MCKEE
Robert Leslie “Les”
August 15, 1917 - Drumheller, Alberta
April 30, 2017 – Calgary, Alberta
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Les McKee of Calgary at the Colonel Belcher Veterans’ Care Centre on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at the age of 99 years. Les is lovingly remembered by his three children and their spouses; Beverly and John McKinnon of Coalhurst, Judy and Clifford Ginn of Airdrie and Keith and Sonja McKee of Airdrie. He also leaves ten grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Les is also survived by his brother-in-law Alfred (Marion) Denis as well as several nieces and nephews. Les was predeceased in 2006 by his wife of sixty-six years, Ellen. He was also predeceased by his five siblings and their spouses, Claudia and Roy Trimble, Kay and Joe Gashnitz, Vi and Sherman Browns, Percy and Enid McKee and Tim and Bill Mackie, all of Calgary. He is predeceased by in-laws, Jim and Shirley Denis and Gladys and Clarence Sulzle. Les was born and raised on the family homestead near Drumheller on August 15, 1917. In 1939, he married Ellen Denis of Midlandvale. Les was called up to serve in the Army, and shortly after their first child was born he was sent overseas during WWII. He served in several countries for most of 5 years, returning home to his family in October of 1945. For about the next 22 years, he farmed and worked as an electrician at the Midland Mine. In 1968, Les and Ellen moved to Calgary where he worked for the provincial government doing building maintenance at the J.J. Bowlen Building until his retirement in 1982. Les remained in Calgary until his passing. A Celebration of Life service will be held in Airdrie at the Grace Baptist Church (1009 East Lake Blvd, Airdrie AB) on Friday, May 5, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. Reception to follow at the church. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire memorial tributes may be made to Calgary Health Trust Vets’ Angels Program c/o Ewan Cameron, #207, 132-250 Shawville Blvd S.E., Calgary AB T2Y 2Z7 or to Samaritan’s Purse – Canada, 20 Hopewell Way N.E., Calgary, AB T3J 5H5 Telephone 1 (800) 663-6500 www.samaritanspurse.ca. The family wishes to thank the caregivers, nurses, doctors and Vets’ Angels volunteers at the Carewest Colonel Belcher Veterans’ Care Centre for all of the wonderful care and companionship they provided. In living memory of Les McKee, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Airdrie, 300 TOWERLANE DRIVE, AIRDRIE, AB. Telephone: 403-948-1100.
