George Warne

WARNE _ George Allan Montague George Warne, beloved father of Len, Ron, Sue and Tom, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at the age of 82. Born on December 17, 1925 at Elk Point, Alberta, he spent his younger years in the St. Paul - Bonnyville area. Prior to graduating from Lamont High School, George was called to war and served for nearly three years in the Canadian Armed Forces in Europe. Upon his return to Canada, he attended the University of Alberta, graduating with a B.Sc. in electrical engineering in 1951. He was employed with Calgary Power before commencing his fifty-four year career in the petroleum industry, joining the Oil & Gas Conservation Board (now the ERCB) in 1954, and was Technical Assistant to the Board when he retired in 1986. Around this time George began what would be a thirty year relationship with the Canadian Association of the World Petroleum Congress. The WPC soon became his passion. George was proud to be part of the WPC and their goal of promoting Canada's knowledge and expertise in the petroleum industry to the world. As Regional Secretary and later as Secretary-Treasurer, George was instrumental in organizing programs and congresses including those in Bucharest, London, Houston, Buenos Aires, Stavanger, Beijing, Calgary, Rio de Janeiro and Johannesburg. He was especially proud of his efforts to bring the Congress to Calgary in 2000. At the time of his death, George was focused on final preparations for the 2008 World Petroleum Congress in Madrid, Spain and was greatly looking forward to attending. His contributions to the petroleum industry were recognized in 2001 when he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Calgary Section of the Petroleum Society of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum. George's dedication was not restricted to the petroleum industry. He devoted much of his time and effort to his community and volunteer causes, working tirelessly for the Cambrian Heights Community Association and in more recent years for the ANAF Veterans Unit and The Poppy Fund. With all his commitments, George still found time for family. He met Wanda at the ERCB back in 1953, and fell in love with her on the dance floor at Penley's Dance Hall. They were married in 1958 and became partners not only in dance but also in his business and volunteer activities, and in raising a family - a partnership that lasted until Wanda's passing in 2005. But George's dedication to his family continued. He ensured regular get-togethers with his children and siblings and looked forward to his visits with the relatives overseas. He took a special interest in his six grandsons and spoiled his pups, Yogi and Benji. His few spare moments were occupied with dancing (George and Wanda were long-time members of the Gadabouts/Prairie Winds Square Dance Club), travelling, gardening and chatting with friends. Everyone knew George. In all aspects of his life - career, volunteer work, hobbies and family, George's dedication shone through. And with each endeavor George found strong support and new friendships that would last a lifetime. His accomplishments and his relationships were a source of great pride, and the family would like to thank those who supported and contributed to his efforts throughout the years. George will forever be remembered for his keen mind, gentlemanly spirit, strength and dedication, his quiet sense of humour and his tomato plants. He will be lovingly remembered by his children Ron (Michelle), Suzanne Haun (Gord), Tom (Charmaine), and Leonard; his grandsons, Michael (Holly), Ryan, Matthew, Alex, Chris and Jack, all of Calgary; his brothers Donald of Vernon, Harry (Elsie) of Olds; his sisters Anne Adams of Calgary, Iris (Earl) Storie and Shirley (Jim) Hutchison of Edmonton; numerous nieces and nephews and his beloved relatives overseas. George was predeceased by his wife Wanda, brother Jimmy, mother Susannah and father Frederick, and his stepmother Elsie. A Memorial Service will be held at FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 - 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen's Park Cemetery) on Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of George may be made to Calgary Poppy Fund, 1, 4539 - 6 Street N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 3Z6 or the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation, Oncology Department, 2888 Shaganappi Trail N.W., Calgary, AB T3B 6A8. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family at www.mem.com . FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORIUM. Telephone: 297-0888 Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial