Remembering Dick Coe
April 28, 1928 -- October 3, 2016 Richard E. (Dick) Coe passed away at the age of 88 on October 3, 2016 at the Continuing Care Facility in Drumheller, Alberta.
Dick was born to E.P. and Agnes Coe at Moose Mountain Park in south east Saskatchewan on April 16, 1928 where his dad was the park superintendent. He spent his first ten years there and at Cypress Hills Park. He and his brother and two sisters lived an idyllic life for those ten years.
When Dick was ten, the family moved to Wawota, Saskatchewan where his mother and father bought a small farm where he spent the remainder of his childhood. He went to his first school at Wawota as he was home schooled previously, starting Grade one at the age of five.
After leaving high school Dick joined the army in 1944. He was underage but finished basic training before his true age was discovered and he was sent home. He farmed with his parents until he was 21. He joined the RCMP in 1949 and was based in Calgary on highway patrol.
In 1953 he began flying lessons as Chinook Air Service and got his private pilot's license in April, 1953 and retained it until 2008. Over those years he owned nine aircraft.
Dick and Mary were married in Calgary on July 31, 1953 and had a long and happy marriage of 63 years.
In 1959 Dick moved to Drumheller with Mary and their boys to open his business, Crosland Peacock, Drumheller Ltd. He owned and managed this successful insurance adjusting company until 1991. Dick was a long time member of the Kinsmen Club of Drumheller and the K-40 club. He served many positions there including two years as president of Drumheller Kinsmen. He was one of the founders of the Drumheller Flying Club in 1960. He, Chris Ostergaard and Walter Burroughs actually constructed the first grass air strip at the present location of the Drumheller airport. Dick was a City Councilor for 12 years during the 1970's and 1980's. His favourite position was on the Works department. He made lasting friends with many City council members and City staff. Dick was a very happy person. His wonderful laugh will be missed by all who knew him.
Dick has a long and happy retirement, spent many hours flying his beloved aircraft, golfing and a lot of DIY projects. He completely rebuilt a 1950 Piper Pacer over five years. This was his final plane.
Dick was predeceased by his father, E. Percival and his mother Agnes; his brother George in France in 1944; his sister Doris in 1999, and his daughter in law Brenda in 2013.
He is survived by his sister Lorraine, his loving wife Mary and three sons, Steven (Johara), Brian (Theresa), and Greg (Heather); his granddaughter Lyndsie (Colin) and grandson Sam (Chantal), and one great grandson, Landon. He is also survived by 8 step grandchildren; Sara, Bandar, Nora, Faisal, Meshal, Melissa, Janelle and Alyssa and step great grandchildren, Addison, Maya, Khalid and Talia.
Dick did not wish a traditional funeral. Cremation was arranged by Courtney-Winter's Funeral Homes. There will be a gathering on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. at the Cretaceous Conference Centre to celebrate his long and happy life. We welcome everyone. Come prepared to share your memories of Dick.
The Family would like to thank Dr. Dayo, the homecare nurses and the kind and caring staff at the Drumheller Continuing Care, and the Centennial Centre in Ponoka.
Please do not send flowers. Instead we would be pleased if friends and family would donation to Continuing Care, Drumheller Area Health Foundation, 351-9th Street N.W., Drumheller, Alberta T0J 0Y1 or S.T.A.R.S. at 1441 Aviation Park N.E., Box 570, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 8M7 or online at S.T.A.R.S., Calgary.
