Bernard (Bernie) Ross Heywood

“In our hearts, you will always stay, loved and remembered every day. Your legacy lives on in the love and values you instilled in us."

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bernard (Bernie) Ross Heywood on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at the age of 87 after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Bernie was born in High River, Alberta on January 16, 1937 to Georgie and Rex Heywood. He is survived by his loving wife, Emma; son Kevin; daughter Jodie (Jeff); step-sons Glen Hartono ( Rya) and Damy Hartono (Winda); grandaughter Rachel (Jodie and Jeff) grandson Aerien (Damy and Winda); grandaughter Maeve (Glen and Rya); sister Dianne Dane (Dan); brother Ken (Sandy); brother-in-law Wayne Kotch as well as several nieces and nephews. He was pre deceased by his parents and sister Jacqueline (Heywood) Kotch.

Bernie was one of the hardest working men with a stubborn streak that proved him well in life. After leaving the family farm in Blackie, Alberta when he was a young teen, he ventured out to British Columbia to find work. From there he spent time as a surveyor working in Pincher Creek, Alberta and Crowsnest Pass area. After this, Bernie started working as a welder. In 1965 he and his young family moved to Didsbury, Alberta where he built his first home. He resided in Didsbury, until 1980. After working for several years in mostly Alberta, he ventured off to work oversees as a Superintendent in Tanjung, Indonesia on several pipeline projects. Bernie had a very successful career and after he finally retired he and Emma settled back in Didsbury.

Bernie was a man of many talents. There really wasn’t a job he couldn’t do. You would often find him creating some new project or tinkering away in the garage. No task was too large as he built 2 homes in Didsbury, and oversaw the construction of a beautiful oceanfront home in Indonesia.

Bernie’s love of vehicles was evident in the hours he spent restoring antique cars.

Bernie also had a huge love of sports, both playing and watching, which he passed along to his children. When his kids were small and the weather turned cold, he could be seen outside creating a huge skating rink in the backyard where he taught his children to skate and instilled the love of hockey into them. In his younger years Bernie played and coached hockey, played baseball, and later on slow pitch/fast-ball. He also enjoyed golfing and fishing.

While Bernie spent time working in Indonesia, he also loved spending the winters in Palm Springs with his wife, Emma, family and friends. When they weren’t in Palm Springs they enjoyed travelling in their motorhome, touring through the US and Canada. He also learned to deep sea fish and he and Emma spent several summers fishing on their boat off the coast of Vancouver Island.

In his later years, Bernie loved his time with friends chatting or what they called “shooting the shit”. He and his friends could often be seen in Didsbury at Maesie’s Nook then later JD’s for breakfast (John, Don and Bernie) or at the Old’s Legion on Fridays for “The Friday Dinner” (John, Vic and Bernie). They were know as the “The Three Musketeers” around town.

Bernie was much loved by many. He will be missed greatly.

Many thanks go out to John Riddoch, for his friendship and selflessness in helping out Bernie and Emma over the years and most recently during his battle with cancer. Also to Sophia and her home care team, the entire palliative care team in Didsbury, as well as the care team at the Didsbury Hospital.

John 16:22 “Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you”