Bernard John Roe

Roe, Bernard John Mackney

June 1, 1926 - September 14, 2017

Bernard John Mackney Roe died suddenly Sept. 14, 2017 at home.  He was doing one of the things he enjoyed the most: solving a crossword puzzle with his friends. 

Bern was born in Winnipeg to the Reverend Jack and Georgie Roe, but moved as a young child to Calgary where he did most of his schooling.  He joined the army right out of high school in 1944.  He then went to the University of Alberta to earn his Bachelor of Education.  In 1949, he married Ruth Hurlburt, also of Calgary.  They moved to Fairview in the Peace River area for his first job as a teacher of math and science.  They lived there for 16 years, during which his first three children were born: Karen, Mack, and Gordon.  He also became a high school principal for over 10 years. He and his family then moved to Mandeville, Jamaica.  For the next two years, he was Day Master in the Anglican boarding school there while still teaching math and science. In 1966, he and his family moved to Lacombe, where he started teaching at Lacombe Composite High School.  Shortly after, two more children joined the family: Peter and Susan. He retired in 1987 as Principal. Bern was active as a volunteer for many organizations, especially St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Rotary, Terry Fox Run, Boy Scout Council, Police Commission, and Kozy Korner Seniors’ Centre. He loved gardening, hiking, bicycling, and camping.  During retirement, he lived his dream of hiking in Nepal and bicycling in China. 

In 2014, he moved to Rivera Inglewood Independent Living in Red Deer, where he and Ruth spent three very happy years. All his life he was cheerful and positive, and enjoyed laughing with people. He always wanted the best for everyone around him, including all of his students everywhere.

He is survived by Ruth, his loving wife of 65 years.  He is also survived by his five children: Karen of Sydney, Australia (Mitch); Mack of Burnaby, B.C. (Elaine); Gordon of Vancouver, B.C. (Marilyn); Peter of Fort McMurray, AB.; and Susan of Ponoka, AB. His younger sister Nancy survives him in Armstrong, B.C.  He also has two grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held from Wilson’s Funeral Chapel, 6120 Highway 2A, Lacombe, AB. on Wednesday September 20, 2017 at 2:00 pm.  If friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to The Lending Cupboard, 5406-43 St., Red Deer, AB. T4N 1C9.  

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