Gyle George Welsh

WELSH, Gyle George

Gyle George Welsh quietly passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2015 after a two year battle with cancer. Gyle was born in Olds on February 11, 1939 and grew up on the family farm northwest of town. As a teenager, Gyle went to Jasper to work for outfitters and Parks Canada and has many friends from those years. He graduated from Olds College in 1958 but was drawn back to Jasper. He came home to stay in 1960 and started his backhoe/cat business, working for Parkland, Shell and many farmers.

In 1966, Gyle and Connie were married and moved a half mile from his parent’s home. Together they built their mixed farming operation, did custom haying and got into trailer sales. They sold their cows in 1980 and continued to grain farm. After renting the land out, Gyle ran a combine until it got in the way of riding and travel.

Horses were a big part of Gyle’s life whether it was riding or driving them. He was involved in colt breaking, horsemanship and jumping clinics in Jasper, locally and Australia. Whenever he got the chance, he headed for the West Country from the North Burnt Timber to the Hummingbird to ride, also to Kananaskis country, the Cypress Hills, Fort Assiniboine, Crescent Falls, Donalda and the Toleman Bridge. Pack trips on the North and South Jasper Park Boundaries were special to him.

Gyle liked to travel and was fortunate to go to Hawaii, Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, New Zealand, Australia and cruised Alaska, the Panama Canal and Caribbean. In the last few years, Gyle enjoyed quadding with family and friends and actually got his green machine stuck and dirty.

Gyle will be lovingly remembered by his friend, Louise; and her family, Vanessa, Wes, Brooklyn, Paige and Myles; brother, Dennis (Theressa) and their family, Elli, Lucas, Troy, Owen & Chantelle, Mike, Victoria and Kellsie; cousins, Dean (Irene, Bailey and Ryan), Cathy (Mike) and many very good neighbours and friends. Gyle was predeceased by his parents, George and Myrtle; and wife, Connie.

A Tribute to Gyle will be held at the Olds College Alumni Centre, on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gyle’s memory may be made to Olds & District Hospice Society, Box 70026, 5018 – 53 Street, Olds, AB, T4H 3Z0 or to S.T.A.R.S., Box 570, 1441 Aviation Park NE, Calgary, AB, T2E 8M7.