Alf (William Alfred) Peneycad

If there’s one thing everyone knows about Alf, it’s that he was impossible to take down. Stage four cancer? Beat it — twice. A heart valve transplant? Easy. Pneumonia? Came back swinging. Melanoma? No problem. Palliative care? Tried it, decided against it, and got right back on the golf course. He turned down operations that would have finished off anyone else, because Alf was no quitter, and when the going gets tough, there is still more golf to be played. Doctors may have predicted his end more times than we can count, but fortunately Alf had other plans.

Those plans always included golf. Through every illness, surgery, and scare, Alf’s love for the game kept him grounded, and gave everyone else the reassurance that he wasn’t going anywhere just yet. Only recently did he find the game too difficult to enjoy, and that’s when we knew life was finally asking him to slow down.

Born in Toronto, Alf grew up in Leaside, the backdrop for endless stories of boyhood mischief, a love of sports, and the birthplace of friendships that lasted a lifetime. He went on to McMaster University for his undergrad, and Queen’s for law school, collecting more tales of shenanigans and more lifelong friends along the way. He co-founded a law practice with his best pals Andrew Paton and Frank Richmond before moving into corporate law, where he built a long career at Petro-Canada, finishing as Vice President General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. By his side at Petro-Canada was his incredible assistant, Nancy Cochrane, who could probably write a whole book on Alf’s adventures herself. In 2005 Alf was named the National Post-ZSA Canadian General Counsel of the Year, "one of the country's most well-respected and best-liked General Counsel." To honour this achievement, the National Post and ZSA Legal Recruitment together established the Queen's Law Alf Peneycad Bursary, awarded to students in the Faculty of Law. Petro-Canada also contributed to this bursary, making it one of the largest independent bursaries at Queen's Law.

In 1977 in Toronto, Alf met Fiona, and together through 47 years of marriage, they raised their daughters, Andrea and Ashlyn. A move to Calgary in the mid 80’s opened a new chapter, one filled with more friends, more golf, and plenty of travel. After retirement, Alf sat on many boards, but somehow still managed to keep a full tee sheet. With Fiona, he spent 19 winters in Palm Desert, golfing, laughing, and adding to his ever-expanding circle of fabulous friends.

After retirement, Alf’s health woes began, and he spent many years under the care of “Dr Fiona” who we’re sure saved his life time and again. Miraculously, he lived long enough to do what we once thought impossible: walk both his daughters down the aisle and watch his grandchildren Weston, June, and Echo grow. These were the victories that mattered most.

On September 27, 2025, Alf passed peacefully at home, and on his own time and terms, surrounded by Fiona, Andrea and Ashlyn.

He will be deeply missed by his brother Jim (affectionately known as “Alfie”), Jim’s wife Donna, and their family, his son-in-laws, Chris and Hans, his sister-in-law Nicki, and by the enormous, loyal, network of friends Alf collected across Toronto, Calgary, Palm Desert, and all the golf courses in between. Although there are too many to name them all, a few shout-outs to his pals Mike and Hammy, Andy, Bruce, Pete, Rick, and Sparkey.

Alf will be warmly remembered for his humor, storytelling, love of chocolate, and generosity. He taught us that laughter, strength, and friendship can carry you through just about anything. And that there’s always time for one more round of golf.

In the great clubhouse beyond, Alf has already ordered a round for everyone. Cheers, Dad.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Calgary, at Earl Grey golf course, on Thursday, October 16th, from 2:00–4:00 p.m. An additional Celebration of Life will be held in Toronto on Thursday, October 23rd, from 2:00–4:00 p.m., at Thornhill Golf Course and also in Palm Desert at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Alf's name to the Calgary Stampede Foundation.