Charlie Luca

1921 - 2026

 Charles Luca, passed away in Foremost on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at the age of 104 years.

Charlie was born December 4, 1921, on his parents’ farm north of Foremost. His parents Camile and Virginie (née Pollet) Luca were immigrants from Belgium. They also had a daughter Anna Marie in 1924. By the time Charlie was eleven years old, he and Anna lost their father to Tuberculosis. Their mother had a difficult time with the isolation and hard life in Alberta and was taken back to Belgium. As a result, he and Anna were then raised by their Uncle Theophile and Aunt Emma with their cousin Edward. The children attended Neighborview School, a 2.5 km walk.

After grade nine, Charlie worked on the farm and in the off season, worked various jobs in and around Calgary. He worked for a railway contractor, at a sawmill, drove gravel truck for a construction company and got his Chauffeurs license. He farmed with Edward and later on his own. While farming, he got involved in Amateur (Ham) Radio, helped build the Foremost Civic Centre and did line maintenance on the rural phone lines.

After retirement at age fifty six, he toured The Pacific Rim and South America. At age sixty two, he joined Canadian University Service Overseas (CUSO) and his volunteer position was in northwest Botswana. His job was with the Co-op buying grain and helping the population grow crops. He spent ten years working in Africa before coming back to Foremost, where he pursued his passion for golf. He has since spent every September visiting relatives in Belgium and then wintering in El Centro, California where he spent his days golfing.

He was a lifelong learner who taught himself several languages and used the latest technology. He had a keen mind, sharp sense of humor and made friends wherever he went. He will be missed by his many coffee and golfing friends in other countries and at home.

A celebration of Charlie’s life, including an open mike for anyone wishing to share memories, will be held at the Foremost Community Hall, 802 - 1 Avenue West, Foremost on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 2:30 P.M.