A life well lived came to an end with the passing of Winston Churchill Parker on November 16, 2020. He passed away peacefully at his home in Okotoks, AB. Winston was born July 31, 1918, in Calgary, AB, the middle child of Herbert (Warrie) and Amelia (Millie) Parker
As a young boy, he broke horses that he would then ride to school. Winston attended school at Red Deer Lake, Midnapore, and Calgary Tech (SAIT). Winston participated in and won many prizes at horse shows and enjoyed playing polo. He rode for Clem Gardner for 28 years, moving cattle, branding, and trailing stock to the Calgary Stampede
Life changed, and at age 21, Winston joined the RCAF in 1939, becoming a wireless operator. He was shot down on his 13th mission to Hamburg, Germany in 1942, becoming a POW for three years and survived The Long March
Home from the war, he worked for Home Oil and bought his ranch. He always rode a good horse, sold quality calves, some for 4-H. He gave countless hours to community organizations and has many awards and lifetime memberships.
Winston retired to Okotoks in 1989, enjoying a life of travelling, golfing (a hole in one), playing cards, and visiting his many friends. Photography was also his passion, capturing photos of wildlife, flowers, foothills countryside and Millarville Church. He loved a good joke, playing a prank, and always had a story to share. All this and more can be found in his biography titled “Saddles and Service.”
Winston was many things, especially a survivor.... he survived the hard times on the prairies, the “Dirty 30’s”, WWII, The Long March, ever changing times, and COVID 19! Winston had a strong Christian faith and put his trust in God.
Our sincere thanks to Dr. Schuck and Beauty for his excellent care
Winston is predeceased by his sister Jessie Fleischman and his brother Geoffrey Parker. Winston is survived by his special friend Beauty Svazas, sister in law Pearl Parker, niece Marion (Hugh) Kennedy and family, nephew Terry (Joan) Allwarden and family, niece Nancy Allwarden (Wolf), niece Clem (Murray) Griffin and family, niece Glenda (Gerry) Mosdell and family.
Stepsons Graham (Rhonda) Cannon and family, Lorne (Sheila) Cannon and family and his extended family and all his many friends.
A private family graveside service will be held at Millarville on November 26 with a celebration of life at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, if you so desire, donations may be made to: Bomber Command Museum of Canada 1659 - 21st Ave, AB Hwy 2 South, Nanton, AB T0L 1R0 https://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/ Royal Canadian Legion Okotoks Branch #291 PO Box 937, Stn. Main, Okotoks, AB T1S1B1 https://okotokslegion.ca Foothills Country Hospice Society www.countryhospice.org
