Long-time Calgary broadcaster Joe Carbury was honoured Thursday afternoon at a well-attended funeral service.
Carbury began his career in 1948 in Medicine Hat before eventually moving to Calgary in 1953.
Born in Manitoba, Carbury was a staple at Stampede Park where he called horse races from 1963 to 2007, as well as calling the Calgary Stampede chuckwagon races from 1964 to 2008.
Current chuckwagon announcer and friend Les McIntyre told Global News Carbury was a very gracious and humble man.
“He set the bar when it comes to calling chuckwagon races. The sport itself is big in western Canada. But it’s big because of Joe Carbury and what he did for it.”
Drivers and jockeys became familiar with Carbury’s signature start to every race, “There’s the horn…and they’rrre off!”
That memorable voice and phrase is something retired chuckwagon driver Kelly Sutherland said meant so much to the drivers.
“I just know that every wagon driver dreamed of hearing that, “And they’re off.” He just made such a huge impact in Calgary.”
The legendary broadcaster died on Oct. 17, 2017 at the age of 91.
WATCH: Archive video: Calgary broadcaster Joe Carbury bids a final goodbye ahead of his 2008 retirement from the Calgary Stampede
On Thursday, friend and co-worker Jim Hughes told Global News that Carbury was an important part of Calgary.
“If you were a Calgarian, you knew Joe Carbury’s voice – whether you knew it or not.”
Carbury’s two grandchildren, Amanda Sheps and Garrett Hooker, were among the speakers at the service Thursday.
They spoke about how, to them, he was “Poppa,” and shared memories of Carbury playing Santa for them when they were young.
Carbury’s quick wit and kindness that Calgarians were familiar with was something his grandchildren and daughter Colleen Hutton also recalled.
“Family was first and foremost with Joe,” Hughes said.
“Probably everybody felt like he was a part of their family – but Joe’s family themselves were the most important thing to him.”
Carbury was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.
Keith Marrington, formerly with the Calgary Stampede, described Carbury’s love of people.
“He had a special connection with people.