Obituary announcement for Signallers Club member
Deceased at Burnaby, BC 01 May 2013
WOODWARD, Bert Henry
March 22, 1923 – May 1, 2013
We have lost and mourn another of our WWII Veterans. Bert died peacefully at George Derby Centre, Burnaby, with his devoted wife by his side. Born in Scarborough, Ontario to British immigrant parents, Bert Woodward Sr. & Phoebe Haywood. Bert is survived by his loving wife Mary of 63 years; children: Keith (Susan), Gloria (Allan), Paula; granddaughters: Alana & Tamara Ellard & Carleigh & Tasha Woodward, their mother, Geri Woodward, sister, Elaine Waid (Jim), brother-in-law, Norman Johnston. Bert proudly served his country in WWII, joining the Merchant Navy at age 19. On October 22, 1942, Bert was on Merchant Troop Ship "Winnipeg II" when ship was torpedoed & sunk in the North Atlantic. After surviving this tragedy he joined the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, 13th Infantry Brigade, 6th Division Signals, serving in Canada, England & Holland. Discharged from Army, he began his accounting career at Canada Packers Ltd, Vancouver, where he met his wife, Mary in 1950. They were married in Mary's home town, Edmonton in 1951; an office romance that continued for 63 years. They built their home in Burnaby where they raised their family and lived there the past 52 years. Bert was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion #83, Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans Ass'n, Signallers Club of Canada, Pacific Signallers & Deer Lake United Church. Bert & Mary were long-time members of Pitt Meadows Golf Club. They enjoyed their winter golfing holidays in Palm Desert, where Bert was proud to have shot a hole-in-one. They also enjoyed traveling to many parts of the world, especially on cruises. Bert will be fondly remembered for his warm smile, quick wit & sense of humor, a true gentleman, caring husband & generous, loving father & grandfather, especially enjoying numerous family gatherings of our extended family. Funeral Service will be held at Columbia- Bowell Funeral Chapel on May 9, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. Reception to follow. Interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery following reception. Flowers gratefully declined, friends so wishing may make a memorial donation to Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School Bursary Fund – so that children with dyslexia & learning disabilities, regardless of financial need, may receive an education in a setting where they can learn & prosper. Please make cheques payable to: Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School Bursary Fund & send to: 420 Seymour River Place, North Vancouver, B.C. V7H-1S8.
From the Vancouver Sun