Obituary of Thomas Dean Cripps

June 16, 1957 - Calgary, Alberta

April 5, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Thomas “Tom” Dean Cripps, beloved husband of Penelope “Penny” Anne Cripps (nee Lee), of Kananaskis, AB, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 5, 2024, after a brave battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

Tom was born in Calgary, AB, on June 16, 1957. He moved to Kananaskis in March 1998 to start his life with his soon-to-be other half, which made a quarter century in September.

He graduated from S.A.I.T. with a degree in Chef Training but spent most of his working life doing groundskeeping and maintenance.

Tom had a passion for any Calgary sports team. He spent many hours working the parking lot at both the Flames and Stampeders games. He also spent many years working at the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. He loved his Disney Vacations, before and after the kids, and got to swim with dolphins and sea otters. Of course, the serve-yourself soft-serve ice cream on the Disney Cruise ships was not frowned upon.

Besides his wife, Tom is survived by his daughter Susan of Fort St. John, BC, and his sons, Ken of Kananaskis, AB, and Ricky of Banff, AB. Tom was predeceased by his parents Gordon and Kaye, his two brothers Randy and Rick; and many pets; Lucky, Pepsi, Dizzy, Princess, Barney, Blitzen, Amber, Spud, Thumper, Red, and Smudge.

As per Tom's wishes, a private service will be held.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories, Administrative Office, 10531 Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton AB T5H 4K1. Tel: (1-866) 950-5465, www.alzheimer.ab.ca, or to the Alberta SPCA, 17904 118 Ave. NW, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T5S 2W3, Telephone: 780-447-3600, www.albertaspca.org.

Tom's family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff of Evanston Grand Village (Creekside) for their care and compassion for him over the last few years.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Tom’s family here.

In living memory of Thomas “Tom” Cripps, 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.