Stanley Stanford Schumacher
October 10th, 2020
Stanley Stanford, Q. C., died at the age of 87 years on October 10, 2020 in Calgary, Alberta.
With heavy hearts we announce the passing of a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Stanley Stanford Schumacher, age 87 years, from dementia in Calgary, Alberta.
Stan was born in Hanna, Alberta (1933), at the nearest hospital to his parents’ home, where they lived in Sunnynook, and where his father was the Alberta Wheat Pool agent. A few years later, they moved to Dorothy until Stan finished grade eight when the family moved - house and all - up the river to Drumheller, where Stan finished high school. In 1959, Stan graduated from the University of British Columbia with both a law degree and Bachelor of Commerce. While a student at UBC, he joined the Canadian Officer’s Training Corps (COTC). During the third phase of this training, Stan was selected as one of only four across Canada to be picked to go to Germany for four months, serving with the Royal Canadian Dragoons, as part of the British Army of the Rhine. Stan credited this training with causing the most significant changes in his life - confidence and the ability to be analytical, and most importantly, it helped him to overcome his extreme shyness. He believed this new found self assurance allowed him to go on to “do what he wanted to do” which would eventually be to enter the political arena.
After graduation, Stan articled with Eldon Woolliams Q. C. in Calgary. He was called to the bar in 1960. Due to his father’s illness, in 1962, Stan joined Knaut + Knaut in Camrose for two years, returning to Drumheller in 1964. In 1966, he joined W. R. Sandercock Q. C. until his passing in 1969.
In 1967, a redistribution of the electoral boundaries created the new federal political riding of Palliser. Stan announced his intention to run in the newly formed Palliser riding, which included Drumheller and parts of Calgary.
On June 22, 1968, Stan married Virginia Mae Brodie of Calgary. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau set an election date for June 25, 1968, but this did not stand in the way of wedding plans. Stan won the election. Mr. Sandercock was not too happy having a partner who spent most of his time out of the province. In 1971, Pat Madden joined the firm, taking much of the pressure and work load off Stan’s shoulders.
In the election of 1979, Stan ran as an Independent, because of internal conflicts, and lost to Gordon Taylor, the PC candidate.
Stan has long been a member of the Masonic Lodge in Camrose and Drumheller, and in 1966 he and other local members joined the Shriners of Al Azhar Temple in Calgary culminating in his being elected Potentate in 1985 for the entire province.
Stan decided to run in the 1986 provincial election and won the election with Don Getty as Premier. Stan was a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Alberta until 1997, with four years as Deputy Speaker and fours years as the first elected Speaker of the House. This prestigious office afforded him the opportunity to meet and travel with innumerable legislators from around the world.
Throughout the years, Stan continued his work in law and the community, eventually creating Schumacher, Gough & Co. In 2003, Stan was again presented with the Queen’s Jubilee Award.
Stan was predeceased by his parents, Louis Peter and Gladys Geraldine (nee Knudson) of Drumheller, and his sister, Jean Sakal (wife of Bill) of Calgary. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Virginia, his children David and Sandra, his grand children Noah, Sadie, Paloma, and Shalin, his sister June Bittman of Richmond, WA, and sister-in-law Beverley Snell of Calgary, and many nieces and nephews and good friends.
Because of the COVID - 19 pandemic there will only be a private function. Cremation has already taken place.
Messages:
Dear Virginia and family. Sorry to hear of Stan's passing; he will be sadly missed. Was a wonderful and always helpful person. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Dear Virginia and family; we were saddened to hear of Stan's passing. He was such a large part of the Drumheller Valley and surrounding area and represented his constituents so well. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Saddened to hear of the passing of a great man,who worked with many people in many areas. thinking of all of you in your loss.What a great legacy he has left his family & friends.
Virginia & Family Saddened by the news of Stan's passing. There is never a good day or time for this type of news but you have reason to be proud of what Stan, with your help, accomplished. May God be with you as you carry on.
Virginia and Family: Our most sincere condolences on Stan's recent passing. He was a true gentleman of the first order, and we will always remember that very unique and infectious laugh. He will be missed , but not forgotten. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this time of loss and sorrow.
Virginia. On behalf of the officers and members of Drumheller Masonic Lodge No. 146 I wish to extend our condolences to you and your family during these difficult times. Stan's pleasant demeanor will be missed by us all. Wayne M. Parry W.M.
Virginia and family. My sincere sympathies and condolences on the passing of Stan. You and the rest of us have lost a great, enjoyable and respectful man. He will be well remembered by all that knew him. I trust you have many fond memories to comfort you over these difficult times.
Virginia and family, So sorry to hear of Stan's passing. I regularly turned to him for political advice and support. Duncan Mckillop
Dear Virginia and family. Our condolences to you all I this sad time. Stan was a outstanding man who we had the pleasure of knowing well. Jim Wilson Loretta Wilson
Our most sincere condolences to Virginia, David, Sandra & families. It was a pleasure to have known & work with Stan. He will me missed.
It's with great sadness that we hear of Stan's passing. Our hearts go out to Virginia and family at this time.
I am truly sad to hear of Stan's passing, my condolences to his family. Though we were occasionally on opposite side of politics, I always found him thoughtful, passionate and genuinely a great person. As Speaker he was considered to be fair by both sides of the Legislature and was a determined advocate of our parliamentary system. What more can be said other than Alberta politics has lost a giant. Thank you for your service Stan.
Virginia and family, our deepest condolences on Stan's passing.
Condolences Virginia and family, I have so many great memories of Stan whom I have known my entire life, he will remain in my heart forever. Please know that I am thinking of you.
Dear Virginia, We were saddened to read that Stan passed away Oct.10th. Alberta has lost a stellar politician, husband and father. You will recall that surrounding your wedding day, you were also in the midst of your political campaign in the Palliser Constituency. I had the privilege of being Stan's Calgary campaign manager. We were all overjoyed with the results. Our condolences to you and all your family.
My condolences to Virginia and family on the passing of Stan. I have very fond memories of Stan. When I decided to embark upon law as a career, Stan was always so kind, supportive and encouraging. As a young lawyer, I always appreciated his interest in my career and the time he took to inquire about it and his optimistic view on matters generally. He will be missed!
So sorry to hear about Stan. I am sure you have had a trying time over the past few years. I am sorry that because of the times, he cannot have the tribute that he had earned over the years of service to both the town and the province (as well as the country). I learned a lot from Stan and I am grateful to him for the encouragement he gave to me. We are also grateful for the kindness and concern that both he and Virginia provided to us with regard to Ron's mom who was a neighbour of theirs. May he rest in peace.
So sorry to hear of Stan’s passing. He served his country well. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Virginia, and your family. Keep well. With love, Gordon & Vi.
Dear Virginia; I was so sorry to hear about Stan’s passing. My sincere condolences to you and your family. I have great memories of sitting next to Stan at Shrine, and other functions, enjoying his stories and having great chats. He was a wonderful gentleman. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Cilla McMullan
Was so sad to hear of Stanley’s passing...my sincere condolences to Virginia, David and Sandra and their families.
So sad to hear of Stan's passing. Please send condolences to Virginia, David and Sandra as well as the rest of the family.
Dear Virginia, David and Sandra, I send my heartfelt sympathy to you and your family as you journey this path in your life. I have such fond memories of working with Stan during his term as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Stan was a principled gentleman with a ready smile in greeting. It was a honour for me to work with him. I can still hear his voice with the chuckle that was truly his own. I know this past time has not been easy for you but I do hope you can find peace knowing that Stan is at peace. My heart is heavy and my thoughts are with you and your family. Please know I am thinking of you.