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Thomas Ward
February 8, 1929 - October 27, 2016
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<div itemprop="description">WARD, Thomas (Tom) Earl <br> <br>February 8, 1929 - Winnipeg, Manitoba <br>October 27, 2016 - Calgary, Alberta <br> <br>Everyone who knew Tom experienced his larger than life character and a man who was devoted to his family and career with a boisterous approach to having fun. <br> <br>He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on February 8, 1929 to Evelyn and Earl Ward. Tom grew up in humble surroundings in Winnipeg. His father Earl was killed in a railway accident in 1946 when he and his brother Ralph were just 17 and 12 years of age. <br> <br>Shortly after graduating from Daniel McIntyre Collegiate, Tom went to work for the Prudential Assurance Company of England where he spent his entire 44 year career until retirement in 1991. During the early days in the ‘50’s, Tom covered most of south central Manitoba and north western Ontario on the road as an adjuster until he moved to Calgary, first in 1956 and then permanently in 1961 as general manager, western region. Tom loved his many friends and colleagues in the business and was proud of his achievements in western Canada. He was always grateful for the great group of people he worked with and for the solid institution that was The Pru. He never forgot to say so. <br> <br>In retirement, Tom continued to enjoy golf and travel particularly with family and friends and always with Margaret, the cornerstone of his family and principles. Tom and Margaret were married at St. Alban’s Church in Winnipeg in 1950 and started raising a family in 1952. Dougie and Greg were born in Winnipeg and Jeff and Brian were born in Calgary. Dougie was tragically lost to them in 1956 however the family continued to flourish in Calgary with Tom’s strong leadership and Margaret’s quiet and determined dignity at 3719, the house-on-the-corner of 31st street. All the neighborhood kids were familiar with Tom’s booming voice when he called for dinner - time to end the football game in the park and head home. <br> <br>Uncharacteristically, Tom died peacefully and quietly at Rockyview Hospital. He was predeceased by Margaret, his wife and best friend of 65 years and his parents Evelyn and John Earl. He is survived by his three sons Greg (Darlene), Jeff (Solveig) and Brian (Elizabeth), his grandsons Earl, Justin and Jonathon and his granddaughter Emily, along with his brother Ralph (Phyllis) and their children Dave, Jim and Karen and their respective families. <br> <br>We would like to thank the caregivers at the internal medicine unit at RGH and Tom’s companions from Comfort Keepers who enjoyed his humour, his stories and his respectful disposition. <br> <br>Friends and family will celebrate Tom’s life at Earl Grey Golf Club on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. Donations are respectfully requested to be made in his name to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, www.kidney.ca .</div>