Remembering Lawrence Luft

It is with profound sadness that we announce that Lawrence Kenneth Luft – beloved husband of our Incumbent, Rev. Bonnie – peacefully passed into glory at home with Bonnie by his side, on Saturday night. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

Lawrence was predeceased by his father Conrad (1992), mother Anna Katherine (1974), and older brothers Harvey (1974) & Donald (2016). Lawrence was the loving father of Cheryl Laureen Pearson; father-in-law of Bruce; grandfather of Cole, Jett, Tully and great-grandfather of Tarlo David-James – all residing in Australia. He is also survived by multiple generations of nieces and nephews who knew him as “Uncle Loggie.”

He will also be remembered by many friends, business associates and brothers- and sisters-in-Christ with whom he served at Anglican parishes across Calgary and the surrounding area.

Born in Calgary, Lawrence lived life well. As a youth, he worked his way through the scouts to become a Queen’s Scout. He joined naval cadets and participated in the HMCS TECUMSEH naval reserve. As a child growing up his father worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway, and Lawrence gained a deep love of train travel as he journeyed with his parents many times across Canada to visit family. His collection of artworks is a testament to the passion he felt for trains. He was also passionate about martial arts – Kungfu, Tai Chi, Karate, Hapkido, the list goes on. Exercise was his passion and at 83 he was living proof of that.

Lawrence was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Bridgeland, and he and Bonnie were married there on November 2, 1974. He came back into faith in the 1980s at St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Calgary, and has faithfully served God ever since. One of his greatest joys was to have his three grandchildren from Australia baptized at St. Luke’s.

Bonnie and Lawrence were the quintessential ‘team couple.’ They operated The Printman – a printing and graphic design business in Calgary, riding the waves of the city's boom-bust cycle throughout the 1980s, '90s and 2000s. And in 1996, when Bonnie discerned a call to ordained ministry, he remained her partner in all things. He continued running the company during her time at Seminary and in the early years of her ministry, before retiring in the early 2010s. He was a dedicated minister of the Gospel in his own right, serving from the altar to the sound board and everywhere in-between – wherever he was needed. He provided the calming and welcoming presence of Christ to all he encountered.

A Funeral Service was held at his home parish of St. Peter’s on Saturday, November 2, 2024. You can watch a recording of the service by clicking on this link. Lawrence's ashes were inurned at Mountain View Cemetery, following the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Lawrence to St. Peter’s at this address, or by e-transfer to donate@stpeterscalgary.ca.