Larry Lait

The family of Wilfred Lawrence (Larry) Lait sadly announces his passing in Calgary on April 6, 2025, at the age of 88.

Larry is remembered by his four children, Laurie Quist of Red Deer, Ron (Lucy) of Kelowna, Brad (Alison) of Calgary, and Jana (Eric) of Calgary; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Edna, his beloved wife of 66 years, died eight months before him in August 2024.

He and his siblings Arlene, Jim, and Dick were born in Medicine Hat to Wilfred and Marjorie (née Dickinson). His favourite childhood memories were riding horses at his grandfather’s farm and with friends through the canyons and plains of southern Alberta.

Larry married Edna in 1958 when he was 21 and she was 17. Laurie, Ron, and Brad were born by the time he was 25. Jana was born when he was 34.

His newspaper career started at age 10 delivering the Medicine Hat News. At 15, he left school to follow in his father’s footsteps and apprenticed to become a printer at the paper. After 7 years there, the family moved to Red Deer in 1963 for his job in the composing room of the Red Deer Advocate. He retired after 37 years at the Advocate.

Larry’s favourite activities were hiking and backpacking in Alberta, BC, the US, and New Zealand. He scuba dived in Alberta’s mountain lakes and in oceans around the world. He enjoyed photography and customizing vans for camping. After work most days, he lifted weights while listening to the country music mix tapes he made. In retirement, he and Edna tended a prizeworthy garden, golfed, and square danced. He was a member of the Red Deer River Naturalists, the Alberta Scuba Diving Council, and the Alberta Wilderness Association.

Larry showed his love through so many acts of service and by giving his family the gift of his time. He was a hard worker with a love of learning and a dry sense of humour. He played a mean crib game. He taught us to stop and enjoy the wildflowers on our hikes, but to never pick them so that everyone else could enjoy them too.

Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Inglewood Seniors Residence in Red Deer and Whitehorn Village in Calgary.

If desired, donations in his memory can be made directly to the Alberta Wilderness Association.  https://albertawilderness.ca

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