Obituary of James Rodney Winter Sykes

May 19, 1929 - Montreal, Quebec

January 3, 2025 - Calgary, Alberta

James Rodney “Rod” Winter Sykes passed away peacefully in his home on January 3, 2025, at the age of 95 years. A complicated man rife with contradictions, Rod lived a life uniquely his own, marked by a sharp wit, boundless self-confidence, stubbornness, and (occasionally) tenderness and generosity that could surprise even those who knew him well.

Born in Montreal to parents who believed they were fleeing the collapsing British Empire, Rod grew up in Victoria, BC. He had a calm and ordered mind, a keen interest in reading, a quick tongue (and an intimidating vocabulary), and a strong moral compass.

He enjoyed alpine rock gardening, a hobby that occupied the entire front and back yards of his Elbow Park home. His attention to his garden earned him several pages of photos in the Summer 2001 issue of Better Homes and Gardens’ Garden Ideas & Outdoor Living. He was also passionate about stamp, book, and art collecting.

Rod had fond (and detailed) memories of his time as Calgary’s mayor from 1969 to 1977. He was fiercely independent and never afraid to speak his mind, for better or worse. During these years, no one ever asked, “I wonder what Rod Sykes thinks about this issue?” (He was popular with manufacturers of newsprint and printers’ ink.)

He was very proud of his contributions to building Calgary into the vibrant city it is today and always had time for the people of Calgary.

Rod was married to Gisèle Sykes (née Séguin) for fifty-two years before she passed away in 2008. They had five children; James (Elaine), Henry (Molly), Mark (Sandi), Marie-Josée (Bruce), and Anne-Marie. These fine people and their spouses provided Rod and Gisèle with fourteen grandchildren; Jeremy, Andrew, and Evan, Chris, Natalie, and Peter, Joe and Hannah, Jessica, Sarah, and Stephanie, and Callum, Chloe, and Georgia, and two great-grandchildren, Gisele and Harrison.

Rod was predeceased by his parents and two younger sisters.

The family would like to express appreciation and gratitude to Rodelyn Manuba and the Nurse on Duty for the excellent care our father received in his home. We are also grateful to Teresa and Trixie for caring for our father and keeping his household running smoothly after 2008.

Per our father’s wishes, a private Catholic Funeral Mass for the family will be celebrated at a later date. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Rod’s family here.

In living memory of Rod Sykes, 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.