Obituary of Verdun Bernard FERGUSON

Verdun (Vern) Bernard Ferguson beloved husband of Norma Ferguson passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 13, 2014 at the age of 98 years at Agape Hospice with his family at his side. He was the youngest child of Frederick and Annie Ferguson who moved from Fulham, England to Calgary in 1910. Vern was born on March 20, 1916 in Calgary and never moved away. He spoke fondly of the 'good old days' playing down in the Eau Claire district and riding the street car out to Bowness Park. He worked for the Alberta Treasury Branch, Arrow Lumber Sales, and later retired in 1981 as a credit union examiner for the provincial government. Vern was an avid sportsman. He hunted in the early years with his Springer Spaniels, and was also a trainer and judge for the field trial championships. Vern spent many years both coaching and refereeing hockey, and was the founder of the Calgary Referees Association, where he refereed his last game at age 83. He belonged to the seniors outdoor clubs Skrastins and Second Sixties. He had a love for cross country skiing, hiking, golfing and got a hole-in-one at age 85. He loved fishing for salmon on the West Coast, and watching all kinds of sports. His football team was the Calgary Stampeders and he was a season ticket holder for many years, originally watching them play at Mewata Stadium. Vern was also passionate about his garden, where he spent many happy days in his retired years. He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-five years, Norma; daughter and son-in-law Carol and James, sons and daughters-in-law Barry and Cathi, and Glen and Patty; nine grandchildren, Michelle, Christine (Ben), Jessica, Brady, Carly, Jamie, Tucker, Tanner, Evan; great-grandson Chase, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Frederick and Annie, and siblings Winnie, Johnny and Roy. At Vern's request, there will be no formal service; a Memorial Gathering will be held at the CALGARY CREMATORIUM CHAPEL, 3219 – 4th Street N.W., (within the valley of Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 2:00p.m. Please forward condolences through www.calgarycrematorium.com. Thank you to the staff at the Agape Hospice and Unit 73 at the Rockyview General Hospital. He will truly be missed by all.