My name is MaryAnne and  my late husband Nick Oostlander and I were good  friends of your father and mother many years ago.  I was trying to look up Max recently and discovered he had passed away this past November. My sincere condolences. I remember  great times  together with your parents when we were young. After Nicks death , we lost touch . I think the last time I saw them was in 1994 when they came to visit me. 
Again my condolences . I hope you can find comfort in the memories. 
MaryAnne Vandervalk ( Oostlander)

My heartfelt condolences, and prayers for the whole Whittaker family! I'm sorry I can't be there to celebrate his life tomorrow :(

Max and I met in Jnr. High, and we became fast friends. He'd just moved with his mom and siblings from Drumheller. I learned a lot visiting his home and seeing how all the kids pulled together to make things work with an ailing mother. My hat comes off to his six siblings.
Max and I had paper routes, then worked parttime at Woodward's for many years, often getting off work and ending up at Karouso's late at night for the best pizza in Calgary. We completed several 36-to-42 Mile, Miles for Millions together. Max came in around 100, out of tens of thousands one year, running almost the whole way, wow! We enjoyed lots of cycling, exploring Calgary, and hiking/camping/fishing trips to Leman Lake. There was lots of talking and learning about girls until Max and Diane found each other. They made a wonderful couple and I admire Max's sacrifice, over many years to continue to support and love Diane as she failed with MS. In spite of that Max always had a wicked sense of humour, and a twinkle in his eye. He was always teasing and joking with everyone, including his wealthy his plumbing clients, who came to love him, and they were there to support him. 

Max never complained and always tried to make the lives of those he met a little more fun. 

I miss Max, and always will.

Love ya Max!

I always considered Max a hero.Love and care for Diane all those years.Supporting his family in all their endeavors.He was very proud of them.On top of that he made others feel valued .He cared.So glad he reached out to us cousins in Edmonton(Uncle Ivan's girls) giving frequent phone calls always with lots of humor and laughter. He will truly be missed.Another hero gone but not forgotten.
Cousin Joanne

Max was one of five boys in a household of seven children.  Our family, Max’s cousins, was five girls. My first memory of Max was that he was older, taller and somewhat mischievous, after all he was on summer vacation on the farm and he was a boy.  He had a laugh that was shared freely and abundantly, mostly when he managed to trick or embarrass one of us. I remember Max introducing us to “Kick the Can”, a popular version of hide n’ seek. The air felt cool, the end of a hot summer day and we were all running in different directions as quick as possible to hide behind a hay bale, a row of peas or my mother’s dahlias. Having Max there was some of the best entertainment of the summer. 

On one occasion a group of us cousins found ourselves gathered in a pen that had just been vacated by a herd of cattle. Plops of fresh cow pies littered the area. Spontaneously Max picked up a nearby stick, loaded it with fresh manure and cast it at a nearby cousin. The war was on.  I only remember laughing so hard that my mouth became a popular target. It may not be a story to recommend us for good behaviour but Max sure knew how to get us stirred up.

In person visits were few in our lives owing to geography mostly, so for the summer of 2022 Max cooked up a little reunion of cousins to meet at his summer retreat, a perch over the Bow River, just outside of Brooks, Alberta.  What a delight!!!  His property was a treasure trove of archaeological artifacts that activated the imagination and senses, not just an incredible landscape but actual dinosaur bones and pieces of amber.  In spite of scorching heat Max organized a feast and hours of visiting under a tarped area.  Privately my sister, Sandi, and I nicknamed the event “To the Max” and I made large mugs to commemorate it in Max’s honour. Today I remember him every time I use  my mug. 

Max, you were the best. You will always be remembered warmly.	All my love, Alex Ora, a.k.a. Marjorie Whittaker

Cousin Max was such  a  wonderful caring man,  full of  positivity and humor.  He really "could  make a dog laugh"  He so  loved  his family .               Max  never ended a phone call with out saying   Love Ya !                                 Well  Max    , Ive  missed those weekly phone calls  and   I Love  Ya !                           
                                                                                    Your  cousin  Sandy Whittaker        p.s    every  time i see  tomatoe  plants                                                                                  I think  of you .

My heart felt condolences go out to Natasha, Nick and especially Max's cherished grandchildren along with the rest of his family.

Max was such a wonderful person, so thoughtful and caring.

I got to know Max from our hockey playing days with Da Bears and was privileged to be his friend even after retirement from both hockey and plumbing.  Max was so good at staying in touch and through our many conversations it was evident of how proud he was of his family.

RIP Max.

Fare thee well Max - you were a good man.  
And say hello to Diane - remembering that you two were married and used our home for your reception, but I missed it (I regret that!) as I was with two other guys, trying to climb a mountain.
And you missed the comparison, but turns out that Tristan is not taller than me - although my edge isn't all that great.
Thanks for your help over the years.  Doug

Max was a beloved Brother and Brother-In-Law to Don and myself.  

He got Don into Plumbing and the two worked together on many projects over the years.  

They played hockey together and the two of them spent many nights together flooding the outdoor rink at Capitol Hill Community Centre.  

I would often look after the bar inside while they did the ice, or when Max had to head out on a plumbing job.

We shared the same Birthday, exactly  10 years apart, and Max would always try to call me before I could call him.  

This was easier for him when we moved to BC, as he was an hour ahead of us.

He was always the first to call with family news too, keeping us in the loop with all the goings on in the Whittaker/Christensen families.

He was Don’s Best Man at our Wedding as well, and always a huge supporter of our marriage.

We will miss him dearly.

With much love and affection,

Melanie and Don Whittaker

Max's superpower was being an incredible neighbour. He was always around to help and I specifically remember two occasions when he came to my rescue: He fixed my furnace one Christmas Eve! and helped pump a ton of water out of my basement another time. He knew I was living alone at the time and it was raining hard...he came over and yelled, Ginny (that was what he called me), do you need help? I sure do, Max. He could always be counted on!  I'm really going to miss him. RIP, Max. 
Jeri-lyn, Sean & Zach

Miss you buddy, really enjoyed our crazy days of two young haywire guys growing up in Capitol Hill.  Lots and lots of friendly banter back in forth even though I moved to BC we kept in touch..
Rest in Peace my friend !!
Tim Loader
Golden,BC

OBITUARY

Max Whittaker

January 29, 1955 – November 18, 2023

Foster's Garden Chapel Funeral Home & Crematorium

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