It is with heavy hearts that the family of Blair Stephen Handel (Aissattsaaki) announces his passing on April 10, 2016 at the age of 51 years.
Blair will be lovingly remembered by his wife and best friend of over 30 years Georgia, his sons Tyler (Nicole) Babkirk, Al (Charlotte) Handel, Jesse (Kaylee) Handel, daughter Michelle Olivier-DaCunha, mother Sharon Wallace, sister Alanna (Jason) Parker, brother Ken Wallace Jr., grandsons Johnny, William, Dominic and Vincent, mother-in-law Isabel Olivier, sisters-in-law Karen Dumont, Yvonne Olivier, Yvette (Darcy) Zentner, Michelle (Joe) Olivier, Lisa (Jason) Lintner, Michelle Crowchief, brother-in-law Michael (Nora) Crowchief, his aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous nieces and nephews. Blair was predeceased by his father Alfred Handel, step-father Ken Wallace, father-in-law George Olivier and brother-in-laws Dan Dumont and Larry White and sister-in-law Faye Anne Crowchief.
Blair was born and raised in Calgary where he attended Lord Beaverbrook High School and later SAIT. As a young boy Blair played hockey and baseball and loved to fish. He and his sister helped their mother out a lot as their dad had Multiple Sclerosis and was a paraplegic. Blair always spoke fondly about the summers spent in their backyard pool in Fairview. Blair started his 20 year career with Telus in 1981 in materials management and later worked for P&H MinePro Services, Mine Air Systems, Feedlot Health Management Services and AgriVet Inc. before starting up an IT business. He also had a hardwood flooring business for a few years and he and his brother won the National Floor of the Year award, Masters Division in 2002.
Blair met Georgia in 1985 and they bought their first house in Okotoks in 1989. They were married on May 2nd, 1992. Blair was a smart creative man and everything he did; he did with a passion. He was a talented wood worker and artist and it gave him so much pleasure to surprise family and friends with gifts he made. He was a genuine down to earth person and it was rare to see Blair without a Storm Rider jean jacket on and a smoke in his hand. Blair will be fondly remembered for the stories he liked to tell about the old days which always made everyone laugh, especially himself! Blair loved to vacation in tropical destinations and Las Vegas and to go camping with family and friends. He taught his sons to cook, fish and camp and he treasured sunny days by his pool with his wife and family. He also enjoyed golfing, hanging out with the guys to watch the NFL and watching UFC with his sons.
Words cannot begin to express how much Blair will be missed; he was truly a rock to his wife and children. The family would like to thank everyone for their support during this difficult time and the RCMP detachments in Okotoks and Turner Valley for their efforts.

A Celebration of Blair's Life will be held at the Highwood Memorial Centre, 128 - 5 Avenue West, High River, on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Blair’s name to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (www.mssociety.ca) or the Nature Conservancy of Canada (www.natureconservancy.ca).

This notice placed courtesty of Snograss Funeral Homes

Ph: (403) 652-2222