By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter) with files from The Canadian Press

Alberta’s 11th Premier, Don Getty, Succumbs to Heart Failure at 82

Feb 26, 2016 | 7:05 AM

EDMONTON:   Former premier Don Getty has passed away at the age of 82.

Getty was in an Edmonton long-term care centre after his health began to deteriorate earlier this week, and succumbed to heart failure early Friday morning.

Alberta’s 11th Premier held the post from 1985 until 1992. He succeeding Peter Lougheed and was later replaced as PC leader by Ralph Klein.

Getty is credited with creating Family Day and before entering politics won two Grey Cups as a quarter back with the Edmonton Eskimos, a team he was a member of from 1955 to 1965.

Wildrose Leader, Brian Jean, had praise and offered condolences to the Getty family.

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“Today, Albertans lost a man whose dedication and love for his province shone brightly and will be fondly remembered, whether it was winning two Grey Cups with the Edmonton Eskimos or serving as our 11th premier.

“As Minister for Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs, as well as Minister of Energy during the 1970s, he stood up tall for our province on the national stage and served Alberta as premier with determination during difficult economic challenges.

“He is a figure and a personality that will be sorely missed. On behalf of my colleagues in the Wildrose, we pass on our deepest condolences to his wife Margaret and his four sons.”

Premeir Rachel Notely released a statement:

“It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of former Premier Don Getty.

“His contributions to our province are many, including his work to establish Albertans’ constitutional rights as owners of our province’s natural resources, his role in the creation of the Heritage Savings Trust Fund, the introduction of self-government for Metis settlements, and economic diversification in the sectors of forestry, tourism, technology and non-conventional energy.

“Premier Getty was a dedicated Albertan. He was also a committed Canadian who worked hard to make our federation stronger.”

Flags outside of Lethbridge City Hall have been lowered to half-staff to honour the passing of  Getty.