Obituary announcement for old comrade General Ramsey Muir Withers, CMM, CD

General Withers, who passed away in his sleep on Dec 24^th, was the oldest living past Chief of the Defence Staff.

Born in Scarborough, Ontario to Scottish immigrant parents, Withers spent 35 years in uniform, serving in the Korean War and in command and staff positions throughout Canada and overseas. He became Vice Chief of the Defence Staff in 1977 and then Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in 1980 before retiring in 1983.

From his retirement as CDS in 1983 until 1988, Withers served as Deputy Minister of Transport, during which time he was awarded the Commissioner's Award of the Northwest Territories and the Outstanding Achievement Award of the Public Service of Canada.

Withers was a professional engineer and a Fellow of Georgian College, holding earned degrees from the Royal Military College of Canada (student # 2951) and Queen's University. He was a graduate of the Canadian Army Staff College and Britain's Joint Services Staff College.

After retirement, Withers became president of a government relations firm, director of an aerospace technology company, a consultant to the Office of the Auditor General and Chairman of the Industry Government Relations Group.

He also continued to be active in volunteer work. In addition to chairing a committee that reviewed the undergraduate program at the Royal Military College of Canada (culminating in the Withers Report), Ramsey was the honorary director of the Canadian War Museum. He was a former Trustee of the Canadian Museum of Civilization and Chairman of the Canadian War Museum Committee, former Director of the Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies, and an Honorary Vice-President of the Boy Scouts of Canada.

General Withers was married, and he and his wife Allison (née Saunders) had three children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

He was awarded the Commissioner's Award of the Northwest Territories and the Outstanding Achievement Award of the Public Service of Canada. He is the winner of the Queen’s University Alumni Achievement Award. He was an honorary graduate of the National Defence College and the NATO Defense College and held two honorary doctorates.

DEFOILENTS AGENT ORANGE GAGETOWN 1956 ON

Basil McAllister just won his case against the Federal Government re his exposure to Defoliants and Agent Orange in Gagetown in 1956.

If you served in Gagetown since 1956, I was there for the first Divisional exercise since WW11. Many army types in 56 served on this exercise, West vs East.

Suggest you phone VAC 1 866 522 2122 and request an application form. Your claim starts the day you phone. Then visit your Dr. to find out if any if the diseases you have may have been from exposure to Defoliants or Agent Orange. If so, if you want I will assist you with that claim when I get back to BC in Mid-January. You do not have to be a member of CPVA for this assistance .Our organization has subject experts available. Well worth the effort. At present if you have a successful claim you will receive a onetime payment of $20k. This may also open the door for further benefits.

This may also allow for a claim for your wife and dependants.

Regards,

Dave Munro CPVA Service Officer BC 

250 246 6406

250 510 5332   davemunro1954@gmail.com

Obituary announcement for club member McDonald TJ LM243

McDonald, Thomas Joseph (Tom, Mac)
Age 84, of Truro, Nova Scotia, passed away quietly at home, surrounded by his family, on December 10, 2014 after a long battle with cancer. Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on August 17, 1930, he was the son of the late Cecilia and Gordon McDonald. Tom was a former Sergeant in the Canadian Armed Forces (Signals Corps), worked with the Truro hospital after retirement, worked with Saint John Ambulance, Search and Rescue, was inducted into the Knights of Columbus, and was a proud and active member, including two Presidential terms, with the Royal Canadian Legion. Tom loved to remain active in the community, tinker with electronics and his HAM radio, play darts, and was an amateur photography buff. Tom loved spending time with his wife, Rose, of 65 years, as well as his son and grandchildren. Tom is predeceased by his parents, sister Faith and brothers Jim, Ritchie and Gordie. He is survived by his loving wife Rose, brother Ted (Christine) McDonald, sisters Donna McDonald and Janet (McDonald) Bowser, son Gordon (Leah) Brookfield, NS, grandchildren, Whitney (Chris), Cornwall, PEI, Jeremy (Karine) Halifax, NS. A special thank you to the VON nurses. Cremation has taken place, and at Tom's request there will be no tribute service. Burial to take place at Bible Hill cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to Children's Wish Foundation or the Truro Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 26) in Tom's name are welcomed and on-line condolences can be made at www.colchestercommunity.com

Obituary announcement for club member Joe LeBlanc LM779 (CWO Ret'd)

LeBlanc,
Joseph Eloi Aime “Joe”
(Dedicated Serviceman to the Canadian Armed Forces for 39 years, Long-time Supporter of Veterans Affairs and the Royal Canadian Legion)

Passed away peacefully on December 1, 2014 at the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital.
Joe
Of Almonte, at the age of 75.
Husband and best friend for 50 years to Lorraine. Will be missed by Paul (Kathy), and Lana (Johnny Spinks). Proud “Poppa” of Christopher, MacKenzie, Evan, Connor, and Jessica. Loved by family and friends. Family and friends are invited to attend a Graveside Committal Service on Friday, December 5, 2014 at 11am in the St. Mary’s Cemetery. (Almonte, ON.) Reception to follow at the Almonte Legion. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Joe’s memory to the Almonte Legion-Branch 240.

Funeral Arrangements Entrusted Into The Care of
C.R. Gamble Funeral Home & Chapel Inc.
(127 Church St., Almonte, ON., K0A 1A0)
Condolences and Tributes: www.crgamble.com