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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
EVERETT, Alfred William (Bill) - Peacefully and with quiet dignity, Bill passed away on November 8, 2016. Bill was predeceased by his wife Mary (nee Milner); his son Jamie; his parents Horace and Catherine Everett and his sister Kay Pennock. He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Bill (Suzanne), David (Holly), Margot (Ralph) and Peter (Georgina); and his grandchildren, Katie (Geordie), Sarah, James (Alexis), Darcy (Robert), Liam (Jessie), James (Amy), Douglas (Rebekah), Geoffrey (Neisha), Mollie, Elisabeth and Mac and his great- grandchildren Nicola, Andrew, Britton, Poppy, Maya and Teagan. Bill was born in Duncan and raised in Comox and Vancouver. He attended Maple Grove and Point Grey High School before attending University School on Vancouver Island. In 1939 he was accepted into Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario. In 1941, he joined the Canadian Navy and was assigned to the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, England where he graduated as a Midshipman. Bill joined the war effort aboard the British Battleship HMS King George V and was later transferred to the Aircraft Carrier HMS Victorious. In 1943, he was assigned to serve on the HMCS Saskatchewan escorting convoys to Murmansk and later served on the HMCS Kootenay. By the time he left the Navy, Bill had achieved the rank of Lieutenant and had been mentioned in Dispatches for distinguished service. Following the war, Bill met Mary in Halifax, was married in Calgary and began working for the family business in Winnipeg, where he settled and raised his family. Family was Bill's first priority and he was always there to offer his love, encouragement and support. He was very involved in the Winnipeg business and sporting community as a director of the Blue Bombers and part owner of the Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball team. He also served as the Aide-de-camp to the Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba. When the family business expanded to Vancouver, Bill took the opportunity to return to the city he had grown up in and considered home. He again became very involved in the Vancouver business, arts and sporting community, serving as a director of the Bank of B.C., the Vancouver Art Gallery and the B.C. Lions. Bill lived an energetic and interesting life. His years in the Navy inspired his interest in Canadian Maritime art which he spent much of his life researching, collecting and ultimately donating most of his collection to the Vancouver Maritime Museum and Victoria Art Gallery. He was extremely proud of his family and it was very important to him to write a book (which he did after he turned 90) about the family's history to pass on to future generations. His book is a tremendous accomplishment and treasured by the family. He enjoyed a very active social life, loved travelling, playing golf and being with his many friends. He liked simple pleasures like getting in the car and exploring the city and finding good places to buy fresh produce. Bill was a true gentleman and widely respected. The family extends their heartfelt thanks for the love, care and support provided by Mimi Vaugier and Dorothy Tam. We also wish to thank Dr. Brad Fritz for his kindness and professionalism in the care he provided, which gave Bill such comfort and confidence. Finally, we express our sincere appreciation for the care and kindness provided by all the staff at Arbutus Manor and more recently, the veteran's senior facility at St. Vincent's Brock Fahrni Pavilion. An Eight Bells Memorial Service will be held Sunday, November 27, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, Jericho Station, followed by a Celebration of Life in the Clubhouse at 4:00 p.m. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to St. Vincent's Brock Fahrni. (The Winnipeg Free Press 19 Nov 2016)
Citation for Mentioned in Despatches:
EVERRET, Alfred William, Lieutenant, Mention in Despatches, O-22680, RCN, HMCS Saskatchewan - Awarded as per Canada Gazette of 20 January 1945 and London Gazette of 3 October 1944.
"For outstanding leadership, skill and devotion to duty in H.M. Canadian Ships Qu'Appelle, Skeena, Saskatchewan and Restigouche in a successful action with enemy trawlers and U-boats."
Ships served in: HMS VICTORIOUS HMCS SASKATCHEWAN - Appointed to Saskatchewan 07 Nov 1943 as SLt, RCN HMCS KOOTENAY - Appointed to Kootenay 04 Dec 1944 as Lt, RCN
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