Mr. Percy Lawrence Blair passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at the age of 96 years. Our sadness at the loss of our father is tempered by the joy of knowing that he is now at peace in the arms of Jesus and is reunited with his wife, Margaret and his boys. Percy was born on May 18, 1928, in Delburne, Alberta to James and Lucy Blair. He was raised on the family farm near Lousana, Alberta where he spent most of his youth. Percy married his one true love of sixty-eight years, Margaret Cumberland on April 6, 1953. Percy started a career as a grain buyer/elevator operator, which required them to move to several locations throughout Alberta.
Eventually, they ended up in Red Deer and Percy started work as a mechanic at Sunset Service. They lived behind the Service Station in a small house, with lots of children running around. Due to some roadway changes the station fell into difficulties and Percy found alternative employment at the Deerhome/Michener Centre in Red Deer. About this time, he moved his family to the Valleyview Subdivision (Lynn Valley, as it is known today) where he grew a big garden for his growing family, continued to play music and dance when he had time. He rebuilt cars for his kids, watched their sports and sports on T.V. Subsequently, they moved into Red Deer and lived in two locations. Although his career started on the wards, with his analytical mind, he eventually moved to the Physiotherapy Department repairing wheelchairs, helmets, and anything else in need of his “Mr. Fix-it” skills. He finished his career assisting clients in the Hubbard tank. After he retired, he continued his hard work ethic in Redcliff when they purchased a decommissioned Catholic Church allowing him to pursue his lifelong dream of owning an apartment building. At the age of seventy-two, with his wife, he took on a major renovation project which resulted in a new home for them plus three other rental units. Percy and Margaret loved their new home and this new adventure. In 2011, at the age of eighty-two, he was getting tired of painting and continual maintenance/repairs so they sold their legacy to his grandson and relocated back to Red Deer. In 2012, when his lovely bride had a stroke, he once again found himself in a caregiver role. He devotedly committed to meeting Margaret’s needs and desires until it became a bit too much for him to manage. They moved to Independent Living at Timberstone Mews for a year and when they needed more assistance they were fortunate enough to get a couple’s suite in Villa Marie where he lived until his passing.
Percy will be lovingly remembered by his children: Marilyn Arnold (Dale), and their children, Erin Gillies (Ryan), Michael (Tiffany), Amy Engh (Trevor) and Kelly Caron (Andrè); Heather Armitage (Robert, deceased); Raymond (Sandra), and their children, Maverick (Dana) and Mariah; Lorraine Docherty, and her children, Sheena, Carson, Scott and Julia; Linda Duinker (David), and their children, Melissa Buhler (Brock), Jaelle Buhler (Brett), Tymon (Kendall) and Zackery (Chantelle); and Judy MacDonald (John), and their children, Blair and Ray; his twenty-six great grandchildren; and his sister, Marlene Lavallee (Bernie, deceased). Percy was predeceased by his wife Margaret (2021) and two sons, Phillip (1960) and Gordon (1958), his parents, James and Lucy, his sisters, Vera and Alda, and his brother, Arnold.
A Prayer Service was held at the First Christian Reformed Church, 16 McVicar Street, Red Deer, Alberta on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 6 McMillan Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta on Monday, December 9, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. To view the Livestream of Percy’s Funeral Mass please visit www.stmarysparishreddeer.ca, click Our Parish and then click Livestream. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

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• Date : 2024-12-13
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