Obituary of Rod Doody

Rod Doody passed away peacefully with family at his side on December 11, 2014, after losing his battle with cancer. He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, and best friend of 55 years, Norma; his son, Michael (Joanne), daughters, Angela (Jack), and Joanne; grandchildren, Chad (Ashley), Jessica, Hillary (John), and Jordan, and great grandson, Gavin; brothers and sisters-in-law, Susan and Chub Ness, Ella and Bob Seidlitz, Janie and Al Falkowsky, Tom and Laurie Leslie, Evelyn and Larry Clark, Pat Leslie, Bill and Debbie Leslie, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Ann Doody, his parents-in-law, Tom and Ruth Leslie, his brother in law, John Leslie, and nephews, Mark, Matthew, Michael, Chad, Kirby, and Wes. Rod was born in 1939, in Broseley, England, in the county of Shropshire, October 26, 1939, to Stan and Mary Doody. He attended school in Iron Bridge, and then, Wellington Grammar School. As a boy he enjoyed racing pigeons, equestrian events, cross country racing, and army cadets. Rod immigrated to Canada with his mom when he was 17 following the premature passing of his father in 1955. He arrived in Red Deer, Alberta, and worked at several jobs including the Bank of Commerce, and later at the Provincial Training School where he and Norma met. After marriage, the birth of three children, and a variety of jobs, Rod decided to go to university to become a teacher. It was a job he loved; his students were so important to him. Until the very end, he was interested in what each one was doing and took such pride in their successes. After retiring, Rod spent three winters teaching computer and accounting skills to adults who wanted to make a change in their careers. Whether teaching building construction, accounting, Industrial Ed., computer technology, horsemanship and riding, or teaching the Ski Patrol members, Rod was happiest passing his knowledge on to others. Rod loved his family and continued to love to spend time with them, and help them for his whole life. Everything from fixing a computer problem to building or repairing a house or machine. It seemed like he could do it all. He loved gardening and took pride in our home, gardens, and lawn, often struggling with the deer which he enjoyed watching as they nibbled at the foot of the bird feeder in the winter, but had to frighten away during the warm months when they came to browse on the newly planted trees, the vegetable garden, shrubs and flowers. He enjoyed travel with a trip throughout Europe, across Canada three times, Newfoundland, to England, a cruise on the Rideau Canal, frequently to Vancouver Island, to many places in the USA, Mexico, Hawaii, and spent three months each year wintering in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, for thirteen years. Rod loved boats and water. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at the Church of the Nazarene, Sedgewick. Memorial donations may be made to the Merna Cemetery, the Sedgewick United Church, or a charity of your choice.