Obituary of Craig William Prince

Craig William Marshall Prince of Calgary, Alberta passed away April 8, 2024, at his home in Calgary. Craig was born in Langenburg, Saskatchewan on May 30, 1956. He was raised and lived on the family farm by Marchwell, Saskatchewan with his parents and three sisters.

 

He was pre-deceased by his father and mother Walter and Kathleen. He was also predeceased by his older sister Debbie who passed away when she was three years old.

 

As a young boy, he had flaming red hair and was given the nickname "Squiggy”. This red hair was also very curly and he used to wear a toque to bed, so his hair would flatten out. He learnt how to swim in the farm dugout and to ride horses in the surrounding pastures. He once had a memorable encounter with a skunk,

which his clothes did not survive. He also dropped his jack knife down the outhouse hole and because it was very important to him, he tied a binder twine around his waist and secured it to the door, to lower himself in to retrieve it.

 

Craig left home at 17 years old to see and experience the world. He first moved to Vancouver with his close friend and cousin Gordon Prince. These two were close buddies growing up, getting into lots of adventures creating many funny memories as the family fondly recalls. After his year in Vancouver, he moved back home for a short stint working at one of the local potash mines. He moved on for two years to Foam Lake,

Saskatchewan to work for a construction company. He spent the next three years in Regina operating heavy duty equipment for a couple of companies.

 

Craig was known as a hard worker and problem solver in these fields of work. This led him to Calgary where he spent the rest of his life. He worked for a few different companies in industrial and oil patch industries. He started his own backhoe company around Calgary and vicinity called, ‘Red’s Backhoe.’ His last job started in 1996 with ATCO’s Calgary operation. He had to take a leave of absence due to an injury and health issues.

This led to an earlier than expected retirement.

 

Craig always loved animals, often having a cat or cats by his side. As a boy he enjoyed riding horses, enjoyed the cattle especially the calves, had a favorite dog which he named Francis, that was close to his heart. His sisters recall how he often teased them with creepy creatures such as snakes or mice often chasing them around the farm. But the three sisters he grew up with enjoyed his fun teasing nature whenever creepy-like animals weren’t involved.

 

Living close to the mountains he enjoyed bike-riding. hiking and taking long drives in the country. Craig had a soft heart volunteering for years at Calgary’s Mustard Seed ministry for the homeless, street people, and addicts.

 

Craig is survived by his three sisters. Darlene (Grant) Hooge of Carseland, Alberta and their children Crystal and (Ken) Johansen of Strathmore, Alberta, and Blaire of Calgary; sister, Maxine Galger-Scholz (Guy) of Regina, children, Brendon Galger (April) of Langenburg and Jade Singer (Tyler) of Regina; Sister Maureen

Pituley (Rick) of Caron, Saskatchewan and their children, Jennifer Mitchell (Trevor) of Regina and Marc Pituley (Janel) of Saskatoon. Craig also has numerous cousins and great nephews and nieces. Also mourning the passing of Craig is his best friend Vadsana Chobdee (Dang) of Calgary.

 

A date for a Celebration of Life is still to be determined.

 

In lieu of flowers please use this opportunity to make a donation to your local Homeless Shelter or Food Bank in Craig’s memory.

 

“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me.”               John14:3