Wade Hartwell 18 April, 1940 – 25 March, 2022

It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Wade Hartwell after a stoic battle with cancer. He left this world as he lived, with love, laughter and encircled by Sharon’s love. Wade was larger than life, a big personality and an even bigger heart. He was eternally curious and young at heart.

Wade was born in Rimbey, Alberta, eldest son of Hilldon and Clarice Hartwell. Wade will be greatly missed by his beloved, Sharon Madill, and his children Lance, Nattolie, and Troy (Kaylie) Hartwell, granddaughter Brynn, his greatest delight, and his nieces and nephews. Wade is survived by his sisters: LaVone Hartwell, Kory (Les) Herron, Donalie (Ted) Murray, Marnie (Bruce) Ahtye, and Laurel Hartwell; and brothers, Don (Trisha) Hartwell and Rob (Victoria) Hartwell.

He spent 45 years in the garden nursery business and was the founder of Golden Acre Garden Sentres in Calgary. During his years in business, Wade traveled extensively around the world sourcing plant material for the Calgary climate and cultivating friends at every stop. Wade served as a Cattle Baron for the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede for 35 years, supplying the beautiful greenery for the event. He was an active participant and board member of the Alberta and Canadian Nursery Trades Associations and for three decades, Wade co-hosted Let’s Talk Gardening on Calgary’s QR770 Radio.

In association with the City of Calgary Parks, Wade created the BP Birthplace Forest where 50,000 trees were planted. He generously fostered the McInnis & Holloway Memorial forest, which continues to grow. Wade received an honorary degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Olds College and generously provided scholarships to the College. He was a member of the Calgary Private 100 and was a generous supporter and board member of The Calgary Children’s Foundation.

His passion for the last decade was supporting the grade school in Nsongwe Village, Zambia. He built the classrooms and provided equipment for the school’s computer room and home economics classes, and he personally financed a meal for each child every day. He also continued to support many Nsongwe students through university, in addition to contributing to Nsongwe teachers’ salaries. Wade left a legacy of giving to which we can only aspire. Wade’s family would like to extend their great appreciation to the tireless staff in the palliative care unit at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria.

A celebration of Wade’s life was held July 5th, 2022 in Victoria, BC.

There will be celebrations of Wade in Calgary at a later date. In lieu of flowers please plant a tree in Wade’s memory.

Wade Hartwell

18 April, 1940 – 25 March, 2022

Life Member Award Presentation

PRESENTED BY NIGEL BOWLES PRESENTED TO WADE IN 2007 (EDITED FOR PRINT)

The Association does not present this award lightly and in the past 20 years only three other people had been honoured with this award prior to Wade.

Wade received this award because of his lifelong commitment to the ornamental horticultural industry, which began when he first started work in 1965 at what was to eventually become Golden Acre Garden Sentres.

Wade became an active member in the Association shortly after entering into the garden centre business in the mid 1960’s. He was elected to the ANTA Board in the early 70’s and in 1973 and 1974 was the Association’s President.

In 1969 Wade became involved in what was then called the Canadian Nursery Trades Association (CNTA) – it is now the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA).

In 1979 he became the CNTA’s President.

Wade served as the Region 4 Governor of the American Nursery Landscape Association for several years.

There is most likely no committee within the history of the Association that Wade had not served on. Wade was also one of the catalysts for establishing a permanent association office and full-time staff.

For over twenty years, Wade has turned his attention to providing support for horticultural training and education, both at Olds College and through the Certification program, CHT.

He also shared his horticultural advice with thousands of listeners via the radio show on CHQT Let’s Talk Gardening.

But just before we present Wade with the Award, I want to quote what was said about Wade at another presentation a couple of years ago.

When asked, “What is a Philanthropist?” the definition that comes to mind is a humanitarian who unselfishly gives to promote human welfare. At Olds College our definition of a philanthropist is Wade Hartwell. Since 1987 no one has matched Wade’s legacy of giving. He has unconditionally supported this college and been one of our greatest benefactors.

Wades support for education is unquestioned and is therefore deserving of our recognition.

Wade Hartwell 18 April, 1940 – 25 March, 2022

Memoriam Message

I joined LANTA in the late seventies which at the time was Landscape Alberta. I went to my first convention and trade show that year in Banff. I had heard about Wade Hartwell and that he was well known in the industry and a member of Landscape Alberta. I wanted to meet him and introduce myself but did not know him. I asked around and was told - look for a guy in a three-piece suit. The third person I found wearing a threepiece suit was Wade. I introduced myself and I felt like a piece of dust on his threepiece suit. That was my first meeting with Wade. He was quite a personality.

In the years following, I met him more often and we became acquainted in a different way. I visited him in his garden centre quite regularly to try and sell him plant material. What surprised me was that a lot of plants in the yard had American tags. I asked him about this and he explained that he felt their quality was superior to Canadian plants. I am happy to say that changed over the years and I managed to become a sales rep welcome to his business.

What surprised me was that his horticultural knowledge, although substantial, was less than I expected. But his knowledge of places where to find plants and trees, be it BC, Oregon, California or Florida, was phenomenal. He seemed to know everyone.

I enjoyed quite a few friendly chats and learned a lot from him.

His three-piece suit was his uniform .

Rest In Peace Wade. Bill Jansen

Wade Hartwell was a builder and supporter of horticulture training at Olds College. He was clear on his expectations of graduates and ready to hire students at all stages of their careers. He saw the Olds College Botanic Garden as pivotal and necessary for learning as an outdoor classroom. He gave where needed, whether it was time in planning or in plant material for the establishment of all three phases of the OCBG and Constructed Wetlands, he was a ready participant. My favourite memory was early on a Saturday morning of the awards event, the first year of the MacEwan/Hartwell Scholarship in Horticulture. The was laughter in the atrium of the Land Sciences Center, as Wade was wheeling, with great speed, Grant around in his wheelchair to visit the greenhouses before the event began. As always, Wade made time for sharing wonderful moments with special people. He is missed. Annelise Doolaege Horticulture Instructor, Olds College