toothpick between them) and his flailing hands when he was excited. 

He is survived by his wife of almost 59 years, Audrey, daughter Alison (Ken) Nelson, and son Al (Monica) Zahursky.  He was proud of his grandchildren, Brandon (Kristi), Tynan and Kale (Kim) Nelson, and Zoelle Zahursky. He leaves behind siblings, Joan (Bruce) Gateman, Lois (Gordon) King, Gordon Zahursky, and Barb Mainwaring. 

He is predeceased by his parents, Samuel and Jean Zahursky, granddaughter Alana, his brothers, Roy and Carl, and his brother-in-law Barrie Mainwaring.

A Celebration of Wayne’s Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., there will be an open mic for those wishing to share memories and stories with Wayne's family and friends.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca or a charity of your choice.

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

In living memory of Wayne Zahursky, 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.