Traven Ford

Traven Bennett Ford passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 13, 2011 at the age of 88 years.

Traven was born on April 8, 1923 in Calgary, AB. At 2 years old, after losing his Mother, he moved in with his Grandmother. She was a strong woman in her own right, one of the only female ranchers of her day after her husband had died a number of years earlier. They settled in Cochrane where Traven went to school in a one room schoolhouse. He had a wonderful childhood on the ranch, hunting for food, helping his Grandmother and playing his guitar.

Later Traven moved to Calgary to finish his high school and moved in next door to the soon to be love of his life, Jeanette Keeling. They began dating and would have married immediately, but the war soon divided them. In 1942 Traven joined the Navy, he spent the majority of the war stationed on corvettes in the North Atlantic, including the Wetaskiwin, the Arrowhead and a frigate called the Wentworth. During this time Traven traveled the world, although not very glamorously. He visited Ireland, Scotland, England, Russia, Iceland, New York, Boston, Cuba, Jamaica, Bermuda and the Gulf of Mexico. Traven was discharged in 1946 and married Jeanette on January 17, 1947. On June 13, 1951 they were blessed with the birth of their only son Brian.

Traven, Jeanette and Brian moved to Banff in March of 1957 and purchased their home on Cougar street. In 1961 he opened Ford's TV & Stereo in a small shop beside their home and just celebrated its 50 anniversary. The business is now operated by Brian, although Traven was instrumental in the running of it right up until the end.

He never did fully retire.

Including helping out at the shop Traven enjoyed many hobbies, the first being his model railroad. Always tinkering and improving upon it as soon as he would come close to finishing it he would tear it down and re-build it determined that he could make it bigger and better. The second hobby was his greenhouse, spending hours in the heat fertilizing and enduring backbreaking work determined to coax some of the biggest, sweetest and juiciest tomatoes and cucumbers for his family to enjoy. The third love was his pets, an avid animal lover he always had animals around the house. From horses to rabbits to cats and his last was a beautiful Siberian husky named Shaman.

Traven was first and foremost a support and foundation for his family who loved him dearly. He is survived by his son Brian Ford (Mary Louise Ford), beloved grandchildren Robert and Christine (Ian Kaufmann), and many others who loved him. He was predeceased by his wife, Jeanette Ford.

A memorial service was held on August 20, 2011 at the Banff Legion

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Traven may make a donation, in his honor, to the Banff Royal Canadian Legion. Please make payable to Colonel Moore Branch #26 and mail to Box 246, Banff AB,

T1L 1A4 and make note of Traven in the memo line.

Thank you all for your kindness and well wishes.

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.