Albert Francis Pearce

April 20, 1933 - April 24, 2009

Al Pearce
Rotary Club of Calgary South President 1987-1988
Rotarian May 27, 1974 - April 24, 2009

Our Club lost a bit of our Heart, a bit of our Character and a lot of our Conscience with the passing of Al Pearce on Friday April 24, 2009.  Al was a member of our Club for nearly 35 years, serving as a Director and Secretary in the late 70's.  He won his battle with stomach cancer, coming back to serve as President of the Club in 1987-1988.  His ever-cheery and friendly disposition invited the greeting "Good to see you Al" to which he was quick to quip "It's good to be seen!"  And he meant it - he appreciated every day of his life.

Al was dedicated to Rotary, making lasting contributions to the Dream Home project, the Calgary Rotary Clubs Foundation and Community Service.  He was a visionary who could see the great contribution women members would make to our Club a decade before our first women were inducted.  Al was a stickler for attendance, setting a fine example with 25 years of 100% attendance - the first meeting credit he missed was April 23, the day before he passed away.  He also believed in attending the full meeting and admonished "early leavers" on many occasions.  He was caught off guard at his first meeting as Club President when the members headed for the exit en masse as the guest speaker was introduced - only to turn around at the door - no "early leavers" that day! 

A highlight of the New Member's Auction for many years was "Dinner for Eight at the Pearce's."  It raised thousands of dollars over the years and provided plenty of laughs, fellowship and memories for the guests.  Gourmet cooking was one of the skills Al mastered during his cancer therapy (along with making sturdy furniture.)  Al and Audrey were also organizers and regulars at Rotary Bridge.

Al was born and raised in Montreal.  Following high school he worked in the pharmaceutical business for a year before joining the RCMP.  His eight year career in the RCMP included service in Hay River, N.W.T., Moncton and Ottawa.  On RCMP leave from Hay River in 1955 he passed through Calgary, looked over the City from the east and decided Calgary was the place he wanted to live and raise his family.  Out of the RCMP Al returned to Montreal, married Audrey in May 1960, worked days as a Manager for Snap-on Tools and agressively pursued his undergraduate degree through day and night classes at St. Georges University.  He graduated in 1964 and headed to Law School at the University of Alberta.  He practiced law in Calgary since being admitted to the Alberta Bar.  He was a pioneer in computerizing the Law Office, perhaps a decade or two ahead of his time.

Al led a good life, devoted to his loving wife Audrey and their four children and six grandchildren.  He leaves a legacy of kindness and caring for others - an exemplary Rotarian.  From Al's obituary in the Calgary Herald " . . it is the family's wish that you pass on an act of kindness to others as this is how Al lived his life."

Rest in Peace Al.