LONGEWAY, Eric Arthur
June 26, 1926 – Calgary, Alberta
May 22, 2021 – Rocky View County, Alberta
It is with great sadness, that we announce the peaceful passing of Eric Longeway, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, farmer and friend on Saturday May 22, 2021, at home on the farm, just one month short of his 95th birthday.
Eric was born on June 26, 1926, the youngest child of Howard and Alice Longeway, and spent his entire life living on his beloved Rockyview Farm in Springbank, Alberta. He rode his horse to the two room Springbank School and later attended Western Canada High School in Calgary. Eric was a keen student and enjoyed school. Eric went on to study at Olds Agriculture College and received a scholarship to the University of Alberta, where he studied Agriculture. He belonged to many clubs and enjoyed college life, and activities with many friends. University for him was cut short when his father passed away and he came home to help run the farm.
Growing up on a farm where they raised and milked Jersey cows, as well as raising chickens and other poultry, pigs, sheep, mink, bees, and horses, Eric was no stranger to work. Everyone helped with chores on the farm. Eric joined the Springbank Calf Club, which later became the Springbank 4H Dairy Club. He showed his Jersey calves and excelled at judging and public speaking. He later was a Leader of the club and passed on his dairy cattle knowledge to many young people including his own children.
In 1951, Eric married Betty McGregor and for a city girl, she became very involved in the farm and the Springbank community. They raised four children who were also very involved in the dairy farm. In 1994 the Jersey herd was dispersed, and Eric and the family began raising beef cattle, sheep and many other critters, and put-up good quality hay.
Eric spent many years showing his purebred Jersey cattle at the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, where he was also a volunteer on the Dairy Cattle Committee for thirty-three years. He always enjoyed teaching others about the dairy industry at events like Aggie Days. Eric was proud to receive a Calgary Stampede Life Member award for his years of Stampede Agriculture commitment. He was also President of the Canadian Jersey Cattle Club and was honored to help promote the ‘little brown cows’ he so loved.
Eric was very involved in the Springbank community his entire life. He belonged to the Springbank United Church, the Springbank Historical Society, the Springbank Community Association, the Springbank Garden Club (where he started the Jr. Garden project encouraging young people to grow a garden), the Springbank Park for All Seasons, and the Springbank Heritage Club. He also served on the Rocky View Ag Service Board for many years.
Eric received many awards for his service and volunteerism: Life Member of Jersey Canada, Alberta Dairy Award of Distinction, Rocky View Outstanding Citizenship Award, the Jim Clark Distinguished Service Award, the Alberta Centennial Medal, Rocky View and Calgary Stampede Farm Family Award, and the Alberta Minister’s Senior Service Award.
Eric loved to sing and was part of the Springbank United Church choir and the Springbank Heritage Club Senior Singers. He also spent a lot of time reading, poems and books on local history and the western and rural way of life. Eric looked forward to spending time at the Springbank Heritage Club and loved playing cards, visiting with friends and sharing a laugh. Eric also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and liked to share his stories and history of the family and community. Eric also had an amazing garden for many years and liked to share his gardening expertise with many others especially at the Springbank Fall Fair.
Eric is lovingly remembered by son Howard, daughter Debbie (Pat Lee), granddaughter Danielle Lee (Mark Grant), grandson Jeff Lee; son Jim (Val), granddaughter Amy (Glen Miller), granddaughter Erin (Nathan Krahn), great-grandsons Caius and Keegan Krahn; grandson Eric; and son Ken (Melissa Hartwell). Eric will be missed by good friends Roy and Mary Burke, and special friend, Terry Gathercole. Eric was predeceased by his wife Betty, his parents, his sister Elizabeth, his brother Gerald, and sister-in-law Sally.
A Celebration of Eric’s Life will be held at a later date when we can all gather together safely.
If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Springbank Heritage Club, 244168 Range Road 33, Calgary Alberta T3Z 2E7. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Eric’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.
Our deepest appreciation and thanks to Dr. Lana Lovo, and to Jennifer Thompson and the team at Cochrane Home Care for helping us keep Dad at home on the farm where he wanted to be.
In living memory of Eric Longeway, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.
