Lee Farquharson

It is with tremendous sadness that we share the news of the passing of Robin Lee Farquharson. Lee passed away peacefully at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at the age of 72 surrounded by his best friend, partner and loving wife, Colleen; and nieces Sarah and Maegan.

Lee is survived by his wife, Colleen Killingsworth; sister-in-law Maureen Maclise (nee Killingsworth) (Jeff Cole); nieces and nephews Sarah Webster (Christian), Maegan Ross (Chris), Michael Killingsworth (Sandy), Mitch Killingsworth and Alycia White (nee Killingsworth) (Jim), and great-nephews and nieces Owen, Elissa, April, Jack, Melissa, Mikey, Taryn, Brianna, Madyson and Ayden. Watching his goddaughters Carissa Crockett, Liliana and Maya Kalmakoff become the amazing young women they are brought him immense joy. He also leaves behind an amazing circle of friends and the Calgary Winter Club community who will always hold him in their hearts. He is predeceased by his parents Kenneth and Betty Farquharson, sister Julie Clark (nee Farquharson) and father-, mother- and brother-in-law Ben, Dee and Terry Killingsworth.

He was far too young to go, but he fit a tremendous amount of life into the years he was with us.

Lee was born in Newmarket, Ontario on May 1, 1951. He grew up on Lake Wilcox with the full Farquharson clan (immediate family, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins), attended Guelph’s Ontario Agriculture College and began his career in animal research at Toronto’s Children’s Hospital. In 1976, Lee followed his good friend John Kemp to Calgary to ski and pursued an opportunity at Pioneer Land, which allowed him to call Calgary home. After completing the Petroleum Landman courses at SAIT, he spent the rest of his career as a surface and mineral landman. Lee retired in 2013.

Lee met the love of his life, Colleen, on a Caribbean cruise in 1994; they were married in 1996. His love for travel and adventure took him hiking in the Rockies, Patagonia, Italy and Machu Picchu; sailing in the Caribbean, New Zealand, the Galapagos, and to Cape Horn; biking in Belgium and the Netherlands; to the 144th Open at St. Andrews and chasing the final legs of the Tour de France; learning how to play polo in Argentina; exploring the moai on Easter Island; horseback riding in the Andes and Rockies; kayaking off Vancouver island; attending baseball and football games; and walking the great wall of China to name a few.

Lee was a parrot head at heart and loved Jimmy Buffet’s island lifestyle. He was happiest when he was socializing with and entertaining friends and family around the dining room table or at Farky’s bar. He loved to golf, ski, play hockey and tennis. Lee enjoyed expanding his hobbies to include vintage cars by helping his father-in-law, Ben, restore his 1932 Ford Tudor, Grace, and showing it at three Deuce Days in Victoria.

Lee was a gentle soul who was taken from us far too early, but will be remembered for his positive demeanour, smile, sense of humour, kindness and generosity. He inspired many and his legacy will remain with us forever.

The family would like to thank all of his amazing health-care team for always advocating for him and providing him with compassionate care. Cremation has been entrusted to Foster’s Garden Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alberta Cancer Foundation in his memory, or show a random act of kindness, make someone laugh or hug a loved one. A celebration of life is being planned for a later date.

It's been a lovely cruise. Bubbles up.