Mr. Wayne Arthur Peckham

It is with the deepest sadness that we inform you that Wayne Arthur Peckham (AKA Insane Wayne) passed away on May 17, 2026; nine days before his 85th birthday. Wayne was born and raised in Calgary to Ken (Shorty) and Lila Peckham. Being the oldest of four boys with energy to spare it was tough to keep him and his brother Donny (11 months younger) out of trouble while their father was deployed to WWII. Wayne talked about learning the piano, enjoying math and recess shenanigans. There is a Calgary Herald article (Tuesday, May 20, 2003 front page of the City & Region section) with Wayne and other past students from Stanley Jones School receiving the strap every Friday. The official Record of Corporal Punishment confirmed he held the record for straps at the school, 4 in one day. In his middle school years, he ran with the cool crowd that frequently found trouble. Wayne turned his life around in High School which was karma as most of those friends passed before 30. Wayne met Maureen Graham at Crescent Heights High School. They married a year after high school before their first child Darcy arrived. Wayne was at the University of Alberta (Calgary Campus) working on his B Comm (major Accounting). Their daughter Shawna arrived two and a half years later. Wayne and Maureen lived close to Maureen's mother (Dora) and young sisters (Katie and Laurie). He acted as a big brother teaching Katie and Laurie how to ride their bikes. Wayne would send them down the Edworthy Park entrance hill. No injuries were reported! Money was tight but Wayne was a hunter which subsidized meals to Maureen's distaste. Wayne finished his B Comm degree and was hired at Amoco Petroleum resulting in money in the bank and groceries in the cupboard. Nov 20, 1963, Wayne left for a business trip to Houston. Two days later JFK was assassinated. Maureen received a call from her mother Dora asking, "Where is Wayne?". Then Wayne arrived home with a t-shirt from Dallas. Where was Wayne and what secret did he take to the grave? He did not put up with crap from anyone which still surprises as he had most of his teeth. It might have helped that he was honing his boxing skills while at university. Wayne was fearless when encountering bullies, bears or anyone that acted up around him. He was inviting people outside at the pool hall at 80 years where he would go to his locker and grab the boxing gloves. When seeing the gloves, very few went with him. Wayne taught his daughter and grandchildren to drive, box and knife fight. He would read a newspaper in the passenger seat until you were driving too fast. He would then put his hand on your right knee, pushing down until you were going much faster. He would release your leg when you yelled. Then the conversation would turn to the speed kills lecture. His best advice for boxing and knife fighting was to run and if that was not possible go for the kidneys. Wayne loved motorcycles, a love he passed on to his son, Darcy. Wayne got his first motorcycle at 14. A Harley 125cc. It didn’t run very good though. The day he found this out, the neighboring German Shepard was chasing him down the street biting at his leg. He couldn’t outrun the dog. He didn’t care, he was mobile. This was the first of many bikes he had. He was riding his 80 cubic inch FLH until he was 81. Wayne was a savant. He loved to learn. He took up flying and golfing. He also became very skilled at snooker and was invited to Las Vegas tournaments which he declined; he preferred policing the Legion pool tables. The family was able to enjoy the horses he bought. Darcy and his friends would often join Wayne in the mountains for adventures on horses or dirt bikes. These stories are to be told by Darcy over beers. He was a passionate fan of Ernest Hemingway and one of his favorite Ernest quotes was “ I drink to make other people more interesting“! In true Wayne fashion he requested no funeral service. Donations can be made to Heaven Can Wait, in lieu of flowers, if so desired. Caring for the family is Lyle Reeves Funerals of High River (403.652.4242).

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Mr. Wayne Arthur Peckham

May 26, 1941 - May 17, 2026