Blair Vold honoured in the House of Commons

OTTAWA -- Long-time community builder Blair Vold has been honoured in the House of Commons.

Vold passed away on May 11, 2025 at the age of sixty-nine, and is remembered as a valued member of the Ponoka community who served the region in a variety of roles over the course of several decades. Following in his father's footsteps, Vold entered the cattle industry as a teenager and later co-founded the Canadian Satellite Livestock Auction.

Rising in the House of Commons earlier this week, Ponoka-Didsbury MP Blaine Calkins paid tribute to Vold's legacy.

"Blair embodied what it means to be an Albertan -- hard-working, resilient, and dedicated to his community," said Calkins. "Best known for his life in cattle sales and service on local boards, including being president of the Ponoka Stampede."

In 1980, Vold joined the Ponoka Stampede Board of Directors and served as President for three terms. In addition, he also served on the Livestock Markets Association of Canada board of directors for over ten years, and in 2017 was inducted into the LMAC Hall of Fame. Calkins made note of his many accomplishments and noted that he garnered a vast amount of admiration from the community.

"Blair I will miss our conversations, your welcoming and hospitable character, your charitable spirit, and the fun-loving, mischievous glint in your eye," said Calkins. "Rest easy cowboy."

Vold is survived by his wife Sheryl; son Nansen and wife Jennifer (Jayden, Cheyanna); daughters Labrie and husband Allen Kruger (Taylor, Reid), and Gjenna and husband Dave Saretsky (Jack, Emma); his step-daughter Sarah (Lyric, Bella and Arrianna); his mother Dolores; brother Ryan (Ellie); sisters Cathy Wiancko (Joe), Lori, and Vicky Robinson (Duane); his numerous cousins, nieces, nephews; and his beloved dog Odie.

A celebration of life for Blair Vold was held at the Ponoka Stampede Grounds Grandstand on June 3.