Obituary for Earl Havelock Coates
Earl Coates
January 20th, 1943 - Thursday, September 26th, 2019
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Earl Havelock Coates on Thursday, September 26th, 2019 at the age of 76.
Earl was born on January 20th, 1943 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. He attended primary school in a rural, 2 room school-house before transferring to and graduating from Saskatoon Technical Collegiate in 1961. On August 3rd, 1963, Earl married his high school sweetheart Yvonne (née Decae). That year, Earl began working on his accounting designation. In 1965, Earl and Yvonne welcomed their eldest child, Angela, into their lives. The following year, the young family moved to Calgary where Earl worked as a computer programmer for Mobil Oil. In 1967, the Coates’ welcomed Troy into their family, however, tragedy would strike two years later as Troy passed away in 1969 from leukemia just after of his 2nd birthday. In 1969, Earl received his RIA accounting designation, and the following year he moved his family to Saskatoon to support them as he worked for the Government of Canada. In 1971, Earl and Yvonne were blessed with their youngest daughter, Chantelle. In 1973, the Coates’ moved to St. Albert where Earl would work in Edmonton for four years before the family settled back in Calgary in 1977. That year Earl would begin taking flying lessons, and one year later receive his pilots’ licence. Earl loved to fly. He wanted to learn how since he was a little boy after watching his father return home in a small plane at the family farm. Earl loved flying their Piper Cherokee with Yvonne, who also earned her license. In 1991, Earl suffered his first heart attack. His spirit would not be so easily taken from this world, as he recovered and lived to see the birth of his first grandchild. Earl retired from the government in 1995. The following years were blessed by the arrival of five more grandchildren. Earl and Yvonne enjoyed the many vacations and cruises over the years. Together they escaped the brutal Calgary cold by spending their winters with their fellow snowbirds in Hidden Shores, Arizona.
Earl deeply loved his family, and was a cornerstone in all of their lives. Affectionately known as “Papa” by his grandchildren, he spent countless hours looking after, teaching, and playing with his grandchildren. His love of flight continued as he built birdhouses that he hung proudly, housing the birds that he loved to watch. Later in life he enjoyed beekeeping, having built a hive and collaborating on bee care with his oldest granddaughter.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Jessie May, his older brothers John and Harold, and his son Troy. He is survived by his wife Yvonne, and their two children and their families, Angela (Garth Jacques) Aly, Kenneth and Jessie and Chantelle (Shawn Kao) Jade, Kara, and Dani. Earl is also survived by his brother Albert and his sister Karen.
A Celebration of Life for Earl will be held at the McKenzie Towne Hall (40 McKenzie Towne Blvd SE, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, October 19th, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
Donations may be made in Earl's memory to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Earl please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.
January 20th, 1943 - Thursday, September 26th, 2019
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Earl Havelock Coates on Thursday, September 26th, 2019 at the age of 76.
Earl was born on January 20th, 1943 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. He attended primary school in a rural, 2 room school-house before transferring to and graduating from Saskatoon Technical Collegiate in 1961. On August 3rd, 1963, Earl married his high school sweetheart Yvonne (née Decae). That year, Earl began working on his accounting designation. In 1965, Earl and Yvonne welcomed their eldest child, Angela, into their lives. The following year, the young family moved to Calgary where Earl worked as a computer programmer for Mobil Oil. In 1967, the Coates’ welcomed Troy into their family, however, tragedy would strike two years later as Troy passed away in 1969 from leukemia just after of his 2nd birthday. In 1969, Earl received his RIA accounting designation, and the following year he moved his family to Saskatoon to support them as he worked for the Government of Canada. In 1971, Earl and Yvonne were blessed with their youngest daughter, Chantelle. In 1973, the Coates’ moved to St. Albert where Earl would work in Edmonton for four years before the family settled back in Calgary in 1977. That year Earl would begin taking flying lessons, and one year later receive his pilots’ licence. Earl loved to fly. He wanted to learn how since he was a little boy after watching his father return home in a small plane at the family farm. Earl loved flying their Piper Cherokee with Yvonne, who also earned her license. In 1991, Earl suffered his first heart attack. His spirit would not be so easily taken from this world, as he recovered and lived to see the birth of his first grandchild. Earl retired from the government in 1995. The following years were blessed by the arrival of five more grandchildren. Earl and Yvonne enjoyed the many vacations and cruises over the years. Together they escaped the brutal Calgary cold by spending their winters with their fellow snowbirds in Hidden Shores, Arizona.
Earl deeply loved his family, and was a cornerstone in all of their lives. Affectionately known as “Papa” by his grandchildren, he spent countless hours looking after, teaching, and playing with his grandchildren. His love of flight continued as he built birdhouses that he hung proudly, housing the birds that he loved to watch. Later in life he enjoyed beekeeping, having built a hive and collaborating on bee care with his oldest granddaughter.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Jessie May, his older brothers John and Harold, and his son Troy. He is survived by his wife Yvonne, and their two children and their families, Angela (Garth Jacques) Aly, Kenneth and Jessie and Chantelle (Shawn Kao) Jade, Kara, and Dani. Earl is also survived by his brother Albert and his sister Karen.
A Celebration of Life for Earl will be held at the McKenzie Towne Hall (40 McKenzie Towne Blvd SE, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, October 19th, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
Donations may be made in Earl's memory to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Earl please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.