Obituary of Laverne Droppo

Laverne H. Droppo passed away on October 26, 2011 in Calgary at 80 years of age. Laverne, or “Vern” to many friends, was born on April 12, 1931 at Okotoks, Alberta to parents, Kay and Ross Droppo. Laverne was raised with his younger brother, Bob, by the light of the flares in the Turner Valley oil boom. He worked, as operator of an oilfield battery and collecting and selling oilfield scrap metal, while attending the South Turner Valley High School, where he was a superb athlete known for his hockey and baseball (catcher) skills. He fell in love with and married his high school sweetheart, Olga. Laverne and Olga moved from Millarville to Calgary in 1956 and raised three children, Dallas, Janet and Michael in Calgary’s Meadowlark Park Community. He was an avid curler. Laverne began his career at the Home Oil Company where, during the late 50’s, he was a field expeditor located in Barrhead and Swan Hills, Alberta. In 1961 he returned to Calgary and, as one of the province’s first landmen, joined the land department of a then, new company, Alberta Gas Trunk Line (which later became NOVA and then TransCanada Pipeline Company). Laverne loved his career as a surface landman, and made countless friends in almost every rural community in Alberta. In 1995 Laverne retired, took up golf, and devoted substantial time to his other love, baseball. Laverne was an avid fan of the Calgary Cannons and, later the Toronto BlueJays. He was watching the World Series unfold during his last days. Laverne is survived by his children, brother and numerous grandchildren and great-grand children. A Memorial Celebration was held at CALGARY CREMATORIUM CHAPEL, 3219 – 4th Street N.W., (within the valley of Queen’s Park Cemetery on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area – Box 20, Site 23, RR#8, Calgary, Alberta T2J 2T9. HERITAGE FUNERAL SERVICES