Maurice Lepper

Maurice G.S. Lepper, 93, beloved father, died in Canmore, Alberta.

Maurice, born in Folkestone, U.K., is the son of Gordon Lepper and Muriel Lepper (nee Storrar). He married his wife Celia (Cecliia T.U. Smith) on December 3,1955 and the newly-married couple moved to Calgary, arriving in a snowstorm on May 1, 1956.

Maurice came to Calgary as a geologist in the oil and gas industry, but weary of booms and busts, he obtained his degree in Library Science (UBC) in 1963/64. With this achievement, he had a long career as a librarian at the University of Calgary, serving primarily in Government Publications.

After 32 years in Calgary, Maurice and Celia retired to Shawnigan Lake, B.C., where he became an accomplished gardener and spent many happy hours curling, volunteering and spending time with family and friends in the area.

They returned to Alberta, settling in Canmore in 2005 where he and Celia could be closer to their grandchildren.

Maurice had many pastimes that brought him pleasure over the years, most especially birdwatching with Celia, gardening (especially roses and hot peppers!), curling and reading. In his later years, his creative energy went into making scarves, hooking rugs and polishing rocks for his family and friends.

Maurice is predeceased by his wife Celia, and is survived by his sister Jennifer in Kirkwall, Scotland and his children Eric (JoAnne), Ian (Cathy), Claire (George), Frances (Jim) and Paul (Lori), his grandchildren Elizabeth, Melissa (Doug), Leah (Connor), Scott (Jennifer), Timothy (Rachelle), Joel, Erika, Annie and Angus and his great-grandchildren Simon, Morgan, Sophie, Callum, Evelyn, Logan and Wendy.

The family offers profound gratitude to Dr. Michael Quinlan, Pam, Esther and the staff at Canmore Associate Medical Clinic and the acute care doctors and nurses at Canmore General Hospital for their extraordinary care of Maurice.

Additional thanks to Roger, Kathleen, Gay and the staff at Save On Pharmacy for their personal attention to Maurice and Celia over the years.

Special thanks also go to Father Pilmaiken (Mike) Lezano and Deacon Brian West of Our Lady of the Rockies Parish, the staff of Bow River Seniors Lodge and Brenda Bonnet at Above and Beyond Foot Care.

A Funeral Mass was held on Friday, September 8, 2023 at The Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Rockies (2 Silvertip Trail, Canmore) and was followed by a private family gathering.

In lieu of flowers, cash or cheque donations can be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Bow Valley) via The Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Rockies (2 Silvertip Trail, Canmore AB T1W 2Z7). This money will support individuals and families experiencing financial difficulty throughout the Bow Valley.

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.