BOYD
1936 - 2009
It is with great sadness that the family of Mr. William "Larry" Boyd announces his sudden passing on Monday, December 28, 2009 in Red Deer, Alberta at the age of 73 years. Larry was born in Craigmyle, Alberta on August 19, 1936. He attended school there also and during that time he sang in church. Larry began working Seismic at the age of 15. From the age of 18 until 20, he served in the Navy on the HMCS Cornwallis covering 1954 - 1956. While there in 1955, he won the Vancouver Island Golden Gloves for the Navy. Growing up and throughout his life, Larry played baseball, fastball, curling, boxing, golf, pool, and shuffleboard. While in Cochrane, Larry started the first rural "Beaver Colony" in Canada an offshoot of the Cubs and Scouts program. From there and into Calgary, Larry started ball clubs, bicycle clubs, petroleum clubs, and swimming clubs. Larry's work in Seismic led to 27 years of service for Shell Canada Ltd. He found himself in many areas of Alberta including Jumping Pound, Manyberries, Cranberry, and then Fenn - Big Valley. It was during this time in Stettler that he met Helen Walker, they were married in 1989. Larry was involved in the Alberta Summer Games of 1991 in Stettler and within a few years Larry got out of the oilfield business and began his community work. He spent a lot of his time at Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 59 managing it for three years. Larry and Helen made a lot of visits to various Legions throughout Alberta and other places. Phoenix, Las Vegas and Hawaii were a couple of places they visited over the years. Larry and Helen also spent twelve enjoyable winters in Victoria, British Columbia. When not busy travelling, volunteering, or being at the Legion, Larry kept himself occupied puttering around fixing things, a few projects were always underway as he located various pieces. Larry is survived by his loving wife, Helen Walker Boyd, his son, Lance (Denyse) Boyd, his daughter Loranne Gerlitz, mother, Miriam, brothers, Bill and Dave, his sisters, Mary, Marlene, June, Joan, Alice, Hilda, his stepchildren, Brian, Sharon, Corrie, Jim, Katherine, along with many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Larry was predeceased by his first wife, Marge (nee Schneider), brothers, Gwynvor and John Rees as well as a sister, Mary Kittridge (nee Rees). Larry will also be missed by his many friends and professional colleagues. A memorial service for Larry will be held at EVENTIDE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 4820 - 45 Street, Red Deer, Alberta on Monday, January 4, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. If desired donations in Larry's memory may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 - 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 2P5 or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, #101, 5208 - 53 Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta, T4N 5K2. Condolences may be forwarded to the family at www.eventidefuneralchapels.com
Service & Interment Providers:
EVENTIDE FUNERAL CHAPELS
4820 - 45th Street, Red Deer.
Phone (403) 347-2222.