John McCuaig

Born in Cranbrook, B.C., to parents John David McCuaig and Lenora Graham. Predeceased by his father John David McCuaig; mother Lenora Svendsen; stepfather Carlo Svendsen; and sister Adelta Lenora McCuaig.

John lived and worked in Edgewater for a farmer at 16, where he would run horses and milk a cow every morning, while the farmer ran the plough. His first job was at the Harry Moore’s lumber mill before he joined the army Tank Corp in Vancouver. He had wanted to fly airplanes, but just after finishing bootcamp the atomic bomb ended the war, and John returned to Edgewater. He attended an Edmonton Vocational School to learn welding, and shortly after bought a Harley Davidson

John returned to Invermere, where he worked for the Department of Mines and Resources for 5 years with his lifelong friend, Joe Taylor (Sanda Taylor). During this time, he drove big trucks, moved camps around Revelstoke area, worked on gauge houses, and graphed for dams.

He quit this job and went to Alaska to work for Western Water Wells, and upon his return, bought his own driller where he drilled water wells throughout Cranbrook, Kimberly, Invermere, and Radium. He sold his driller, and followed an engineer into road construction, where he apprenticed as a mechanic with National Naughton Standard Gravel.

John became a Heavy Duty Mechanic with his Class 1 license. He went to work for Standard General, where he remained for 33 years.

He bought his plane, a Piper Super Cub, CFL NY, which he would fly between Prince George, Smithers, and many other locations. He also bought a brand new 1962 Thunderbird. John loved to fly and drive, “fast but safe”, he would say.

John made many dear friends and was loved for his kindness and self-giving. He truly knew how to enjoy his life. John belonged to the Calgary Petroleum Ski Club for many years, racing down the ski hills in Canada and the United States. He traveled across Canada and into the States with his Elante Winnebago, enjoying his membership with the Good Sam community. Later in life, John attended the Jehovah Witness fellowship, fed the birds and spent many hours with his neighbour. When asked how he was doing, he would state, “I’m not complaining, the Good Lord has seen fit to keep me going so far, and I thank Him every day”! We will miss you tremendously John, and look forward to seeing you again, lovingly your extended family.

A Funeral Service will be held at Foster’s Garden Chapel, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Friday, August 28, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery.

The service will be live streamed for those who wish to attend virtually, please click on the link in the service area below the obituary.

This obituary has been authorized by the family for posting on Foster’s Garden Chapel Funeral Home’s website. As such, it is protected against any reproduction or redistribution without prior consent from the family.