CALGARY – A state memorial was held for former Alberta premier Peter Lougheed on Friday afternoon, where he was remembered as a loving husband and father, a champion of Alberta and a storied leader.
Lougheed passed away last Thursday in hospital at the age of 84.
A private service was held on Thursday at a church in Calgary, and a public memorial was held at Calgary’s Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, where a number of delegates were in attendance including Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Alberta Premier Alison Redford.
The memorial began with four Mounties carrying the Canadian flag into the auditorium, followed by four sheriffs with the Alberta flag.
A video tribute highlighted Lougheed’s life and achievements, before political commentator Rex Murphy took the stage.
“He strengthened the civic pride and pleasures in our common country,” Murphy told the crowd. “He is Alberta’s greatest son.”
Former Calgary MP Lee Richardson then introduced himself as the event’s emcee. Richardson has known the Lougheed family for 45 years, and once served as Lougheed’s executive director.
“As both a nation and a province builder he has no equal,” Richardson said.
Jim Dinning also served as an MLA with the Lougheed government, and remembered him a ‘serial optimist’ and great teacher.
“Lougheed was a builder of people,” said Dinning. “His many protégés have gone on to make their mark.
“His legacy will live on forever in those of us who call Alberta home.”
He also made note of Lougheed’s contributions on the political scene.
“I’ll remember him as the leader who modernized Alberta and took us to the national stage as an equal… he was Alberta’s guardian and we trusted him to do the right thing.”
Alberta Premier Alison Redford was one of those politicians who was mentored by Lougheed, and he threw his support behind her during the last provincial election.
Redford remembered the first conversation she had with Lougheed after being elected. She said he told her, ‘you are now my leader’ – a gesture Redford called ‘truly humbling.’
“Last week, Albertans lost an icon and a truly great leader,” she said. “He had the golden touch, he excelled at everything he tried.
“He is the architect of the province that we all call home…Alberta was his heart, his passion and his ambition. He spent his time in public service working for us, and inspiring us to be our best.”
Lougheed’s four children then paid tribute to their father.
“We will all miss him tremendously but we will also continue to reminisce and remember him fondly, and take into the future the lessons we have learned from him,” said son Stephen.
“Dad was a team player, and the team he was most proud of was his home team, and that was his family.”
He remembered Lougheed as a coach, mentor, a friend, a cheerleader to his family and someone who always found the best in others.
“He brought compassion, wisdom and generosity to all of his relationships.”
Prime Minister Stephen Harper also eulogized the former premier, referring to him as a statesman who ‘moved beyond the fray.’
“He brought to the job intelligence, integrity, energy, a clear and practical sense of direction… this combination is rare indeed.”
He continued, “every place and every era have their leaders. They are confronted with the challenges and the events of the time they live.
“Sometimes a leader defines his own age, and Peter Lougheed was that kind of leader.”
Lougheed is survived by his wife, Jean, four children and seven grandchildren.
You can watch the memorial service in its entirety below:
Albertans wishing to send a message of support or condolence to the Lougheed family are invited to sign condolence books available in Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Red Deer, Medicine Hat and Lethbridge. Click here for more information.
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