Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Larry Chirka, husband of Annie and father of Julia and Paul.
Larry was born on March 20, 1951, in Edmonton and his family moved to Lethbridge when he started school. He completed high school and went on to the University of Lethbridge. Larry began working in television where he met Annie and shortly after was offered a position with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Winnipeg. The two married in 1978 and then transferred to Calgary, working side by side at the CBC. Larry had the opportunity to work on many broadcasts including the Seoul and Calgary Olympics, Commonwealth Games, countless Flames and Stampeders games as well as news specials, as both a cameraman and lighting director.
His daughter Julia was born in 1982 and his son, Paul in 1986. Larry loved his children dearly and was always very proud of their accomplishments.
Even before he started his career in television, Larry had an amazing eye for composition which led to his passion for photography. Wherever he travelled he brought his camera with him and captured the beauty of each place he visited. Starting in 2001 and up until the summer of 2022, he made many trips to Vancouver Island photographing his favorite subjects – bears and eagles. He befriended, studied, and documented a family of eagles over those twenty years.
Larry also had a love of music, reading, and storytelling. He always had an appreciation and open heart for other cultures and was driven by curiosity. Extremely thoughtful with his gifts and always considerate of those close to him, he will be remembered for his generous and kind nature.
Larry is predeceased by his mother, Helen, and father, Paul. He is survived by his wife Annie; children Julia and Paul; brother Don Chirka; sister-in-law Sherry, and their son Zac.
Special thanks to all the doctors and nurses on Unit 37 at the Foothills Hospital for their wonderful care and compassion for Larry in the short time he was there. Annie, Julia, and Paul are also deeply appreciative of the incredible support and love received from friends and family.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter’s Catholic Church (541 Silvergrove Drive NW) Calgary on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 1:00 pm. For those unable to attend, the funeral will be live-streamed HERE.
If friends choose, donations can be made to the Thornton Creek Fish Hatchery or the Alberta Wilderness Association.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Larry Allan Chirka March 20 1951 October 30 2022 (age 71)..
Death notice for the town of: Calgary, Province: Alberta
Our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Larry’s family and friends. We are so shocked and saddened by his sudden passing. May he Rest In Peace.
Sending loving, heartfelt condolences to Anne, Paul & Julia. Rest in peace Larry. May you fly with the eagles, dear friend.
So sorry for your loss. Harry and I had the privilege of seeing Larry at Mara Lake this summer. We reminisced about the good ole days growing up in Lethbridge. He spoke with great fondest of his dear wife Annie and how proud he was of Paul and Julia. Know we are thinking about you at this time.
Sheryl & Harry Harder
Both my husband (Victor Breau) and I offer our deepest condolences to the whole family. We
had many conversations with Larry over the last few years when he learned that we moved to Vancouver Island from Alberta many years ago… he told us how much he loved the Island…
Joy Berlando (former class mate) WCHS