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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
DUBEAU, Edward Roland - It is with great sadness that the family announce the passing of Edward Dubeau, husband, brother, uncle, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Ed passed away peacefully at Surrey Memorial Hospital, British Columbia surrounded by family members. At the young age of 17, Ed enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy, serving on the HMCS LEASIDE. He was very proud of his service during the Second World War. In his younger years, Ed followed in his father's footsteps, working for the C.N.R. Two of his sons have since followed this tradition. Ed established a career with the Unemployment Insurance Commission in Thunder Bay, ON, retiring in 1986 from the office in Winnipeg, MB. It was at this time Ed and his wife Pat decided to move British Columbia to enjoy milder weather. Together Ed and Pat enjoyed many years of sunny weather in Courtenay, BC and were members of Christ the King Parish. He had a passion for gardening (renowned for his tomatoes and geraniums) and winemaking, a hobby which both Pat and Ed enjoyed. Ed looked forward to his daily round of golf with his buddies, Len and Glen, and to feed corn to the ducks at Mulligans Golf Centre in Courtenay. Ed and Pat were in the process of moving back to Winnipeg when he took ill and was hospitalized. Ed leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Patricia (O'Rourke), sister Fran (Ollie) Slater (Sarnia), and brother-in-law Dick (Eveline) O'Rourke (Nanaimo). He was a proud father to five sons: Dave (Debbie) of Thunder Bay, Doug (Debbie) of Winnipeg, Tim (Debbie) of Delta, (It's not a typo, there are three wives named Debbie!), Rick of Winnipeg and Warren of Calgary. Ed is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Jason (Sarah), Patricia, Glen, Keith (Caryn), Adam, Greg, Kaitlyn, Bobby, Chelsea, Dustin, and great-granddaughter Sydney. Special thanks and appreciation to the Surrey Memorial Hospital ACE Unit for their kindness and support to our family during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, should friends desire, donations to the Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation would be appreciated. A memorial service will be held in Winnipeg at a later date.
Biography of Edward Roland Dubeau, RCNVR (Submitted by Tom Slater)
Edward Roland Dubeau was born on April 5, 1926 in Espanola, Ontario, the son of Joseph Edward Dubeau and Catherine Elizabeth "Kay" Dorion. Edward grew up in Sault Ste. Marie and Fort William.
After completing his grade twelve year at high school, Edward was very eager to join the Navy. A number of his close friends had joined, so he was anxious to follow them. Most of his friends joined the navy since there was a navy base in Port Arthur, HMCS Griffon. The problem for Edward was that he was only two months past his 17th birthday and his mother wouldn't grant her permission until he was 17 ½. So, he started his grade 13 year and after two months, in October 1943, having turned 17 ½, Edward Dubeau joined the RCNVR in Port Arthur. Edward would attain the rank of Able Seaman and would serve aboard a Castle-class corvette HMCS LeasideK492.
Edward served aboard the Leaside for the duration of the war in the Battle of the Atlantic. He was in Ireland when the war in Europe ended in May 1945. After VE Day, Edward volunteered to serve in the Pacific Theatre and, for all those who had done so, was granted 90 days leave. The ship he was on returned to Canada via the Panama Canal and docked in Victoria. In mid-August 1945, Edward was still on leave in Victoria waiting to serve in the Pacific when Japan surrendered to end World War II. Edward Dubeau received his Honourable discharge and his medals and decorations included the Atlantic Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp, and War Medal 1939-45.
Following the war, he began work for Great Lakes Paper at the Valora bush camp in Northern Ontario. It was during this time that he met a young nursing student on a blind date, Patricia O'Rourke. They would marry in October 1953. The young couple would later move to Fort William where Edward tried his hand at a number of jobs. In 1961, he started working for the Unemployment Insurance Commission (UIC) in Fort William and moved on a promotion to Winnipeg in 1971.Edward and Pat had five children together, all boys - David, Doug, Tim, Rick and Warren.
Edward retired in 1986, and with Pat, spent their retirement years in Winnipeg, and then Sardis and Courtenay in British Columbia. In retirement, Edward had a passion for gardening and winemaking and enjoyed his daily round of golf with his buddies. Edward Roland Dubeau, age 81, passed away on August 18, 2007 at Surrey Memorial Hospital, British Columbia.
Like so many of the veterans who served, Edward never talked about his wartime experiences. Many years after the war, his son Doug asked Edward what he remembered most about the war. He hesitated for a few seconds and then said, "the screams in the darkness." On further questioning, Edward elaborated a bit more. He said that when they hit a U-boat (with depth charges) or if one of the ships in the convoy was hit and sinking, the crews ended up in the water. The horrifying screams from the men in the water, friend or foe, were gruesome. There was no picking up survivors-they were left behind. The convoy never stopped or slowed. The corvette he was on moved to protect the convoy at all cost. He never said anything more.
Ships served in:
(ED01) Portrait of Seaman Edward Dubeau (ED02) Edward Dubeau with his parents and sister
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