July 7, 1925 - September 11, 2019
Hugh Allen MacAulay passed away in Canmore, AB on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, at the age of 94.
Hugh was born to Dugald Montgomery MacAulay and Lilja Thorsteinson on the family farm near Winnipegosis, Manitoba, on July 7, 1925.
At age 16 Hugh left home to experience what the world had to offer. After pursuing work opportunities throughout the western provinces and territories he joined the RCAF as an aircrew trainee in 1943. This training took him across Canada and eventually to England and active service. On his return to Canada he was employed by and became a partner in a subsidiary of the Heiland Exploration Company. An oil patch bust in 1959 precipitated a move to Ottawa where he was employed with the Geophysics Division of the Geological Survey of Canada until his retirement and relocation to Vancouver Island in 1985.
Hugh married Gladys (Arlie) Frances Smith on April 7, 1951, and they proceeded to enjoy 68 uninterrupted years of love and devotion together. They raised one son, Douglas, also of Canmore.
Hugh flourished in a retirement that outlasted his working career. He was an avid reader of non-fiction books and a self-taught expert in Canadian and Scottish history and geography. He developed a passion for family genealogy and dragged Arlie along on many graveyard adventures in Iceland and the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. He was also an avid hockey player and golfer until recurrent shoulder injuries ended his hockey playing days at the age of 76. He was a founding member of the oldtimers' hockey program in the Parksville Golden Oldies Sports Association (PGOSA) while residing in Qualicum Beach.
Like many of his generation, time spent in simple conversation with friends, old and new, gave him great satisfaction. Well known in the community as a loving and caring person, he took great pleasure in drawing out the personal background of everyone he engaged. His interrogation skills were legend.
Hugh was preceded in death by his brother Lorne. He is survived by his beautiful wife Arlie, son Doug (Jennifer), grandsons Allan (Dana) and Terrance (aka TC), his sister Phyllis and his great-grand-daughter Jordan (who entered this world 6 days before he left it), as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
As per Hugh's wishes no funeral service will be held.
Condolences may be left at www.bowriverfuneral.com
Bow River Funeral Service (403) 678-4880