Obituary
Leroy, a quintessential Albertan, was a founding member of the Canadian Association of Drilling Engineers, and for nearly 60 years he worked the international “oil patch”. His work history, around the world, placed him at the industry’s exploration frontiers, and included assignments in the Beaufort Sea and The Grand Banks of Newfoundland.
Leroy invented and worked on new technologies, and was involved with some of the most dramatic moments in the industry, including the 1982 Lodgepole Blowout (the worst sour gas blowout in Alberta’s history). Leroy has provided the Petroleum History Society of Canada with a broad spectrum of valuable knowledge and lore due to his strategic vantage point as a laborer, a manager, and a trainer of new professionals.
Leroy grew up near Bowden, worked for the Alberta Wheat Pool, and had summer jobs on drilling rigs in the area. He decided to become an engineer after observing who, at the rig, “drove the fancy car.”
Leroy met his future wife, Marina Lynch-Staunton, while working on a gas well near her family’s Antelope Butte Ranch. Marina and Leroy, while living in Calgary, had a house and land at the ranch, worked there (often on horseback), and spent weekends and summers on the ranch with their twin daughters.
Leroy, preceded in death by Marina (2018), is survived by his daughters, Monica Field/McIntyre (David) and Elizabeth Perry (Bill); by Elizabeth’s and Bill’s children, Simon Perry, Brenden Perry (Jazmin), Elsa Taylor (Rob); and by many friends and family members.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 14th, at St. Aidan and St. Chad Anglican Church, Cowley, AB. Condolences may be registered at www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca.
Fantin’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with the arrangements.
(403) 562-8555
To send flowers to Leroy’s family, please visit our floral section.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Leroy John Field May 13 1931 February 21 2020 (age 88)..
Décès pour la Ville: Blairmore, Province: Alberta