Obituary of Paul Wanklyn

April 13, 1957 – Estevan, Saskatchewan

December 9, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Paul Wanklyn on Monday, December 9, 2024, after a 19-month battle with Glioblastoma. Paul was a devoted husband to Anne, and loving father to Jillian and Joel and will be forever remembered for his engaging personality, warm smile, and unwavering optimism.

In 1962, Paul’s family moved to Calgary, AB, where he quickly embraced all the area had to offer. When Paul was twelve, he got a summer job as a caddy at Canyon Meadows Golf Club. He soon convinced his parents to buy a membership and thus began his lifelong obsession with golf, a sport that led to enduring friendships and countless golf trips with friends and family. Paul later became a longtime member of both the Calgary Golf and Country Club, and Victoria Golf Club, places dear to his heart, and where he spent countless hours perfecting his game.

His family also took up skiing and their many memorable trips instilled a love of the mountains that later morphed into both ice and rock climbing. He and a group of overly confident but alarmingly unqualified high school friends survived a number of hair-raising adventures that caused his mother many sleepless nights. Adding to her stress, Paul’s uncle introduced him to heli-skiing and back-country touring, both of which he excelled at. It was on one of these trips he met the two men who would become his mentors and set him on his future career in oil and gas, Jim Gray, and John Masters of Canadian Hunter.

Paul completed a business degree at UofA and immediately immersed himself in its intensely competitive intramural scene. He was a proud member of the notorious Dirt Shooters team, many of whom are still close friends. He then furthered his education with a master’s degree in geology from U of Colorado, Boulder.

Paul had an entrepreneurial spirit, and after a successful career as a geologist at Canadian Hunter, he formed a series of companies with close friends and colleagues. Starting with Tidal Energy, followed by Temple Exploration, he ultimately finished his career at Pipestone Energy. Paul loved everything about the oil business, especially the art of deal-making, and the daily interaction with both staff and colleagues.

Paul met his future bride Anne in the bar at Lake Louise when they were both in university. After a “brief” seven-year courtship, they were married and enjoyed 40 happy years together. They introduced their children to hiking, skiing, and golfing and had many wonderful family trips, where at least one of these sports had to be on the agenda. They were also fortunate to have great friends with common interests and shared many wonderful holidays with them over the years. Paul cherished his friends and family, and any chance encounter included a beaming smile, accompanied by a hearty handshake or a warm hug.

Paul will be forever remembered by his wife Anne, his two adoring children, Jillian and Joel, his mother Val, sister Barb (Steve) Stretch, and his many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Bob.

Paul’s family wishes to thank Dr. Tsang, Dr. Nordall, and the nursing team at the Arthur Child Cancer Centre for giving Paul such excellent care. The family also wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at the Chinook Hospice Centre for the compassion and kindness they showed to all our family members during Paul’s brief time there.

A Celebration of Paul’s Life will be held at Calgary Golf & Country Club (1 block west of the intersection of Elbow Drive & 50th Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB) on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes to the Hotchkiss Brain Institute may be made directly to the University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Telephone (403) 220 - 2470 www.hbi.ucalgary.ca/contact/giving-to-HBI.  In the memo line, please designate the Hotchkiss Brain Institute.

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

In living memory of Paul Wanklyn, 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.