Morley Kolomyjec passed away at his
home in Duncan, British Columbia on January 18,
1997
in his 64th year.
Morley was born in Drumheller, Alberta where he attended
elementary and high school. He obtained a diploma in Survey and
Drafting Technology while attending a two-year course at what is
now known as the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in
Calgary.
Morley commenced employment with the Department of Highways,
Government of Alberta, in May
1952
and entered into articles with Peter B.
Baptie, DLS, ALS He obtained his commissions as a
Dominion Land Surveyor and as an Alberta Land Surveyor in the
fall of
1957.
Thirty more years of public service in Alberta as a professional
land surveyor were to follow, until his retirement in May
1987.
As a district surveyor, Morley performed hundreds of miles of
road surveys, mainly in the southern half of the province. His
surveys were based on rigorous retracements of early township
surveys. No stone was left unturned in searching for original
monuments, some placed over one hundred years ago. His own
monuments were well placed and supported by accurate
measurements, clearly documented by his unique plan drafting
style. These surveys, field notes and registered plans will
serve the Alberta public and fellow practitioners well into the
future.
Morley's professional career included
a strong commitment to his crew members and articled pupils. His
high personal standards and work ethics, both on and off the
field, were of great help to those who were fortunate to work
for and with him. Articled pupils over the years included
Murray
Ingalls, Dick Bassil,
Henry
Heidebrecht, Jerry Votypka, Keith
Rowe, and Gary Francis.
His service to the community was of the same high standard and
intensity. He played a major role in the athletic and character
development of many young people through his coaching,
particularly in little league baseball, and by refereeing hockey. In younger years, he was an active participant in
amateur boxing; in later years, in golf and skiing.
Following his retirement in
1987,
Morley and Elaine moved to Duncan, BC where Morley pursued an
earlier interest and became an avid sailor. It came as no
surprise to those who knew him to learn that he had "mastered
the seas" in his forty-foot RIKKI TIKKI TAVI and placed well in
many club races, often competing without a full crew and
occasionally, single-handedly.
Morley will be remembered by his family, friends, fellow
workers, and the community for his strong commitment to others,
his sense of humor, and the intensity which he applied to
everything he undertook. He will be dearly missed by those with
whom he worked and played.
