Cornel Cyril Chetty

With heavy hearts filled with cherished memories, we announce the passing of Cornel Cyril Chetty on March 18, 2025, in Calgary, Alberta. Born on July 17, 1959, in Cape Town, South Africa.

A talented draftsman by trade, Cornel dedicated his career to precision and design before retiring in 2020. But beyond his profession, he was an artist in his own way—capturing life’s moments through his love of photography and videography. He was always ahead of the curve with the latest gadget, and if there was a button to push or a new feature to test, you could bet Cornel was already on it. He loved music, superhero and spy movies, and any excuse to dive into something new and exciting.

Cornel had a passion for traveling, always eager to explore new places, experience different cultures, and, of course, sample the local cuisine. No matter where he went, he carried a sense of wonder with him—along with his camera, ready to document every adventure.

He also had an unshakable rule: if there was water nearby—a river, a lake, an ocean, his feet were going in. It didn’t matter if it was freezing, muddy, or wildly inconvenient; he was convinced that no experience was complete without at least a little splash. This, of course, led to many amused eye-rolls from his family, but they wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Cornel was a devoted husband to Diane, his beloved wife of 34 years. He was a proud father to Tana-Lee and Jade and a doting grandfather to Mia and Kai, who brought him endless joy in Calgary. Though miles apart, his love for his son, Dale, and grandson, Beau, who reside in New Zealand, remained steadfast.

He will be deeply missed by his brother, Christopher, and sister, Celestine, who reside in South Africa, along with his many nieces and nephews there. His warmth, kindness, and quick wit touched everyone who knew him, leaving behind a legacy of love and laughter.

As we say goodbye, we take comfort in knowing that Cornel’s spirit will live on in the memories we shared, the music he loved, the journeys he took, and, of course, every time we find ourselves by the water’s edge, wondering whether we, too, should just go ahead and dip our feet in.

A service to celebrate Cornel’s life will be held at St Peter's Anglican Church in Calgary on April 5, 2025. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Arthritis Society of Canada, Canadian Cancer Society or the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

Rest peacefully, Cornel. May your next adventure have the best gadgets, the greatest music, and an endless shoreline to explore.

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