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Read more80 Years of Giving Back:
The Valentine Group’s Legacy
For 80 years, the Valentine family has been part of Calgary’s story. Since 1946, the family business has grown and evolved alongside the city. The Valentine Group of Companies now includes both Valentine Volvo and Volvo Cars Royal Oak.
Much has changed since the early days, the city has grown, the industry has changed, and the vehicles have evolved. But one conviction has endured – success is about more than what a business achieves, it’s also about how it supports its community.
As the Valentine Group celebrates 80 years of operating in Calgary in 2026, its legacy is not measured by the number of decades in business, but by the people they’ve helped, the lives they’ve changed, and the communities they've strengthened along the way.
A legacy shaped by Ted and Shirley Valentine
The roots of the Valentine Group trace back to Ted Halford and Bert Valentine, who opened a Texaco station in Calgary after returning from World War II. Their business soon expanded into automotive sales, with brands like Studebaker, Austin and Rambler.
Eventually, Bert Valentine’s son Ted became the sole proprietor and in 1970 committed exclusively to Volvo, a brand whose emphasis on safety and quality reflected values that would become central to the business. Alongside Ted was his wife, Shirley, who took a break from her nursing career to look after their six children – all the while sharing her husband’s devotion to philanthropy, volunteerism, and community service.
For more than 60 years, Ted and Shirley volunteered their time supporting causes close to their hearts. Their generosity extended well beyond Calgary, taking them to India and Africa to support health, education, and humanitarian initiatives. Together, they demonstrated that giving back wasn’t an obligation, but rather a privilege. Their impact was measured not only by the dollars they gave, but also the thousands of hours they devoted to helping others. Learn more about the Valentine Group's giving here.
Giving back means showing up
That philosophy continues to guide the Valentine Group today. Over the decades, the organization has contributed millions of dollars to local, national and international charitable causes, alongside a commitment to volunteering that has accounted for more than 100,000 hours of service.
While each cause is different the underlying purpose is the same, to enhance accessibility and help to improve the quality of life in what we believe is one of the best cities in the world.
A legacy that continues
While an 80th anniversary invites reflection it's also an opportunity to recognize the people who built the business, the generations who carry it forward, and the community that has been part of its journey. We know success is only possible because of customers who return, employees who contribute, and charitable partners who make a difference.
At the Valentine Group, our legacy is not something preserved in the past, it is something renewed through choices made today and opportunities created for tomorrow. Ted and Shirley left a legacy of generosity, service, and personal involvement. Their example will forever inform how the Valentine Group understands its role in Calgary and beyond.
Eighty years in Calgary is a remarkable milestone. Eighty years of giving back is a legacy worth carrying forward.
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