Regional hospital with Rosemarie at his side.
Carl was predeceased by his son Jeremy in 1978. Left to mourn Carl are his loving wife, Rosemarie Sherban and his adoring stepdaughter Rosalind Robertson (Vijay Chauhan), his siblings, Ella (Rich) Irwin,
Nanaimo, Tom (Caryl) Saarinen Tucson, Bob (Dolores) Saarinen Cochrane, Elizabeth (Dalmo) Carra
NewYork, Rosemarie’s siblings, Sonia (Steve) Shamchuk Edmonton, Orest (Jeri)Sherban Calgary and
many nieces and nephews. As well, Carl leaves a great number of very dear friends he gathered
throughout his life.
Carl was born and raised in Calgary, a proud Inglewood boy, cherishing his Danish Heritage. He
attended the U of Alberta, UBC on an athletic scholarship, and the U of Calgary. He was the
consummate athlete, excelling at any sport he took up. His passion was football and for a brief time
played with the Calgary Stampeders until an injury ended his professional career. Carl was employed by
the Calgary Board of Education for many years, teaching IB history and excelling as a football coach. He
retired from the CBE in 1992.
Carl was a true Renaissance man who, besides sports and mountaineering, enjoyed the opera,
symphony concerts, quoting Shakespeare, cooking excellent gourmet dinners and savouring excellent
wines. He was a most avid reader and loved his cryptic puzzles. In 2000, Carl and Rosemarie moved to
Nanaimo where in the next 17+ years, Carl created and maintained two beautiful gardens, a front
garden, which was “deer proof” and a back garden full of beautiful flowers. Carl was fortunate to join the
ROMEOS (Retired Old Men Eating Out) for dinner followed by an excellent bridge game every Monday.
Cruising became a favourite holiday for Carl. He called a cruise his “holiday from retirement.” He
thought retirement was simply the best time of his life only comparable to the time when he was
footloose and fancy free travelling the world with his brother Tom.
Deepest thanks to Rosemarie’s brother, Orest who travelled from Calgary to help make Carl’s last days
at home more comfortable and for the immeasurable support he gave Rosemarie through this difficult
time.
Carl requested there be no funeral or celebration of life. He would prefer that family and friends think of
him when attending a sporting event, an opera, a lovely concert or perhaps enjoying a gourmet dinner
with excellent wine. In his memory, a memorial bench with his and Jeremy’s names will be placed in
Neckpoint Park Nanaimo, in a location where people can rest and gaze across the Georgia Strait at the
mainland that Carl called “Canada”.
Carl has also requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to either the Athletic program at
the University of Calgary https://netcommunity.ucalgary.ca/dinosathleticsfund or the Vancouver Island
Symphony (250-754-0177) PO BOX. 661. Nanaimo BC V9R 5L7
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