Cecil Claude DALY

DALY, Cecil Claude June 13, 1927 - July 20, 2008 Born in Rangoon, Burma, Cec moved to England with his family at the age of ten. He was educated at the Royal Masonic School for Boys in Bushey, Hertfordshire, and joined the British Army in 1945. He spent three and a half years in the army, eventually becoming a Lieutenant with the Royal Ulster Rifles. While in the army, Cec would hone a skill that would serve him well throughout the rest of his life - piano playing. In January of 1949, Cec moved to Canada and settled in Calgary. He started his career in the oil patch in 1950 with General Petroleums, leaving there in 1955 to join the Seaman Brothers at Hi-Tower. Cec spent a decade with the Seamans, ultimately becoming a Vice President at Bow Valley Industries. Also during this time Cec became a fixture in the Calgary Jazz scene, fronting his own trio and playing a big part in Calgary's "Foggy Manor" years. 1962 saw Cec marry Betty, and in 1964 his son Conan was born. In 1965 Cec started his own independent drilling company, C.C. Daly & Associates. In 1983 Cec shifted gears and began playing an eighteen year stint at "the best gig in town" - house piano player at the Delta Bow Valley's Lobby Lounge. He would retire from there in 2001, subsequently playing piano recreationally with his friends, and enjoying his role as "Grandad". Cec is survived by his wife, Betty; his son and daughter-in-law, Conan and Kerstin Daly; his grandsons Kieran and Christian Daly; his brother Robert (Sheila) of Victoria, B.C., as well as many nieces and nephews and dear friends. He was predeceased by his father Patrick, mother Avis, sister Patricia, and brothers John and Pat. A celebration of Cec's life will be held at St. James Catholic Church Parish Hall (5504 - 20 Street S.W.) on Friday, July 25, 2008 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. All friends of the family are welcome. Condolences may be forwarded to the family through www.commemorativeservices.ca . Arrangements in care of COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES FUNERAL DIRECTORS. Telephone: 403-265-1199. Calgary Family Owned and Operated www.commemorativeservices.ca Published in the Calgary Herald from 7/23/2008 - 7/25/2008