Paul De Clercq of Champion, beloved husband of Ruby, passed away peacefully at the Vulcan Community Health Centre on November 2, 2021 at the age of 86 years.
Paul was the eldest son of Ney and Genevieve (Walden) De Clercq and was born July 17, 1935 in Claresholm, AB. He grew up on the farm NE of Stavely, AB and attended school at Turnbow, Prairie Dell and Stavely. Paul married Ruby Beingessner on October 20, 1956 while working in the oil patch for Young Exploration. Paul and Ruby moved frequently with the drilling crew and their trailer home all around AB and SK. Many life long friendships were made on the crews. Also during these years, Paul and Ruby had their 3 oldest children.
In the early 1960’s, the family moved to Calgary where Paul was a heavy duty mechanic and Ruby taught school. It was also in Calgary that they had their 4th child. The years in Calgary kept Paul busy in many groups, including Boy Scouts and Minor Hockey. In 1980, the family moved back to the farm between Stavely and Champion. It was here that Paul lived and farmed until he became sick this year. He loved farm life and the close community of friends in the Champion area.
Paul is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ruby, his children – Connie (Michael) Morrison, Lori Ahart, Darrell (Caroline) De Clercq and Scott (Monica) De Clercq , 10 grandchildren – Sheila, Laura, Colin (Kelsey), Genevieve (Jaimie), Anna (Spencer), Claire (Eric), Sarah, Brittney (Brandon), Haley (George) and Adeline, 3 great grandchildren – Ava, Georgia and Jon, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his Uncle and dear friend Roy (Ethel) Walden. Paul was predeceased by his parents, sister Valerie Douglas and brother Richard De Clercq.
Private Family Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 2 pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Champion, AB, with Fr. Dominic Nguyen Celebrant. Inurnment to follow at Champion Cemetery.
Tributes in Paul’s memory can be made to the Vulcan County Health & Wellness Foundation, Box 28, Vulcan, AB, T0L 2B0.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.
I was friends with Paul’s son Scott when they were in Calgary. Paul, Ruby, and the whole family always welcomed me and treated me with hospitality. I remember after Scott moved to the farm I visited one summer thinking I would goof around for a couple weeks. I was shocked when I got up the next morning in time to feed the pigs, eat breakfast and drive out to the fields in the truck with Scott and Darrell. We worked hard shoveling grain while Mr. De Clercq (Paul) was driving the tractor. I guess Mr. De Clercq was responsible for teaching me about the rewards of hard work!
Even though it was a tough couple of weeks it is one of my favorite summer memories.
Memories of Paul DeClercq
Moving to Calgary as a young couple, one child, a dog, a new job and looking for a place to live. It was 1969, the end of July. We were led to our first home in Acadia. It was a new home as were all the homes in that area. We soon met and made life long friends. Paul, Ruby, Darrell, Connie, Lori and Scott lived down the street and around the corner. There were lots of stories over the years. It was ‘Paul de Mechanic’ and ‘Ruby de Teacher’. Paul was known as ‘Akela’ with the Cub Scout Pack in the area. He would commandeer his friends and neighbours for Cub camp trips, and after he would organize a “thank you”. One in particular was a tour of Andres Wines. We hosted the after party where more memories were made.
MEMORIES
The Steak Pit in Bragg Creek
The Flying N Ranch in Claresholm
The Farewell Party when they moved back to the family farm in the Stavely / Champion area.
Celebrating a Special Anniversary.
Meetings in High River for dinner when friends came to town.
Paul always made you feel included and special. We will miss you Paul, our memories will keep you alive.
Dwight and Mary Lyn Blix
A Big old white truck pulls up to the Ryan’s at 7:30 AM. I squeeze into the front seat with Connie beside me and her dad starts shifting the big gear shift and off we are Basketball Practice. I so appreciated him taking us to the door of Bishop Grandin in the dead of winter, before he headed to work as a Heavy Duty mechanic – a profession I had no idea about. As a thank you gift for his trips, I bought him a cartoon of Export A cigarettes, man times have changed. I will always remember Mr. DeClercq as a strong, focused Dad.
“A Sleep without end in the calm of the countryside”
Unknown author
My thoughts and Prayers are with the DeClercq Family
Katherine
Thank you so much for the memories Katherine and the beautiful flowers as well!
Hugs , Connie❤️
Many Prayers my humble friend, gods speed and grace. Countless thousands of prayers to Ruby , your kids, grand babies and extended family. I must say you will not be forgotten in the community and the Branch 262 Royal Canadian Legion. Lest we forget Lest we forget. Loving God, we gather to praise your mercy by remembering those of our members and friends whom You have called to be with You. … There is sadness is the parting, but it should fill us with new hope, for one day we shall see our friends again.