Calgary Legion hosts Canada Day fundraiser to honour longtime president Philip MacAulay

Calgary's Royal Canadian Legion No. 1 will host a fundraiser on Canada Day to honour longtime president Philip MacAulay and support restoration of the historic building on 7th Avenue.

Philip MacAulay, a Royal Canadian Navy veteran who served as Legion president for 20 years, died on June 11 after a brief battle with cancer. His wife, Susan MacAulay, also manages the Legion. "He's always been Legion, his life was Legion, he was dedicated here, his legacy goes on here, and his celebration of life will be here," Susan said.

On Wednesdays and Fridays, Phil would work behind the bar, clean bathrooms, and take out trash — whatever the Legion needed. "No job was too big or too small, and if he was going to do it, or if he asked other people to do it, he was going to do it too with them," Susan said. Staff loved Phil and would help with any task he undertook.

On June 18, Calgary Centre MP Greg McLean delivered a statement at the House of Commons about Phil's passing and service to the community. "I will miss Phil at Remembrance Day ceremonies and Legion events, where he was a constant presence," McLean said.

The Canada Day event will feature local performers Ross Fizzard and Liz Christensen and falls on the centennial anniversary of when the Royal Canadian Legion was established. Originally built in 1922 as a World War I memorial, the Legion is the oldest in Alberta and has been visited twice by Queen Elizabeth.

After years of deferred maintenance, the building needs upgrades including a new roof, HVAC, windows, plumbing, kitchen, and wall repairs. Legion member Nick Twyman estimated the organization will need several million dollars to address issues on the horizon. "With the help of the city, the corporate community, and Canadians who believe in honouring our veterans and the memory of our veterans, we think we can survive for another 100 years."