Obituary of Perry James McIsaac

January 17, 1963 – Edmonton, Alberta

December 4, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, Perry James McIsaac passed away in the loving arms of his wife and daughter, after years of living with early onset Alzheimer’s and Posterior Cortical Atrophy, at the age of 61 years.

A small-town boy from Stettler, AB, Perry met his wife Kathy in high school, where they became high school sweethearts. They would continue to grow together for the next 45 years, going on countless adventures, from moving to Vancouver to travelling to India for several weeks.

Perry’s dedication and passion for weightlifting was a strong part of his identity, and he loved going to the gym with his wife and daughter. Perry was an avid reader, reading everything from horror to mountaineering books, and when he was unable to read anymore, he would listen to audiobooks every night.

He loved music, still listening to his thousands of songs on his 2012 iPod and was very competitive about being the first to name the artist when a song started playing. He was so excited to see the musicals, “Jesus Christ Superstar” and ‘Hamilton” in person with his family, and Perry would be the first to play Christmas music, even if sometimes that was in July.

An avid walker, Perry loved to go for long walks and particularly enjoyed sitting on his bench and soaking up the sun. He found great comfort in meditation, even if that often resulted in him simply napping on the couch. Perry’s humour and witty jokes will be well remembered by all who loved him. A respected journeyman pipefitter, he worked hard to provide for his family.

When his daughter, India was born, Perry dedicated countless days to going above and beyond in every aspect. He drove to countless swim meets and ski races, spending many wonderful days in the mountains learning how to ski and cheering his daughter on in races. He never complained about the extra work with sports and was always so supportive and proud.

Perry took every challenge of his disease in stride. When his vision began to go, he learned to adapt the best he could. He would follow his family up mountain trails, tripping on every root and rock, but adamant to continue to try. Even on the days where he would put his shirt on as pants or struggle to make a sandwich, he would be the first to crack a joke and laugh at himself.

One of Perry’s last requests was that his brain go to research to one day find a cure for this horrible disease. Although he knew they would not find a cure in his lifetime, he had hopes that one day his brain would help others.

Perry was so loved; he is survived by his wife Kathy and daughter India; his mother Bernice; brothers, Greg (Carla), and Tom (Deb); sister Angie (Ian); his sister-in-law Linda, and brother-in-law Robin (Lorin); and numerous nephews, nieces and friends. He is pre-deceased by his father James McIsaac, stepfather Gerry Welsh, and brother-in-law Doug Wallace.

There will be a private family gathering to remember Perry at a later date.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories, Administrative Office, 10531 Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton AB T5H 4K1.  Tel: (1-866) 950-5465, www.alzheimer.ab.ca.

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

In living memory of Perry McIsaac, 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.