Hillyerd Ruddy

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Crossfield Community Center

May 6, 2022 - 2:00 PM

Our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and neighbour, Hillyerd Ruddy passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2020. Although he spent the last year of his life in Calgary at the Fanning Center, he was a life long resident of the Crossfield community where he was born, grew up, married, and raised a family on the farm.

He met and married Heather Macaulay in February 1955. They bought a quarter section of land west of Crossfield and started to raise a family. Ken, Gordon, Frank, Donald, Lorraine and Allan were all born during this time. In 1981, they moved to the original Ruddy homestead northeast of Crossfield. Hillyerd and Heather were active members in the community - Hillyerd cleared the outdoor ice rink, coached hockey teams, drove kids to boy scouts, 4H grain club and dairy club, basketball, ski hills and music lessons. He was a member of the Recreation Board and involved in the fund raising and building of the Pete Knight Arena. He was in the Elks club for over 40 years and a life long member of the Legion - helping with the annual poppy campaign and awarding prizes at the school for the Remembrance Day posters. 

He was also a member of the Crossfield Old Timers society before he was even eligible - he checked coats for 20 years before he was old enough to join. Later in life he was active in the Golden Key club and enjoyed singing with the group there. Music and laughter were often a part of wherever Hillyerd was, and then there was cribbage. He liked nothing better than the table to be cleared and the crib board to come out - he taught his kids, his grandkids and anyone else who cared to play. He was still playing cribbage this year and winning more than losing. He was patient and kind and had a twinkle in his eye when he told a story. He had a lap large enough to rock one or two babies when cuddles were needed. His eyes lit up when Craig, Kylie, Zac, Cole or Reilly showed up for a visit. He was hard working, fun loving, quick to lend a hand, and to share a chuckle. He had the biggest tie collection, thanks to family and friends alike, and he never turned down a piece of pie. He always asked good questions and took an interest in those around him.

He is lovingly rememebred by his sisters, Hazel Foreman and Anne Lozinski (Michael); his brother, Neil (Pat); his children, Gordon, Frank (Barb), Donald (Robin), Lorraine (Dave), Allan (Amanda); and Anne Louise’s children Mary Catherine (David) and Angela (Doug); and numerous grandchildren, and great-grand children. He was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Jim; and his sister, Gladys. He lost his wife, Heather in 2005, and then married Anne Louise Crawley in 2007, who passed away in 2018. He was also predeceased by his eldest son, Ken.

The family also wishes to thank the 3West team at the Fanning Center for the loving care they provided - they too called him Dad, Uncle or Poppa. 

"In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, which ultimately supports the wonderful team, led by Dr. Muruve, at the Shumir Nephrology Clinic."

A Celebration of Life for our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and neighbour, Hillyerd Ruddy will be held at the Crossfield Community Hall on Friday, May 6, 2022 at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Kidney Foundation, 6007 – 1A Street SW, Calgary, AB, T2H 0G5.