Anthony John Harben
April 21, 1934 - January 15, 2023
It is with great sadness that the family of Anthony (Tony) Harben announces his passing on Sunday, January 15, 2023. He is survived by his wife, May Anne (nee Keith); his brother, Jeremy (Edith) of South Africa; his daughters, Rhianne, Vivien, and Glynis; his grandchildren, Isaac, Bronwyn, Audrianna, Elias, and Ivor; and by his sons-in-law, Aarn and Andy. Tony was predeceased by his brother, Robin and his sister-in-law, Ann of Australia.
Though born in London, England, Tony grew up in Southern Africa. Tony and May were married in London in 1962, and in 1964, after travelling from Halifax to Vancouver, settled in Alberta for 60 happy years.
Tony practiced law in Calgary for over 30 years, retiring in 1993. On his retirement, he and May moved to Priddis where they spent 24 more happy years enjoying life in the country with many visits from beloved family and friends.
During his life he had many and varied interests. He was a founding member of the West Calgary Rotary Club, and a Paul Harris Fellow. He and May were members of the St.Giles Scottish Country Dance Society and enjoyed many years of dancing and volunteering. He was also a ready volunteer for his children’s clubs and activities.
All his life he was a keen sportsman and participated in a variety of sports and activities. He loved and excelled at field hockey and was selected for the Canadian Field Hockey team for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He was an avalanche qualified Ski Patrol member at Mount Norquay. Tony also loved camping, hiking, golf and sailing but above all else, riding. In retirement he achieved his dream of riding almost every day and quite often twice a day, on his other ‘family’ of beloved and very lucky horses.
Tony was a man of dignity and honour; with a remarkable intellect, a generous heart, a keen sense of humour and a deep sense of justice. He will be deeply and forever missed by his family and all who loved him. He leaves a place that can never be filled.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday, February 3, 2023, at 1:00 pm at Christ Church (3602 8 St. SW, Calgary, AB). Reception to follow. For those who are not able to attend the service, you are also able to watch via LiveStream at either
via YouTube or
via DaCast or
via CalgaryAV and this last one has a password that is Case Sensitive (ChoiceMemorial).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Tony’s memory to
Bear Valley Horse Rescue.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Tony, please visit www.choicememorial.com.