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A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
de STE. CROIX, Dennis John - 83, Dartmouth, passed away quietly with his family by his side on Saturday, October 21, 2006, in the 9th Floor Geriatrics Ward, Abbie J. Lane Memorial Building, QEII. Born in Portsmouth, UK (England), on September 5, 1923, he was a son of Arthur John de Ste. Croix, Portsmouth, Lt. Cmdr. Royal Navy (Ret'd) who fought on HMS Tiger in the Battle of Jutland, and Susan Mary Grimmond of London. He was the third of five children born in Portsmouth, UK. He was an avid player of soccer (football), cricket, and track and field. He won many trophies for all sports in which he was involved. He joined the Royal Navy as a boy sailor at the age of 15 with a boilermaker apprentice. He served in the Second World War on HMS Enterprise (Battle of Atlantic) and saw action at Normandy (D-Day), Bay of Biscay (sank three German destroyers, damaged four), and Cherbourg (silenced German guns ashore). He transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy in 1954 as CPO1 ERA and was among the first Canadians to go to England for Submarine Service. He served on submarines HMS Alliance and Trespasser. He later served on HMCS Gatineau as Assistant Engineer 1960-61, HMCS Lanark as Engineering Officer 1961-64, and on HMCS Bonaventure as Propulsion Officer 1967-69. He served as Base Supply's Last Technical Officer before retirement in 1974. Upon retirement, he briefly served with public works and Queens Harbour Master. He was then employed at SRU (A) Ship Repair Unit Atlantic, Submarine Planning, until 1944 (now FMFCS). He was a member of the Nova Scotia Naval Officers' Association, and was inducted into the Department of National Defence Longevity Hall of Fame for 54 years of service. He was well-known for his quiet demeanor and "dry" sense of humour. He deeply loved his wife of 60 years, Ena, and was the best grandfather and great-grandfather one could have hoped for. He enjoyed the simple things in life, going to the library, doing crosswords and feeding the birds on his front lawn. He did it his way and had a wonderful life of which his Mum and Dad would have been proud. He will be deeply missed. We want to express our thanks and gratitude to the nurses and doctors of the 9th Floor, Abbie J. Lane Building, QEII, for all the care that they gave to Granddad. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ena (Goodey), who was a Petty Officer in the WRENS and served in Egypt, Second World War; son, John Anthony de Ste. Croix (Virginia), Oromocto, N.B.; sister, Phyllis Cheeseman, Portsmouth, UK; brother, Brian (Joan) de Ste. Croix, Portsmouth, UK; grandchildren, LS Jonathan (Michele) de Ste. Croix (Navy), Dartmouth; Pte. Julie de Ste. Croix (Air Force), Ottawa, Ont.; great-grandchildren, Gabrielle de Ste. Croix and Aiden de Ste. Croix, Dartmouth. He was predeceased by brother, Ronald de Ste. Croix, Lt. Cmdr., RN (Ret'd) (Portsmouth, UK); sister, Kathleen Wilson (Portsmouth, UK). Visitation 2-4, 7-9 p.m. today, funeral service 2 p.m. Thursday, October 26, both in A.L. Mattatall Funeral Home, 217 Portland St., Dartmouth, Rev. Capt. Bruce Murray officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bide Awhile Animal Shelter and Canadian Wildlife Federation.
Ships served in: HMS ENTERPRISE HMS/m ALLIANCE HMS/m TRESPASSER HMCS GATINEAU - Served in Gatineau 1960-1961 as Assistant Engineer HMCS LANARK - Served in Lanark 1961-1963 as Engineering Officer HMCS BONAVENTURE - served in Bonaventure 1967-1969 as Propulsion Officer
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For Posterity's Sake 
