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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
OKROS, Richard (Dick) Dezso - Commodore (ret'd) Richard (Dick) Dezso Okros passed away peacefully in Victoria, BC on July 1, 2021, just days after his 94th birthday. He was born June 25, 1927 in Nagykamarįs, Hungary and moved to Canada at age 7. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1947, and while attending Royal Roads Military College in 1951, met Aileen Smyth on a blind date. They were soon married (1952) and moved to their first international posting in England. Dick had a tremendous career with the navy, serving at sea in: HMCS ONTARIO, HMCS SWANSEA, HMCS MAGNIFICENT, HMCS BEACON HILL, HMCS WALLACEBURG, HMCS MICMAC, and HMCS ASSINIBOINE. As his career progressed, he qualified as a Gunnery Officer, commanded HMCS COWICHAN (III), was executive officer HMCS MACKENZIE, and commanded HMCS COLUMBIA (II). He served in Training Command, Winnipeg as Senior Staff Officer Maritime Training 1968, was appointed as a Captain (MARS) and continued in Training Command as Deputy Chief of Staff Leadership and Support Training 1969. He served as Commandant Canadian Forces Fleet School Halifax in 1971, then as Commander Training Group Pacific in 1973. He served on the staff of Maritime Commander (Pacific) as Chief of Staff Readiness 1976. He was appointed as a Commodore (CF) in 1979 and later in the year, Dick's final naval posting was Senior Liaison Officer (Maritime) and Canadian Forces Attaché with Canadian Defence Liaison Staff in Washington, DC. He retired from the navy in 1980, and started a new career at the BC Legislature advising Minister of Education Tony Brummet. When Dick finally retired from working life, he and Aileen spent their free time playing bridge, fishing, socializing with friends, visiting family, and travelling BC. Dick was a talented musician capable of playing almost any string instrument including the violin, bouzouki, banjo, and balalaika but the mandolin was always his first choice. He loved sharing his passion for music and co-founded the Gypsy Rovers, the house band for the Ukrainian Cultural Centre, and played with the group for nearly 30 years, entertaining at Greekfest, Folkfest, Luminara, and countless other community events. In retirement, Dick became an incredible gardener and spent many hours tending to his vegetables and flowers; he was particularly skillful at cultivating beautiful, fragrant roses, as well as delicious tomatoes. Dick was keenly interested in the lives of his extended family, and could always be counted on to discuss current events. Dick was predeceased by his wife of 68 years Aileen on November 7, 2020, and leaves behind his sister Irene McCarthy; children David (Judy Betts), Alan (Colleen d. 2018), Nancy Woodburn (Layne), Carol Biehl (John Nicholson), Sue Sojonky (Ken); 13 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. A joint Memorial Service for Dick and Aileen will be held mid-August. Due to COVID, attendance numbers are limited. (Victoria Times Colonist 17 Jul 2021)
Ships served in: HMCS MAGNIFICENT - Served in MAGNIFICENT as a P2ERA * Commissioned from Ranks HMCS MALAHAT for Royal Roads Military College (UNTD 1949-1951) HMCS BEACON HILL - Served in BEACON HILL in 1950 as a Midshipman, RCN HMCS WALLACEBURG - Served in WALLACEBURG 1951-1952 as a SLt, RCN HMCS MICMAC - Served in MICMAC in 1953 as a SLt HMCS ASSINIBOINE - Served in ASSINIBOINE in 1954-1955 as a Lt, RCN, Squadron Gunnery Officer HMCS COWICHAN - 3rd Commanding Officer - 31 Aug 1961 - Aug 1963 HMCS MACKENZIE - Served in MACKENZIE in 1966 as XO and 3rd Commanding Officer - 17 Jan 1966 - 07 Mar 1966 HMCS COLUMBIA - 6th Commanding Officer - 20 Feb 1967 - 31 Aug 1968 CANADIAN FORCES FLEET SCHOOL HALIFAX - Served in CFFS(H) as COMMANDANT - 1971 COMMANDER TRAINING GROUP PACIFIC - 1973
Article from the CROWSNEST magazine - Mar 1949
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