May 2007 ISSUE
obituaries
Founder of Alberta Buyer/Seller Forum
Remembered as Tireless Promoter of his Profession
He was a leader in the province, ensuring that
engineering and construction industries here flourished
-Justin Reimer
Investment and Industry Development
 |
Roly Ferris, P.Eng. |
Alberta’s engineering community lost one of its biggest proponents when Charles Raoul (Roly) Ferris, P.Eng., died April 9.
Mr. Ferris graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He spent a quarter of a century with what is now called Alberta Economic Development, Industry Development Branch. His work there was varied, culminating with his last position as director of architecture, engineering and construction.
His job was to maximize Alberta content in those disciplines. To that end, Mr. Ferris founded the Alberta Buyer/Seller Forum, which brings together local suppliers with international purchasers of services.
The forum has now grown to be a national event and encourages global companies to see the value of buying goods and services from Alberta suppliers. It was his passion to see industry grow and prosper both at home, and on a global stage.
“He was a leader in the province, ensuring that engineering and construction industries here flourished,” said Justin Reimer, executive director, Investment and Industry Development Branch, Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry.
“He was extremely passionate about what he did. He was very much a team player and he never took credit for himself but would rather heap praise on others. He always led from behind the scenes.”
Mr. Ferris spent 22 years in private industry before joining government. “One of the main reasons I went into government was to increase the amount of engineering work done in Alberta in major projects,” he once said.
He was a long-time member of APEGGA and a former Nominating Committee member.
Among Mr. Ferris’s survivors are his wife, Helen, five children, two grand-daughters and one great-grand-daughter.