Fond memories of Percy chatting in the sunshine in Osoyoos. Whatgood times we had, and more to share with you Barb.

My thoughts are with you and your family during this time.  May your heart be filled with the special memories you've had together over the years.

Barb and Family, my condolences on the loss of Percy.

Barb and family, so sorry on your loss of Percy, I will always have fond memories of Percy with Barb at the lake and at home in Airdrie.

We had many a laugh  and a few G&T's with Barb and Percy in Osoyoos. Percy was such a character. He enjoyed people and was always interested in finding out where they came from and what they did. As Peter is a car fanatic he and Percy got on very well from our first HI! It was great to listen to Percys' stories. His experiences, and memories of England were fascinating to hear. His  pride and love of driving was apparent and it was a heavy blow when he had to set this aside. His love for Barb and his family was very evident. His face would light up when he proudly related the latest achievement a son or grandchild had attained. Percy was a plain speaking man, he was a gentleman of the old ways. He was honest, dependable, proud of what he had achieved in his lifetime, and always willing to lend a hand to whomever he met. It is with sadness we learned of Percy's passing but I am sure he is already regaling someone with his stories. 
Our condolences to you Barb, and your family.

Sorry I couldn't be with you all at this sad time. This video shows that you have a lot of happy memories to carry with you into the future. Hope to see you in the Spring. Love, Jim.

David and I were saddened to hear about Percy's passing but his stories from all the years will live on in our memories. Hugs to Barb and your family.

 I first met Percy when I was 16 yrs old at the Thames Valley Bus company.He worked in the Body Shop and me being the office junior it was my job to go round if any collections were needed It wasnt long before i met all the Webb family..Arthur and peter his two brothers who also worked their,.then i was soon made welcome up to MUM and Dad .We all got on so well it was one big happy family ,most weekends we would all go down the coast(by this time per cy had a motor bike also peter and Arthur a car.Percy painted me a blue crash helmet to match Peter bike.As time got on Percy got a car,he said one day would you like me to teach you to drive...my..bless him he was the only one that would trust me..believe it or not we were driving along and the door wasnt shut properly ,it caught on the curb and the door fell off...this is something i never will forget.i was crying and all he said was oh dear.Percy you will never be forgotten.what about one of your trips to England when every thing was bigger and better than we had and i said to you..i suppose your brussels are bigger than our cabbages and with that grin and a twinkle in your eye you just nodded.We all missed you all when you all went to Canada but it proved it to be the right thing you have two lovely boys and a lovely wife( I  am proud to call her my Sister-In- Law.) and i guess we all have to do what we feel is best.Well Percy you sure will be missed it doesnt matter the distant between us it the good times and memories we have that matters you have left behind good times and lovely memories so Rest now in peace.free from all pain Miss You Love You ,,,,Shirley and Peter

This is the text of the tribute I gave at Dad's funeral:

Good morning and thank you for joining us here to celebrate Percy's life.
  
I would like to offer you some perspective on the special man that was my father.

Percy's formative years in England coincided with the dark period that was World War II.  Whenever I used to visit his childhood home on Marsack Street in Caversham, Reading, I was always struck by the large industrial laundry complex right across the street from their house – much less than a stone's throw away.

The significance of those buildings, imposing themselves on a quiet residential street as they did, is that was where Dad and his family went to shelter from the air-raids that occurred frequently during the blitz.  It always seemed to me, at least as a youngster, that it must have been quite convenient to have the air-raid shelter that close.

Only in later years did it occur to me that while, yes it would have been convenient, and maybe even somewhat reassuring, to have it that close, it also brought the war practically to the Webb's front door on nearly a nightly basis – as much of the surrounding neighborhood scurried to shelter themselves.  I know that the frequent and intense fear this produced, coupled with the deprivation that was ever-present at that time, had a significant impact on a 13 year old boy.

My purpose in describing the context of Percy's childhood is not to convey my viewpoint on war and certainly not to describe it in nostalgic or glorified terms.  Instead, I want to share that I believe it became a foundational element within his character.  And not in subtle or esoteric ways.  Dad was not a complicated character – rather, he was practical and pragmatic.  The things he liked and the things he deeply respected were practical things.  And there were just as many things he didn't have any time for.  I am sure many of you have an appreciation for that!

One of the things he respected greatly was the Royal Air Force, mainly because of the contribution and sacrifices it made throughout the course of the war.  To Dad, the RAF was all about aviation – the aircraft, the pilots and the act of taking to the sky.  It interested and intrigued him greatly and this lasted all his life.  He was able to indulge this interest in several ways – including attending air shows, aviation museums and traveling to far-off places in modern jetliners. These are some of the endeavors I had the fortune of being able to share with Dad on a number of occasions.

As a young adult, Percy initially pursued his interest in aviation through participation in the Air Training Corps.  Below me here is a very interesting photograph showing him riding in the back of a WWI-era Tiger Moth biplane at Woodley airfield in October 1947.  He was also able to fly as a passenger in a variety of other, larger reserve aircraft during his time in the ATC.  Subsequently, Dad fulfilled his National Service commitment by joining the Royal Air Force itself in 1949.

Although he was not able to take to the air as a full-time occupation, he was able to make a significant contribution as a wireless operator.  In the post-war era, maintaining communication with the far-reaches of the fading British Empire was a critical function for the RAF.  This created a life-long interest in radio and led to Percy becoming a licensed ham radio operator in the early 70's – a hobby that gave him significant pleasure and one I was able to share with him.  My own participation in amateur radio helped to set the stage for many of my subsequent educational and professional pursuits.

His time in the RAF also gave Percy a strong sense of duty and a great affinity for wearing a uniform.  After he left the RAF in 1950, he re-joined the Thames Valley Bus Company where he had worked prior to his National Service.  For most of the next 40 years he worked “on the buses”, starting as a coach-builder or “body man”, becoming a driver and transit supervisor after immigrating to Canada.  Over the 21 years he worked for Calgary Transit, he proudly wore his driver's and inspector's uniform, following the “spit and polish” regimen he learned while in the RAF.

Above all, Percy was a practical man.  He was a skilled tradesman and took immense pride in a job well done.  He also had a curious interest in just about anything that had a mechanical or electrical nature to it – aircraft of all shapes and sizes, motorcycles, cars, buses, radio, Formula 1 and Calgary's LRT – which he took great pride in being qualified to operate.  I have no doubt that this curiosity had its roots in the events that unfolded during his formative years.  

Dad always had a genuine desire to understand and appreciate these complex creations but he was also the first to honestly and humbly admit there was a lot he didn't know.  He was a member of the generation that witnessed the greatest set of technological changes in the history of mankind and as most of us can appreciate, this can be overwhelming at times.  But he never let it dampen his enthusiasm and I know that has rubbed off on me.

I'd like to leave you with a few final thoughts, courtesy of the Royal Air Force Chaplain Service.  This is offered by Canon John Halkes and I hope you will find meaning in it as I have:

An Aviator's Prayer

Loving Lord you sustain us in life 
as the wind of your Holy Spirit moving over our wings
lifts us upward, mysteriously
into the unknown lightness of air,
safe from all the dangers around us.
Through your Son you teach us to seek and find
our destination and to help others in their search.
We pray that you bring us through the flight of our endeavours
to a safe landing and a welcome rest,
content in the knowledge of a task well done
and your will fulfilled. 
Amen

It goes without saying that we will miss Percy greatly.  However, we take comfort from the memories and reflections we have of all the things he did and accomplished and we are truly thankful for the life he lived.

Let me again offer my appreciation and that of our family to all of you for attending today.  I am looking forward to speaking with many of you during the reception after the service.

Thank You

Mike and family,
We send our sincere sympathies in the loss of your Dad.  We hope that through the coming days the heaviness of your hearts will lighten each day.

Dean and Shelly Norton, Airdrie

Mike and family,
Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with you and all the family at this sad time.
Sincere Sympathy, Chuck & Patti Norton, Airdrie, Alta

Here are a few things I remember most about Percy.
 
He loved certain places and never tired of visiting them over the years:  England, Hawai'i, the Okanagan.  England was always in his heart.  He really loved sitting in the sun and didn't mind hot weather.
 
As Shirley Webb, his sister-in-law mentioned, he did have a love of speed and driving fast—I've had a few fast car rides with Percy and also wondered how they would end up, but he did always get us there in one piece J  He loved motor vehicles:  motorcycles, cars, trucks, busses, RVs, you name it.  He loved hitting the road and never tired of driving.  He also loved Formula 1, something which Mike also loves.
 
He enjoyed his sweets.  I used to love it when dessert was offered and he would protest in a stock way, “Oh, I'm so full” or “My, what do we have here?” or “I can't eat all that”, but then he would eat it and enjoy it wholeheartedly, which is exactly as it should be.  He loved cake, cookies, cupcakes, pies, and candy, especially those jelly candies.  Thank goodness he was not part of the low-fat, low-cal, carb-counting generation which turns its back on the pleasures of eating.
 
He was a clean-living person and easy to understand.  He was hard working and didn't smoke or drink.  He had basic values which meant he worked hard and helped people if they needed help.  He was proper: he wore a suit well and was always clean shaven.  He was the kind of person you could take out to an event because he looked great.
 
He loved his Yorkies and operating the radio.  In earlier years he enjoyed woodworking and he was good at it, and the pieces he made for the grandchildren when they were young are ones we will always treasure.  He was from a generation that knew how to craft and create things, not just hit a button on a computer. 
 
He took pride in his work, whether it was building a fence, shining his truck, or woodworking.  He did a proper job once he started something.
 
He loved engaging in big, bold conversations where all the problems of the world could be entertained and solved.  
 
He loved to laugh when he wasn't absorbed in the aforementioned problem solving!
 
He loved and was proud of his two sons.  He loved Barb and was loyal and committed to her throughout their many years together.  
 
Darlene

To Barb and Family,very sorry to hear of Percy's passing.He will always be in our minds as a great friend.
Rest in piece Percy.

Our deepest condolences to Barb and the boys.  Percy was a great friend, neighbour and workmate.  Whenever there was an problem, Percy was there with a laugh, an opinion and a solution.  We need more men like him in this world.
Dave and Shirley Black.

To Barb and family: You are in our thoughts and prayers. I enjoyed working with Percy over the years. He was great to be around and always good for a conversation. A special gentlemen and will be missed.
Em & Gord Berberich (Okotoks)

Barb our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We will always be grateful for Percy encouraging us to move to Airdrie. We have fond memories of you both. 
Barry and Penny Freeman 
Lethbridge

Very sorry to hear of Percy's passing. He and I worked in the body shop industry and at Calgary Transit over the years and I always enjoyed talking to him. Our deepest condolences,

Our Condolences to Barb and Family,I had many coffee breaks with ,percy always a joy to be around him.
God Bless.
Ashley And Verna

"Our condolences to Barb, Mike, Phil and families at this time". Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Larry enjoyed working with Percy over the many years at CT. We enjoyed the friendship, meals, teas, before and after Percy's retirement. Beautiful pictures that you have shared.
Love; Larry and Sandy Stowards. Vernon, B.C.

My condolences to Barb and family. Percy was a good friend over many years, and always had a kind word and a story whenever we met. So sorry for your loss.

Bob Eccleston

Barb, My  thoughts  are  with  you and  the  Family. Marg Hodson. 
  Radium Hot Springs

Condolences to Barb and sons. Shared many lunches with Barb and Percy, always with a riveting story or two. Peace to all of you.

OBITUARY

Percy George Webb

July 25, 1930 – January 20, 2014

Foster's Garden Chapel Funeral Home & Crematorium

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services