Remembering Allan Borbridge

Allan Borbridge was a true Alberta farm boy, raised on a mixed farm near Crossfield where hard work, good times and family were at the heart of everyday life. He didn’t stray from those values. 

As the eldest son of a large farm family, Borbridge took on responsibility early. At 16, while still attending high school, Allan drove the local school bus. He worked in the oil fields for a time, then at his uncle’s service station and for Burns and Dutton operating heavy machinery.

Borbridge went on to build a life rooted in service and family. He began a 33-year career with the Calgary Fire Department (CFD), married Norma Borbridge (née Sackett), and by 25 was raising a young family while still helping out on the farm whenever he could. “Dad took all his responsibilities seriously,” says Gloria Kushel, Borbridge’s eldest.

Over the next three decades, he rose through the CFD’s ranks while raising two daughters, Gloria and Bonnie. At the same time, he owned and ran an exterior finishing company with his cousin.

Although his career was based in the city, Borbridge never lost his connection to rural life. Following his retirement as a captain, he spent countless hours working on the farm of close family friends—a role he cherished. 

He also made time for fun. Borbridge loved the outdoors and was especially passionate about all sports, particularly hockey. An accomplished horseman, he drove pony chuckwagons and even tried steer riding in his younger years.

“Dad was a very physical person,” says Kushel. “He loved to experience things and didn’t like to sit around.”

That active lifestyle began to shift in 2017, when Borbridge developed kidney problems. Testing revealed a rare form of amyloidosis, which was later found to affect his heart.

He became one of the first patients in the Amyloidosis Program of Calgary (APC), under the care of cardiologist and researcher Dr. Nowell Fine, MD, and his multidisciplinary team.

Cardiac amyloidosis is a serious condition in which abnormal proteins build up in the heart, making it harder to pump effectively and leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath and irregular heart rhythms.

Following his diagnosis, Borbridge enrolled in a clinical trial led by Fine for a new medication designed to slow disease progression. The treatment was successful, effectively stabilizing his condition.

According to Norma, the APC team went above and beyond.

“Allan received such wonderful care,” she says. “The team, including nurse Deb Bossley, RN, and Dr. Fine, are almost like family.”

Kushel agrees.

“It was just wonderful to know that he was getting the help he did from people who cared,” she says.

In February 2024, at age 85, Borbridge was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He passed away just seven days later, on Feb. 13, surrounded by family and friends.

The care he received from the APC team left a lasting impression.

In his memory, the Gloria and Richard Kushel Foundation donated $500,000 to support the program.

“We are incredibly privileged to be able to help with this research, and I know that Dad would be happy that we were able to do that,” says Kushel. “We want to find ways to prevent and cure cardiac amyloidosis.”

Fine says the impact of the gift will be significant.

“We are grateful for this donation, which is critical to our program,” he says. “Rare diseases like cardiac amyloidosis are often underfunded and under-recognized, and this support will go a long way to advancing research and expanding APC’s impact.”