Philip "Phil" Ray Janzen

Philip “Phil” Ray Janzen

March 4, 1949 – October 18, 2021

Phil passed away on Monday, October 18, 2021 at Red Deer Regional Hospital at the age of 72 years after a short battle with lung cancer.  Thank you to Unit 32 at the Red Deer hospital for their care and compassion they showed him right to the end.  Phil is predeceased by his loving wife, April of 35 years. He will be greatly missed by his son Mark (Tracey) Janzen and stepdaughters Connie (Marinel) Paftaluta, Carrie McIsaac, granddaughters Hailey (Josh), Andrea (Marcus), Shelby, Jessica (Sebastien), Christina (Dave), Ashley (Justin), step grandchildren Thea & Josh, and great grandchildren, Ayah, Loki, Atticus & Elena. Siblings Donna May, John, RoseAnn & Susie. Nieces Meghan, RoseAnn & Christina. His close friends Cal & Val. Phil is predeceased by his parents Russel & Leota Janzen.

Phil was born in Perth, NB; although they moved around often because his father was in the Military.  Phil attended school at Namao, AB; Ottawa, ON; Greenwood, NS; Portage La Prairie, MB and final year at Canadian Forces School near Soest in West Germany. He was an Air Cadet during his high school years and in 1966 was awarded a pilot training course at Portage La Prairie Flying Club, where he graduated and received his pilot wings and private pilot license.  Following his return to Canada from Europe in 1969, Phil apprenticed as an Aviation Engineer with the Edmonton Flying Club and obtained his Aircraft Engineering License in 1973. After some time, he moved on to work as a mechanic on heavy coal mining equipment near Hinton, eventually promoted to drive the 100 ton trucks at the mine. He moved to Calgary and joined the Calgary Police Force in 1980 as a Constable until he retired in 2006.

Phil met his wife, April, in 1985 at Gramma’s Pantry where he often went for coffee while on duty.  They had annual vacations to Cancun and became close friends with a few “regulars” going to the same resort and would meet annually. They had many adventures and driving holidays. He loved gardening, watching the Blue Jays games (everyday), reading random books, and watching documentaries. He had a gift of being able to talk to anyone about anything.   Phil loved his granddaughters and they adored him. When April passed in 2020, his heart was broken, living in a Covid world in lockdowns and not able to visit. This made it hard to resume any “normal life”, but he tried and always had that warm smile on his face.  He said many times, he lived a good life.  He loved helping others and touched so many lives, though he may not have realized how special he was. Even to his last breath, he was the sweetest. His advice to his granddaughters just before he passed, “always be kind.” Heaven gained another Angel; may he Rest in Peace.

A Celebration of Phil’s life will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home (Prairie View Chapel, 1605 100 Street SE, Calgary) on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.

To access the link to the virtual funeral service stream, click on  http://www.livememorialservices.com/Home/ServiceDetail/17182 
You will be able to view the service live at: 2:00 p.m. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted.

(Proof of Vaccine or negative test required to attend Chapel Service)

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