Lawrence Reid

Lawrence David Reid January 22, 1933 - December 18, 2016 Mr. Larry Reid, 83, of Innisfail, Alberta passed away peacefully at the Red Deer Hospice on December 18, 2016 surrounded by his family. Born in Toronto, Ontario in 1933, Larry was predeceased by his father David Reid in 1959 and his mother Elma Lewis (Reid) in 1993. Larry is survived by his beautiful bride and loving wife of 60 years, Helen Margaret Reid, their three children and six grandchildren: Karen (Doug) Daisley and son Morgan of Rocky Mountain House; David (Mary) Reid and daughter Katherine and son Michael of DeWinton; and Scott (Elinor) Reid and daughters Sarah, Natasha, son Nicholas of Calgary. After growing up in Toronto and beginning his career in the refining business in Sarnia, Ontario, Larry met Helen in 1952. As their one and only true loves, Larry and Helen married in 1956 and soon after had two children, Karen and David. In 1960 Larry accepted a transfer with Shell Canada to work at the Bowden Refinery and built their first and only home in Innisfail where they had a second son Scott in 1962. Larry worked at the refinery until he retired in 1993, establishing many life-long friendships with his co-workers, bosses and summer students. As an athlete through his younger years, Larry volunteered unselfishly for 20 years developing the community’s minor hockey program. Larry truly believed in the benefits of organized sports in developing the community’s youth into young adults. Larry then turned to coaching coaches, being one of the first NCCP instructors in Alberta he taught all levels of coaching seminars for another 15 years. In 1984, Larry was given the opportunity to take his coaching skills to Harbin, China where he spent two months coaching China’s two junior national teams. In 2007, Larry was honored at Hockey Alberta’s centennial celebration as one of the top 100 contributors over the past 100 years as a pioneer and leader in coach education and athlete development. After retirement in 1993, Larry and Helen were inseparable, planning their adventures and living life together to its fullest. Their travels took them many places, but it was their love of golf that brought them their greatest joys in meeting wonderful people and establishing life-long friends. Larry’s gracious and authentic personality was a gift that created many friendships wherever their travels took them. Throughout his almost 84 years, Larry lived out his life-plan focused on family and community. He was a gentle but firm father who took great pride in parenting his three children. His grandchildren have brought him great joy over the past 27 years. It was his love of family and friends that kept him active and healthy through to the end of his beautiful life. A Celebration of Life for Lawrence David Reid will be held at Innisfail United Church on December 29, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Internment in the Innisfail Cemetery will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial tributes may be made to Unit #31 at the Red Deer Regional Hospital or the Red Deer Hospice Society. Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Innisfail entrusted with arrangements. 403-227-0006. www.heartlandfuneralservices.com