It is with profound sadness that the family of Wayne David Huddleston of Ma-Me-O Beach, Alberta announces his peaceful passing on the 16th of September, 2021 at the age of 73 years.
He will lovingly be remembered by his wife, Carolyn; daughter, Carla (Trent) Smith; grandson’s, Owen and Ethan Smith; daughter, Andrea Lindal; grandchildren, Abigale and Alexander Armeneau.
Wayne is survived by his three sisters and one brother, Joan (Ken) Wilson, Shirley (Morris) Duperron, Jim (Lenore) Huddleston, Trudy (Larry) Antoniuk; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Allister Barton Huddleston; mother, Reta Jacqueline Olesiuk; and sister, Carol Lynn Huddleston.
Wayne was born in Whitehorse, Yukon and as an Air Force brat spent part of his childhood years in Chatham, NB and Cold Lake, AB. After his fathers retirement the family moved back to the family farm in Strome, AB and later to where the family farmed in Wildwood, AB. This is where Wayne found his love for the country which forever remained in his heart. Wayne enjoyed hunting at Wildwood in the “Back 40” with his friends and family. He loved nothing more than being amongst nature. His love for hunting began as a young boy and the old saying “you can take the boy out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the boy” remained with Wayne until his passing.
Wayne’s passion for drumming started in Vancouver, BC at the age of 17. Throughout his life, Wayne played in numerous bands in Edmonton and he always had a passion to “Jam” with the many musicians he met over the years including those musicians in Country Roads our winter home in Yuma, AZ where he founded the 595 Club. Jamming in Fort Saskatchewan with the Basement Boys band that was made up of family members was a time he would forever cherish. He paved the way for his brother and nephews who also had a love for drumming and pursued their love for music following in Wayne’s footsteps.
At the same time, he pursued his career as a Welder and Rigger with Local 146 of the Boilermakers and was a member for 48 years and gained many lifelong friendships with his Boilermaker brothers and sisters.
In 2002, Wayne required a liver transplant and received the generous donation of one lobe from his brother-in-law Ken. This was to be the first non-related liver transplant that the team at the University of Alberta Transplant Team had performed. They made headlines in the newspaper as well as on television. Ken’s generous donation added twenty years to Wayne’s life, and we will be forever grateful for that.
In 2007, after 30 years of living in Fort Saskatchewan, Wayne and Carolyn moved to Ma-Me-O Beach where he had his music studio that he could have his musician friends over to jam with and in the evening take pictures of the beautiful sunsets over Pigeon Lake.
Many years after retiring from the Boilermakers, Wayne started his own company, Conga Mechanical and Consulting Services, a career he had dreamt of for many years. He loved this career and again gained many friendships in the Pipeline Construction industry. Wayne was known for being a quiet, kind man of great integrity who loved to share his knowledge and enjoyed being a mentor for so many.
Wayne was known as a free spirit who loved his motorcycles and touring with his buddies in Canada and at his winter home in Yuma, AZ.
He will be missed by all those whose lives he touched.
Memorial donations may be made in Wayne’s name to the Alberta Transplant Institute.
The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at the University of Alberta Hospital Unit 5D4 for their care and compassion.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a Celebration of Life will be announced and held at a later date.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Wayne Huddleston 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Edmonton, Province: Alberta