Obituaries 2020
Warrant Officer Class II George Chow
Nov 5, 1921 – Nov 6, 2020
George Chow was born in Victoria, British Columbia in 1921. In August 1940, two months before his 19th birthday, George went to the recruiting centre at the Bay Street Armoury in Victoria to sign up without his parents’ knowledge. George was then sent to the Seaforth Armoury in Vancouver, BC, for basic training. After basic training he was transferred to 16th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery in Windsor, ON, for advanced training. 16th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery headed off to Halifax where they were to finally board a ship for Scotland. No sooner had the 2000 troops been loaded, an outbreak of measles forced everyone off and the men were placed in quarantine. The Halifax winter would be endured at Camp Debert. It wasn't until April 1941 when George boarded the Polish liner, "Batory" and finally left camp life, and Canada behind. On board, George's troop did gun watch and at the end of the 10 day journey, settled at their assigned base in Colchester England. From the nearby coast, George's detachment would have the honour of being the first all-Canadian gun crew to shoot down a German plane.
During the Normandy Campaign, the 16th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA was part of 2nd Army Group Royal Artillery (AGRA). They were lucky when they came off the Landing Craft Tank (LCT) as the water was only 9” deep during their landing and they continued to move inland to Caen and other regions of France before heading into Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. After the victory in Europe, George volunteered to prepare for the Pacific theatre, but his new assignment ended soon after the atomic bomb had been dropped in Japan.
After the Second World War, George joined the 43rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA at Bessborough Armoury in Vancouver, BC, in 1953, as a Gunnery instructor. He attained the rank of Warrant Officer 2nd Class (today equivalent to MWO) and was appointed Battery Sergeant Major (BSM) of 210 Battery in 1958. In 1958 43rd MAA was absorbed into 15 Field and George continued as BSM. He was honourably discharged in 1963.
George was awarded numerous war medals and the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD). In 2012, George was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. In October 2014, George was awarded the rank of Chevalier (Knight) of the Légion d'Honneur by the French Government and was subsequently presented the Medal by Consul General Jean-Christophe Fleury of the Consulate General of France in Vancouver, British Columbia in April 2015.
In 2014, George attended the 70th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy at the Juno Beach Centre. On this occasion, he also visited the grounds of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. George has participated in the Vimy Day Commemoration in Vancouver, British Columbia for many years. In addition, he attended the ‘From Vimy to Juno Reception and Ceremony’ and exhibition organized by the Juno Beach Centre and held at the Seaforth Armoury in Vancouver, British Columbia in December 2016.
Nov 5, 1921 – Nov 6, 2020
George Chow was born in Victoria, British Columbia in 1921. In August 1940, two months before his 19th birthday, George went to the recruiting centre at the Bay Street Armoury in Victoria to sign up without his parents’ knowledge. George was then sent to the Seaforth Armoury in Vancouver, BC, for basic training. After basic training he was transferred to 16th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery in Windsor, ON, for advanced training. 16th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery headed off to Halifax where they were to finally board a ship for Scotland. No sooner had the 2000 troops been loaded, an outbreak of measles forced everyone off and the men were placed in quarantine. The Halifax winter would be endured at Camp Debert. It wasn't until April 1941 when George boarded the Polish liner, "Batory" and finally left camp life, and Canada behind. On board, George's troop did gun watch and at the end of the 10 day journey, settled at their assigned base in Colchester England. From the nearby coast, George's detachment would have the honour of being the first all-Canadian gun crew to shoot down a German plane.
During the Normandy Campaign, the 16th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA was part of 2nd Army Group Royal Artillery (AGRA). They were lucky when they came off the Landing Craft Tank (LCT) as the water was only 9” deep during their landing and they continued to move inland to Caen and other regions of France before heading into Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. After the victory in Europe, George volunteered to prepare for the Pacific theatre, but his new assignment ended soon after the atomic bomb had been dropped in Japan.
After the Second World War, George joined the 43rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA at Bessborough Armoury in Vancouver, BC, in 1953, as a Gunnery instructor. He attained the rank of Warrant Officer 2nd Class (today equivalent to MWO) and was appointed Battery Sergeant Major (BSM) of 210 Battery in 1958. In 1958 43rd MAA was absorbed into 15 Field and George continued as BSM. He was honourably discharged in 1963.
George was awarded numerous war medals and the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD). In 2012, George was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. In October 2014, George was awarded the rank of Chevalier (Knight) of the Légion d'Honneur by the French Government and was subsequently presented the Medal by Consul General Jean-Christophe Fleury of the Consulate General of France in Vancouver, British Columbia in April 2015.
In 2014, George attended the 70th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy at the Juno Beach Centre. On this occasion, he also visited the grounds of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. George has participated in the Vimy Day Commemoration in Vancouver, British Columbia for many years. In addition, he attended the ‘From Vimy to Juno Reception and Ceremony’ and exhibition organized by the Juno Beach Centre and held at the Seaforth Armoury in Vancouver, British Columbia in December 2016.
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Major Ronald Mathews CD
One of our friends and colleagues, Major (Ret’d) Ronald Mathews MStJ, CD, MSc, recently passed away from complications due to his four year fight with Cancer. Ron had dedicated his life to the service of others and to his country. Volunteering as a member of the CAF (Reserve Army) in 30th and 15th Field Regiments (RCA), Saint John Ambulance and finally retiring from 12 Service Battalion as the Deputy Commanding Officer in 2015. His time also included a deployment to Bosnia as a UN peacekeeper.
Ron was an original member in the formation of the 39 Service Battalion Regimental Council and a member of the Guild of Waggoneers and Artificers. He will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by all.
Ron retired after 30 years, from his work with the Federal Service and RCMP a few years ago but maintain his work with the justice system and emergency services right until the end while still working on his PhD dissertation.
Ron will be interned on 26 October 2020 at the Grand mausoleum at Ocean View Burial Park, 1204 – 6455 Willingdon Avenue Burnaby, BC V5H 4E4. For those wishing to attend or wish to say a few words his widow Christine has requested that you contact:
Captain Rev. Kenneth K. H. Lo, M.Div.
Chaplain / Padre
39 Service Battalion
Canadian Armed Forces
ChaplainKennethLo@gmail.com / Tel: 604-813-2222 / Fax: 604-238-2302
The Padre will be preparing the guest list for COVID-19 contact tracking requirements. There are 30 spots available for 15th Fd, Saint John Ambulance, 39 Service Battalion and the RCMP to fill.
In addition Christine has offer the opportunity, for each of the Units Ron served with, to provide two members in uniform as poll bearers.
We offer our condolences to the family and that Ron may rest in peace.
Will
L.A.R. Watkins, CD LCol (Ret'd)
Regimental Secretary
39 Service Battalion
Regimental Council
One of our friends and colleagues, Major (Ret’d) Ronald Mathews MStJ, CD, MSc, recently passed away from complications due to his four year fight with Cancer. Ron had dedicated his life to the service of others and to his country. Volunteering as a member of the CAF (Reserve Army) in 30th and 15th Field Regiments (RCA), Saint John Ambulance and finally retiring from 12 Service Battalion as the Deputy Commanding Officer in 2015. His time also included a deployment to Bosnia as a UN peacekeeper.
Ron was an original member in the formation of the 39 Service Battalion Regimental Council and a member of the Guild of Waggoneers and Artificers. He will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by all.
Ron retired after 30 years, from his work with the Federal Service and RCMP a few years ago but maintain his work with the justice system and emergency services right until the end while still working on his PhD dissertation.
Ron will be interned on 26 October 2020 at the Grand mausoleum at Ocean View Burial Park, 1204 – 6455 Willingdon Avenue Burnaby, BC V5H 4E4. For those wishing to attend or wish to say a few words his widow Christine has requested that you contact:
Captain Rev. Kenneth K. H. Lo, M.Div.
Chaplain / Padre
39 Service Battalion
Canadian Armed Forces
ChaplainKennethLo@gmail.com / Tel: 604-813-2222 / Fax: 604-238-2302
The Padre will be preparing the guest list for COVID-19 contact tracking requirements. There are 30 spots available for 15th Fd, Saint John Ambulance, 39 Service Battalion and the RCMP to fill.
In addition Christine has offer the opportunity, for each of the Units Ron served with, to provide two members in uniform as poll bearers.
We offer our condolences to the family and that Ron may rest in peace.
Will
L.A.R. Watkins, CD LCol (Ret'd)
Regimental Secretary
39 Service Battalion
Regimental Council
Bombardier Nick Parrotta
Bombardier Nick Parrotta passed away May 2020. He served in 15th Field Artillery Regiment from 1982 until 1985. He subsequently joined 12th (Vancouver) Medical Company and served there for several years. End of Mission. Stand Easy.
Bombardier Nick Parrotta passed away May 2020. He served in 15th Field Artillery Regiment from 1982 until 1985. He subsequently joined 12th (Vancouver) Medical Company and served there for several years. End of Mission. Stand Easy.
Warrant Officer Lester Denis (Bud) Taylor CD
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Lester Denis Taylor AKA Bud, who lost his battle with cancer on Friday, July 17, 2020. Bud was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He leaves behind Sheila, his loving partner of 56 years, his three children Lynne Taylor of Kamloops, Sherri (Bruno) Valana of Kamloops and Denis (Deanna) Taylor of Victoria. Bud also leaves his three grandchildren Laura (Tyler), Sara (Dylan) and Ethan as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Bud is survived by his sister Lois Beasley of Kamloops. He is predeceased by his three brothers Ken, Floyd and Doug.
He was born in Edmonton, Alberta on February 5, 1943, his family moved to Vanderhoof, then to Kelowna where he spent most of his childhood. He then moved to Vancouver where he met and married Sheila in 1964 and raised their three children. He moved his family to Kelowna in 1974 before settling in Kamloops to open his own business in 1976. An avid outdoorsman, Bud would be found most weekends at a lake somewhere in the BC Interior with the love of his life by his side.
Most of Bud's career took him to places all over the BC Interior as a travelling salesman. His two passions later became kinesiology where he could help people with their different ailments and the church where he worked on strengthening his relationship with God.
For those who wish to attend, there will be a viewing at Schoening's Funeral Home on Saturday, July 25, 2020 between 2:00 - 3:00 pm. There will also be a service held at The Seven Day Adventist Church on Sunday, July 26, 2020 at 1:00 pm. For virtual attendance please go to www.kamloopsadventist.ca
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks for all the love and support from the many friends, family, caregivers, Royal Inland Hospital and the Cancer Clinic.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cancer Society in memory of Bud.
Condolences may be made online at
www.schoeningfuneralservice.com
To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Published in Kamloops This Week from Jul. 21 to Jul. 22, 2020.
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Lester Denis Taylor AKA Bud, who lost his battle with cancer on Friday, July 17, 2020. Bud was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He leaves behind Sheila, his loving partner of 56 years, his three children Lynne Taylor of Kamloops, Sherri (Bruno) Valana of Kamloops and Denis (Deanna) Taylor of Victoria. Bud also leaves his three grandchildren Laura (Tyler), Sara (Dylan) and Ethan as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Bud is survived by his sister Lois Beasley of Kamloops. He is predeceased by his three brothers Ken, Floyd and Doug.
He was born in Edmonton, Alberta on February 5, 1943, his family moved to Vanderhoof, then to Kelowna where he spent most of his childhood. He then moved to Vancouver where he met and married Sheila in 1964 and raised their three children. He moved his family to Kelowna in 1974 before settling in Kamloops to open his own business in 1976. An avid outdoorsman, Bud would be found most weekends at a lake somewhere in the BC Interior with the love of his life by his side.
Most of Bud's career took him to places all over the BC Interior as a travelling salesman. His two passions later became kinesiology where he could help people with their different ailments and the church where he worked on strengthening his relationship with God.
For those who wish to attend, there will be a viewing at Schoening's Funeral Home on Saturday, July 25, 2020 between 2:00 - 3:00 pm. There will also be a service held at The Seven Day Adventist Church on Sunday, July 26, 2020 at 1:00 pm. For virtual attendance please go to www.kamloopsadventist.ca
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks for all the love and support from the many friends, family, caregivers, Royal Inland Hospital and the Cancer Clinic.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cancer Society in memory of Bud.
Condolences may be made online at
www.schoeningfuneralservice.com
To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Published in Kamloops This Week from Jul. 21 to Jul. 22, 2020.
In Memoriam
Harry Payne Willoughby
June 6, 1920- August 11,1985
Remembering A Good Man
I Remember you Dad , as Today would have been your 100th B-day.
In your 65 Years on Earth, you accomplished some amazing things, which made an impact on your loved ones.
If I had to choose three words to describe you , they would be sensitive, caring and hardworking.
At the age of 19, you enlisted in the army on September 23, 1939 at York Island, B.C.
You fought overseas in World War 2, and didn't return back to your hometown of Vancouver, B.C. until 1945.
I couldn't imagine what it was like for you doing that difficult time.
In your younger years, you were an avid bowler, enjoyed being with your dog Pal, getting together with your friend Chuck , playing bridge with the neighbors,and relaxing after work with a cold beer
I especially like to remember you being silly which would sometimes lead to you dancing around the kitchen on a weekend night, taking me to go swimming at Kitsilano pool or Spanish Banks where you would find a shaded spot under a tree to keep cool as you were so fair.
You had your share of hard times, heartaches, and health issues , but that did not stop you from working hard for your family.
When people asked Mom how she managed with 5 kids, her response was always the same-I have a good man.....and you were!
Love you Dad,
Love, Karen(AKA :Sure, Sure, KK)
Vancouver Sun, 6 June 2020
June 6, 1920- August 11,1985
Remembering A Good Man
I Remember you Dad , as Today would have been your 100th B-day.
In your 65 Years on Earth, you accomplished some amazing things, which made an impact on your loved ones.
If I had to choose three words to describe you , they would be sensitive, caring and hardworking.
At the age of 19, you enlisted in the army on September 23, 1939 at York Island, B.C.
You fought overseas in World War 2, and didn't return back to your hometown of Vancouver, B.C. until 1945.
I couldn't imagine what it was like for you doing that difficult time.
In your younger years, you were an avid bowler, enjoyed being with your dog Pal, getting together with your friend Chuck , playing bridge with the neighbors,and relaxing after work with a cold beer
I especially like to remember you being silly which would sometimes lead to you dancing around the kitchen on a weekend night, taking me to go swimming at Kitsilano pool or Spanish Banks where you would find a shaded spot under a tree to keep cool as you were so fair.
You had your share of hard times, heartaches, and health issues , but that did not stop you from working hard for your family.
When people asked Mom how she managed with 5 kids, her response was always the same-I have a good man.....and you were!
Love you Dad,
Love, Karen(AKA :Sure, Sure, KK)
Vancouver Sun, 6 June 2020
