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Stuart THORPE Obituary

Published by Calgary Herald from Aug. 20 to Aug. 25, 2014.

THORPE, Stuart (Stu) Iain
August 20, 1965 – Edinburgh, Scotland
August 16, 2014 – Calgary, Alberta
Stu Thorpe, beloved husband of Donna Switzer of Calgary, passed away on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at the age of 48 years. Stu was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on August 20, 1965. He immigrated to Canada on September 26, 1965 and lived in Dawson Creek B.C. The family eventually moved to Calgary. He started his education at Mill Woods Elementary, Sherwood Park. He then attended Louis Riel Elementary / Jr. High and Henry Wise Wood High school in Calgary. Stu was very proud to have completed the Apprentice Landscape Gardening Program at Olds College. In 2006 he met the love of his life, Donna Switzer. Together they enjoyed volunteering for their community in organizations such as Alberta Bobsled, Globelfest and the Calgary Stampeders. He also volunteered many years with the Chestermere Fire Department. In his professional life he worked for Professional Gardeners, Ledcor as a laborer and finally HR Reit Management at the Bow Tower. He had many passions which included Formula One racing, airplanes/aeronautics, baseball and soccer. Stu was proud of many achievements in his life such as his emergency medical responder certificate, coaching the Jamaican bobsleigh team at Lillehammer Olympic games in 1994, stunt driver in the movie "Cool Runnings" and The Duke of Edinburgh's Gold award. His greatest achievement that brought him the greatest pride was his children. Stu is survived by his children, Zachary Thorpe and Cassandra Thorpe; his first wife Lisa (Jim) Annan, all of Calgary; his father John Thorpe of De Winton, AB; brother Bruce Thorpe; sister Helen (Jim) and her children Andrew, Matthew and Tyree Manzara of Lethbridge, AB; mother-in-law Edna Switzer; sister-in-law Grace (Brian) Gancarz and her children Jacqueline (Ryan) and Rylee Potter; sister-in-law Stella (Murray) Lone and her children Chad, Kevin (Allison), Ty and Julia; brother-in-law Albert Switzer; and numerous family, friends and colleagues. He was predeceased by his mother Frances Thorpe; his grandparents, Oliver Telfer and Dorothy and HoraceThorpe and his cousin Mark Thorpe of Bourne, England. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North)this evening, August 25, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A celebration of Stuart's life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North) on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. The family requests that attendees please dress casual. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to either the Alberta Bobsled Association, Bob Niven Training Centre, Rm. 205, 88 Canada Olympic Road S.W., Calgary, Alberta T3B 5R5, Telephone: 403-297-2721 or The Calgary Fire Cadet Academy, 5727 - 23 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB T2B 3E2, Telephone: 403-268-8774, in Stuart's name. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses in both the emergency room and ICU units of the Rockyview General Hospital. In living memory of Stuart Thorpe, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park.


To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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19 Entries

August 29, 2014

To one of the funniest human beings I've ever crossed paths with. The only person I know who met Tony the Tiger in person (Driving the bobsled in the Visa commercial)
Still makes me laugh
Thanks for that, Stu :)
My thoughts are with the Family

August 29, 2014

Gillian Wen nee Wild

Dear John, Helen, Bruce and Donna,
I was friends with Stu for years during my university days. I spent many hours at COP watching him slide. We lost touch a long time ago but whenever I see bobsledding on tv I remember Stu, his big grin and his passion for the sport. My heart goes out to you. I will keep you all in my prayers.

August 27, 2014

Howard Dell

My heart is filled with sadness. A wonderful man, a great athlete and friend to so many. R.I.P Stuart. Your Bobsleigh family will never forget you! You are driving for God's team now.

August 27, 2014

Our deepest sympathies.
The Gudzowsky Family

August 26, 2014

Gordon Bullivant

Foothills Academy sends our sincere regrets to Zach and his family. Great dad, great family.

August 25, 2014

Eric Savage

Bruce,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.Take care brother!
Eric & Sonya Savage

August 25, 2014

Hugh O'Neill

To John, Bruce and family members....my condolences to you on the loss of Stuart, such a young man.

August 24, 2014

Cal Loomis

To my childhood Friend, your Love and memories will live on in many.

August 23, 2014

We are very sorry for loss, he was a very nice person and a great help to us .We are sending you our sympathy and condolence.
Sandor and Agi David

August 23, 2014

Condolences and love to Donna and Stu's family. He will be missed every day.
We had a lot of unfinished plans, Stuart! Keep an eye on us an make sure we do alright.
T.

August 23, 2014

Christine Louie

Dear Cassie, Zack & Family, We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad and wanted you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you! Christine, Kathryn & Alex Louie

August 22, 2014

To Donna and the family,

I will sorely miss you Stu. Enjoyed the laughs and talks we had together.

Much love,
Elaine Bliss

August 22, 2014

Luba Fillipoff

Donna
I only knew Stu for a short time but he had a great heart to help when he could. I am sorry for your loss and send you my sympathy and condolence.

August 21, 2014

Dear John and family

We are very sad to hear of Stu's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.

John and Lynn Nixon

August 21, 2014

Melonie Stanich

Dear John, Donna, Zachary, Cassie, Lisa, Bruce, Helen and families. Thinking of you all at this difficult time and sending our love.
Wendy, Melonie and Warren Stanich and family

August 21, 2014

Longacre Rihn family

Zach and Thorpe family,

We are so sorry for your loss.

The Longacre-Rihn family

August 20, 2014

Sam Bock

Dear Mr. Thorpe and all the Thorpe family and friends,

All of us in the Bobsled world are so shocked and very saddened to lose one of our great friends. For so many years, Stu and all of us went through so many adventures together, whether in Calgary for the countless hours training or racing, or in Lake Placid, or Europe enjoying what we liked most. Stu was a very gifted pilot, and helped so many, including the Jamaican team when we coached them together for the Lillihammer Olympics. Those athletes loved Stu, as did we. And we would never have done so well with out his help, ability to make the boys laugh, and ability to read a bob track. We will miss him very much, but will be sure not to let his memory pass.

We are thinking of you, and will try to keep the happier thoughts of enjoying time with Stu in our minds.

Take care,

Sam Bock

August 20, 2014

Brenda Kellsey

Dear John, Bruce, Helen, Donna and family, All my prayers are with you at this sorrowful time. Know that Stuart will always be with us in our hearts. He had touched so many lives and hIs spirit will live on in his children.

August 20, 2014

Mabel and Floyd Manzara

Dear John, Helen, Bruce and family

We are deeply saddened and sorry to hear of Stuart sudden passing, please accept our heartful sympathies and condolences.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you...

Take care of yourselves.

Love from
Mabel, Floyd and family.

Showing 1 - 19 of 19 results

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Memorial Events
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To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells

2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6

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