Wade Gieni passed away peacefully at the Foothills Medical Centre, after a brief illness on November 17, 2025, at the age of 54 years.
Wade was born September 11, 1971 in Calgary, to Ronald (Ron) and Joyce Gieni (nee Rooks) in Calgary. His family moved to Fairmont Hot Springs, B.C., welcomed his sister, Jennifer, in 1974, and stayed there until Ron’s untimely death in June 1978. His family returned to Calgary and his mom married his stepfather, Ken Hutchison, in 1983. They were quickly joined by his three sisters: Sarah, Brittany, and Meghan.

In the 1980s, Wade was involved in Army Cadets for several years playing the snare drum and achieved the rank of Master Warrant Officer. Wade graduated from James Fowler High School in 1989 and entered the Canadian Armed Forces – Regular Forces in 1991. He trained as an Electronics Technician. Upon finishing his time in the regular forces, he joined the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves from 1993 to 1995. In 1992, he began his post-secondary education at Mount Royal University, obtaining his diploma in Environmental Technology. Encouraged by his classmates, he moved to Victoria in 1996 to study at Royal Roads University. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science in 1997.

He began his long career in Environmental Science at Aqua Terre in 1997 as a Field Scientist. He travelled across Canada assisting in environmental site assessments and remediation work. He moved to an engineering firm, RWDI in 2001, and began his passion in Air Quality as a project manager and became known as an Air Quality Specialist. In 2008, Wade made his final job change to Jaques-Whitford/AXYS, which was later purchased by Stantec Consulting Ltd. Over the next 17 years, he attained the title Senior Air Quality Science, Technical Lead, where he would utilize his expertise in dispersion modelling, problem solving, and programming to streamline statistical and mathematical calculations for dispersion modelling. Wade happily used Calculus on a daily basis. Since 2015, Wade actively volunteered for the Canadian Prairie & Northern Section of the Air & Waste Management Association Air (CPANS).
Wade’s other passion included playing hockey. He joined Hockey North America’s beginner program in the fall of 2002. He quickly learned the game and became a formidable defenseman with the Rhinos. He earned the nickname, Truck, with his ability to read the ice and get in the way. He also played with the Titans, the Nadz, and the Blaze. He suffered a career ending concussion in 2011 and stopped playing shortly after.

In addition to hockey, Wade was also passionate about science fiction. Our world has lost the biggest Star Wars fan, who loved all of the films regardless of canon. He was a voracious reader with a large library hiding on his beloved iPad, which included Sci-Fi as well as historical fiction. He was happiest reading, watching his favourite shows, or walking the pathways of Coventry Hills with his dog, the best boy, Rex.

In November 2004, after a late game, Wade met the love of his life, Heather Harrison. They began dating in March of 2005 and quickly moved in together in June the same year. They travelled to Egypt and Italy in 2006 and on June 7, 2006, Wade proposed to Heather on the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. They were married exactly two years later, on June 7, 2008. They bought their first home in 2009 in Coventry Hills. On August 30, 2013, they joyfully welcomed their only daughter Adriana (Addy). Wade was an attentive and deeply devoted father, and the values of kindness and integrity he taught her will be his lasting legacy.

Wade was a part of a huge family. He was the first grandson of Rudy and Mary Gieni as well as Harry and Mary Rooks. Wade was the cousin who everyone followed and looked up to. He is survived by his loving and deeply devoted partner of 20 years, Heather (nee Harrison), beloved daughter, Addy, and their dog (goodest boy), Rex. He is also survived by his mother, Joyce Hutchison (nee Rooks); his sisters: Jennifer Gierent (Gieni), Sarah Hutchison (Jason Wong), Brittany Hutchison, and Meghan Hutchison (Christopher Plessis); and his nieces and nephews: Kaden and Fern Gierent, Tyler and Cameron Plessis, as well as Laura and Simon Wong. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Diane Harrison (nee Jones), his brother-in-law Thomas Harrison (Kathy), and his nieces Avril Harrison (Pauline Au) and Lily Calles (nee Harrison) (Sam). Wade is also survived by his uncles: Peter Gieni, Brian Gieni (Rita), Michael Gieni (Roz), Leonard Gieni, and Barrie Rooks (Sandy), as well as his aunts: Patricia Ollinger (nee Gieni), Leona Dwyer (nee Gieni) (Albert), Noreen Peters (nee Gieni), and Brenda Gieni. Wade is also survived by many amazing cousins. He was predeceased by his stepfather, Ken Hutchison, his father-in-law, Thomas Harrison, his Uncle Ross Gieni (Susan), and Aunt Jill Gieni.

Wade was a humble man. He would never boast about how smart he really was. When asked if he was an expert in his field, he would always defer to the icons of the Air Quality industry who were his mentors. Wade was always available to his family and coworkers to help when called upon. Whether it was helping his mom with basic tech support or untangling a challenge at his long-time job at Stantec, he was always willing and eager to fix whatever was causing issues. This included fielding calls about comparatively basic Excel problems from Heather. His technological talents will be sorely missed by all who relied on him.

Our family would like to thank Wade’s family physician, Dr. William Emery, for his dedicated care for over 40 years, which included a successful cancer battle four years ago. We would also like to thank his hematologists, Dr. Wong and Dr. Shrom at the Peter Lougheed Centre. Dr. Andreas Kramer and the Critical Care team at the Neurological ICU at Foothills Medical Centre. And finally, the organ donation team (GiveLife Alberta) at Foothills Medical Centre. A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, November 29th from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at Country Hills Crematorium at 11995 16 Street N.E., Calgary, AB. To RSVP for catering purposes, please visit this website: https://evite.me/j8sTwYwaJu.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in memory of Wade to Canadian Blood Services or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or giving blood to Canadian Blood Services, or becoming a registered organ donor.