Mr. Louis Passfield

It is with the heaviest, broken hearts that we announce that on the evening of November 10th, 2022, Louis died in Calgary, Alberta aged 55. Louis was born in London in 1966. He received his bachelor’s degree in Sports Science in 1990 and went on to receive a PhD in 1998, both from the University of Brighton. Louis loved cycling, running and hiking and made connections with many people through these passions of his. He was one of the lucky ones in the sense that he truly loved his job and those he worked with. He worked at the Universities of West Sussex, Aberdeen, Glamorgan, Kent and Calgary. He was a physiologist for British Cycling from 2005-2008. Louis remained friends with people from all of these roles for many years. Louis’ prevalence in academia speaks for itself, he had over 30 years of experience as a sport scientist in elite sport. He also published over 80 papers on his research in training, testing, cycling and data analytics. A recent comment made about Louis read “knowledge is power and this man was powerful, a true legend” which echoes the introductions British Cycling used to use before his talks saying “The Knowledge is coming”. Louis’ passion for sharing his knowledge was what set him apart from his peers, he was fortunate to be able to make his expert knowledge accessible to many in a way that was a joy to listen to. While Louis was well known, well respected and well loved in this world, he was best known for his capacity for love, his humanity, the joy and light he brought into every room and his immense ability to care for so many so deeply. He truly had the most kind, generous and genuine soul which translated into his personal and academic lives so clearly. The extent of Louis’ network is a testament to the impact he had on so many. While Louis loved his work and those he worked with, his true love was his family. He and Sarah raised three beautiful young women -- Anna, Elinor and Madeleine -- whom he was immensely proud of and they, equally proud to be his daughters. In recent years, Louis made Calgary his new home to be with Lori, whom he married this September, twenty-eight years after first meeting at the 1994 Commonwealth Games. Louis quickly became a very well-loved member of Lori’s family who made him feel like one of their own. Louis was predeceased by his mother Reneè in 2002. Louis is survived by his partner Lori and their dog Cariad, three daughters Anna, Elinor and Madeleine, brothers George (Amber and their daughter Ada), Henry (Lou) and Jonathon, step-father David Passfield (Lynne), father Danoo Banerjee (Elizabeth Kiss), along with aunties, uncles and cousins in the UK and India. Louis was known for his infectious laugh; you couldn’t help but join in when he was laughing. He often was making himself laugh with his favourite Dad jokes, or by embarrassing his daughters which he found endlessly entertaining. Many of us will have the fondest memories of Louis and they will all include his smile and his laugh. A close friend of Louis’ said “I will miss him with a smile on my face” which perfectly encapsulates the happiest memories of him alongside the devastation of missing him. Recently, Ellie went to send Louis a message from his friend Dr. Mark Burnley, which she told Mark and he replied “He’d probably say ‘you still can but just don’t expect a reply’ and then laugh his head off”, which you can all imagine would be very typical of Louis. A Celebration of Louis' Life will take place at the Last Defence Lounge on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 1:00PM. You are invited to please wear something blue, or something that reminds you of Louis. Our hearts are heavy and completely broken after the sudden passing of our dad last week. Our dad was so easy to love, everyone who met him laughed with him and the world has truly lost one of the kindest hearts. We love him very very much and we are so proud to be his daughters. It was a huge shock and has been completely devastating. We are very grateful for all the messages of love, support and condolence we have been receiving. He was and still is a very special man who is so loved. Memorial Donations may be made to the Orange Shirt Society (Every Child Matters) www.orangeshirtday.org (PO Box 4240, Williams Lake BC V2G); Shelter UK www.shelter.org.uk (88 Old St. London EC1V 9HU, UK); or the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR - www.unhcr.ca (280 Albert Street, Suite 401, Ottawa ON K1P 5G8). Caring for the family is Lyle Reeves Funerals of High River (Craig Snodgrass) 403.652.4242.

Tributes

Mr. Louis Passfield

December 8, 1966 - November 10, 2022