It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Elwood Lloyd George Petrick, born March 13, 1934 to William and Loretta Petrick in Loverna, Saskatchewan. He spent the first twelve years of his life in New Brigden, Alberta, and then moved with his family to Oyen. After completing high school he played baseball and worked for the Wilder Brothers at Fairmont Hot Springs, BC, as well as at the Lake Louise Lodge in the summer. It was while working for a geophysical company that he married Winona Scory of Oyen on December 31, 1955, a union that would last 51 years in which they were blessed with seven children: Bradley, Mitchell, Brent, Craig, Lori, Leslie and Jeffrey.
In September of 1957, Elwood became the 25th employee of Alberta Gas Trunk Line, and embarked upon a long and rewarding career with the company, later known as Nova Corporation. In the early years, Elwood and Winona moved between many company locations as an extensive pipeline network was under construction in Southern Alberta, including Oyen, Cavendish, Drumheller, Brooks and finally to Calgary. At every stop, Woody’s passion for community and sport would shine through as he was engaged with each at every level. He volunteered and gave so much of himself to all around him.
Elwood served as District Superintendent in Brooks, Calgary and Airdrie for many years, a role he was well suited to as he had the opportunity to provide support to hundreds of employees over the years. A great many lifelong friendships arose out of his working career. Elwood then had the good fortune to work overseas with Novacorp International towards the end of his career, including periods in Australia, Turkey, Italy, and Malaysia. Elwood retired in 1992 and lived in Brooks for two years, then traveled for long periods in a motorhome before choosing to settle into the golf lifestyle at Gleneagles in Cochrane, which he enjoyed immensely. Winter months were spent in Roadhaven Resort at Apache Junction, Arizona, along with the hundreds of friends Elwood and Nona had made along the way and over the years. There were many 19th holes at Roadhaven.
Elwood was regarded as a strong and gentle man by the many who knew him. His sense of humour and love for his family was unending. Elwood leaves to mourn his loving wife Winona (nee Scory), son Bradley Lloyd (Leona Fleury), son Elwood Brent (Teresa Paul), son Craig Ivan, daughter Leslie Gae (Dale Guidi), and son Jeffrey Allan. Nine grandchildren (Jason, Carmen, Victor, Anna-Marie, Troy, Nicole, Stephanie, Christian and Lescia) and one great-grandchild (Taylor) all loved hockey games, camping, fishing and telling stories with their “Grandpa Woody”.
Elwood was predeceased by his parents William (d1972) and Loretta (d1960), his son Mitchell William (d1977) and daughter Loretta Ann (d1978), his infant grandchildren Connor and Michelle, Winona’s parents Michael Thomas “Gigi” (d1987) and Anna Martha “Baba” (d1997), his brother William John “Bill” (d1992), his brother Weldon John “Shorty” (d1997) and wife Isabell (d1996), and brother-in-law Peter Meyer (d2004).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Mission Mexico, c/o Fr. Fred Monk at St. Mary’s Parish in Cochrane (fmonk@pathcom.ca) or to the Alberta Lung Foundation (www.ab.lung.ca)
Prayers will be held Tuesday, January 23 at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church (1600 Acadia Drive SE, Calgary)
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church at 1 pm on Wednesday, January 24
