Former Premier of Alberta and two-time Grey Cup winning quarterback Don Getty passed away on Feb. 26 at the age of 82. Getty was elected leader of the Alberta Progressive Conservatives in 1985, leading the party to an election win in the same year.
Former Premier of Alberta and two-time Grey Cup winning quarterback Don Getty passed away on Feb. 26 at the age of 82.
Getty was elected leader of the Alberta Progressive Conservatives in 1985, leading the party to an election win in the same year. Getty was made the 11th premier of Alberta from 1986-1992, faced an economic downturn as oil prices plunged by 60 per cent. Under Getty ís government, Family Day was created in Alberta as was the M Ètis Settlement Act, which granted self-governance to eight settlements.
ìMy condolences go out to his family and friends, î said Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater MLA Colon Piquette. ìI actually got an opportunity to speak with Mr. Getty several years ago.
ìAfter he retired from politics, he still kept his name in the phone book. I simply gave him a call about a particular issues I was concerned about and we had talk. He was very gracious and a real gentlemen. Alberta is going to be lesser for the loss. î
ìI think it ís a sad day, we íve lost a real service of the province, î said Jeff Johnson, former Progressive Conservative MLA for Athabasca-Redwater. ìHe stepped up and worked real hard when Alberta went through some tougher economic times. I think we should all be grateful for his hard work. î
Getty also played with the Edmonton Eskimos from 1955 to 1965, winning two back-to-back Grey Cup Championships in 1955 and 1956. During his time with the club, in 1959 he was named the most Outstanding Canadian in the Western Canada Football League. He also made the Eskimos Wall of Honour in 1992.
ìThe Edmonton Eskimo Football Club is saddened by the passing of former Alberta premier and quarterback Don Getty, î said the franchise in a press release. ìThe Edmonton Eskimos extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends. î
