In Loving Memory: Clifford Purves – Memento Funeral Chapel

Clifford “Cliff” Purves Obituary
With heavy hearts the family of Clifford Purves announces his passing at the age of 71 in Cold Lake, AB, on July 16th, 2025.

Left to celebrate with cherished memories of their 44-year marriage is wife Doreen (nee Schellenberg), after they met in Saskatoon in 1979 and embarked on an adventure that would take their family to Calgary, Breton, Spirit River, and finally to Cold Lake.

Cliff’s children Stephen (Chantel), John (Tiffany) and Andrea (Sean) fondly recall numerous family trips, camping and exploring through the States, and always being involved with Cliff’s active community roles whether it was with the Elks, the Ag Society, the community garden, or anyone who might need a helping hand. Cliff instilled his amazing sense of humor, compassion, and integrity in all his children (even if it involved blowing bubbles through a straw trying to revive a pet fish for Andrea), raising Elk and working with John on Fred and Vickie’s farm, or pinning Steve’s wings on when he became a pilot. The laughs shared in the kitchen and around the fire at hunting camp will always echo in the kids’ minds, and the life lessons and wisdom shared by Cliff will continue to carry them forward through their own adult lives.

Cliff is lovingly remembered by the apple of his eye, his six grandchildren- Logan, Kennedy, Connor, Eric, Parker and Evelyn, for the countless hours spent together in the garden and kitchen, where Cliff would share his love of the outdoors and patiently welcomed assistance from little hands as he shared his experience from the farm with canning and preserves. These quiet moments created a legacy of respect for the beauty and bounty of nature that will live on through his grandkids. Grandpa was always the hero who came to the events with a twinkling tear of pride in his eye, would always put down the book he was reading to play a round of a board game, and who always managed to find a popsicle or ice cream for the kids before dinnertime.

Cliff was welcomed by his parents Ross and Edythe on May 10th, 1954, in Regina, SK and brought home to the homestead in Riceton. There he would grow up with his four brothers Gord (Irene), Bill (Helen), Jack (Rita), Don (Carol), and their sister Penny (Shawn). Along with farm responsibilities, Cliff enjoyed hunting, Air Cadets, curling, and a devotion to community engagement. He would go on to study finance which would lead to multiple Branch Manager roles with the Alberta Treasury Branch, and in 2001 Cliff became a Vice President with the Lakeland Credit Union until he retired in 2013.

Cliff and Doreen always had an open door for friends and family, hosting chaotic family Christmases (with his traditional Christmas Day deep fry), and Cliff was always ready to feed an army. They also took many exciting trips, favouring Costa Rica, Honduras, Jamaica, and Mexico with their good friends Merrill and Jeannine. Cliff, aka “Senor Cleef”, treasured a unique trophy awarded to him by Merrill, on one of these trips for an exceptionally great Sailfish catch while out at sea.

Cliff is predeceased by his parents Ross (1980), Edythe (2005), brothers Gord (2014), Bill (2025), mother in law Evelyn (2016) and brother in law Shawn (2025). He will be missed by countless friends, extended family members, nieces and nephews, and all those he met along his journey.

The entire Purves family would like to express their gratitude for the love and support they are receiving at this difficult time. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Cliff’s name to the Alberta Mental Health Foundation @ mentalhealthfoundation.ca