|
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
REID, Donald Woodward - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Donald Woodward Reid. Dad passed away at the age of 93 years at Cheam Village Care Centre, in Agassiz, B.C., on December 20, 2015. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; his children, Lesley (Kenneth Enns) and Donald (Cathryn); his grandchildren, David (Lindsay Hunter) and Andrew; and his great-grandson, Nicholas. Dad is also survived by his sister, Kay Alsop, and her family of Vancouver, B.C. He will be greatly missed by his "furry son", Mr. Magoo. Dad was predeceased by his first wife, Winona (nee Steuart); by his parents, David and Eva (nee O'Neill) Reid; and by his sister, Elizabeth (Bette) Reid. Dad was born on August 14, 1922, and grew up in Swan River, Manitoba, the second in a family of three children. He and his family moved to Winnipeg when he was a young teenager. After graduation from Gordon Bell High School, Dad enlisted with the Royal Canadian Navy, serving the greater part of his wartime years in the North Atlantic on the corvette, HMCS ARVIDA, protecting convoys carrying supplies to Great Britain from German U-boats. When the war was over, Dad accepted his government's generous offer of free post-secondary education for veterans, and entered law school at the University of Manitoba. Upon graduation and being called to the bar, Dad practised law for several years before going into business. Dad spoke proudly of being called up from the naval reserve to become the naval officer in charge of Fort Garry during the great 1950 flood, performing patrol and rescue duties. He and Winona (Noni) raised their two children, Lesley and Don, in Fort Garry, before moving to River Heights in 1966. In the early 1980's, Dad moved to B.C. where, with Joyce, he lived in West Vancouver, Chilliwack and, finally, Harrison Hot Springs. He continued to work on a casual basis, and, teaching us all how to enjoy each day, with Joyce's care, he maintained excellent quality of life until his early nineties. In addition to his family, he loved the sound of laughter, sailing, playing bridge and watching his little dog run free, his ears flying in the wind. Dad's ninetieth birthday was a highlight; he was toasted by his son, and he danced up a storm with Joyce, his daughter and daughter-in-law. He was grateful to Veterans Affairs Canada for their assistance to him in his later years, although he always maintained that he did what he did for his country and that his country owed him nothing. Thank you to Dr. W. Phimister, the caring staff at Cheam Village, and all the friends who visited and helped to care for Dad, Joyce, and Mr. Magoo in Dad's last few, difficult years. Unfortunately, Dad did not live to see his great-grandson, Nicholas, who was born only nine days prior to his passing, but he knew about Nicholas and was happy for us all. A celebration of Dad's life will be held in early March in Harrison Hot Springs, B.C. If friends so desire, a donation in Dad's memory to a charity of their choice would be most appreciated. Your best gift to him and to us would be to emulate him by living each day with joy and spirit. We love and miss you, Dad, and will always remember you. (The Winnipeg Free Press 06 Feb 2016)
Ships served in: * Listed as a Probationary Sub-Lieutenant, RCNVR (Navy List Jul 1944) HMCS KINGS - Appointed to KINGS 12 May 1944 for Training or Disposal (Navy List Jul 1944) * Appointed Sub-Lieutenant, RCNVR (seniority 22 Sep 1944) (Navy List Nov 1944) HMCS ARVIDA - Appointed to ARVIDA 02 Oct 1944 (Navy List Nov 1944) * Appointed Lieutenant, RCNVR (seniority 15 Feb 1945) * Transferred to the RCN(R) as a Lieutenant, RCN(R) (seniority 15 Feb 1945) (Navy List Oct 1946) HMCS CHIPPAWA - Appointed to CHIPPAWA 14 Jun 1946 (Navy List Oct 1946) * Retired List as a Lieutenant, RCN(R) (seniority 15 Feb 1945) (Navy List Jul 1948) HMCS CHIPPAWA (Retired List) (Navy List Jul 1952) * Last noted on the Retired List at HMCS CHIPPAWA as a Lieutenant, RCN(R) (Navy List Jan 1960)
|
