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OAKVILLE BEAVER, Wednesday, April 11, 2007 47 Community Notices Classified Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm E-mail: classified@haltonsearch.com Obituary BERTRAM GEORGE DAY 1918 - 2007 After the death of his beloved wife of 66 years, Marguerite, from pneumonia on February 18, 2007, Bert lost his own life 2 weeks later on March 3, 2007 in a catastrophic electrical fire which destroyed their home. Because of his short term memory loss, Bert could not remember that his beloved Marg had died only days before, and he was therefore constantly asking after her, only to be told repeatedly - and each time as if for the first time - that she had just died. At 88, Bert was still very security minded, making sure the doors were locked, the lights off, the alarms on, and since he was on the ground floor and had built the house with several means of emergency egress, he could easily have escaped the fire. But, when the alarms went off, he woke to find that Marg was not in bed with him and, of course, he would not leave the house without her. Consequently he lost his own life in a family tragedy of Shakespearean proportions while looking to rescue her. His wonderful Tibetan caregiver, Sonam Tso, risked her own life trying to save him but was beaten back by heat, smoke and flames. She then ran down the laneway to the neighbours in her pyjamas, cutting her bare feet on the ice, to make the 911 call at approximately 4:15 a.m. The Milton Fire Department were actually in action at the fire only 7 minutes later. The first firefighters on the scene found the house engulfed, but also risked their lives and breached protocol by fog-streaming their way into Bert's bedroom - but he had gone looking for his Marg and was not there. Although he was born in Toronto, Bert's parents were both Newfoundlanders - his father, Reverend William Goddard Day of Old Perlican, a Methodist and then United Church Minister, died in 1919 shortly after Bert's birth, and his mother, Lena Elizabeth Day (nee Follett), was a schoolteacher from Western Bay. She died when Bert was 12 years old and he was raised by his strict, but devoted aunt, Pamela Ann Follett, a home missionary for the Methodists. While he had no brothers or sisters himself, his cousins from the other Day and Loveys clans became part of his own family. He became close friends with Marg's sister, Bernice, and her husband, Keith Huff, and their children, of Edmonton and later, Denver. After marrying Marguerite Gladys Bricker in 1941 and graduating from Forestry Engineering at University of Toronto, Bert spent his war years as a bomb disposal officer for Army Intelligence in charge of Western Canada against the Imperial Japanese campaign, which bombed Western North America from ingenious solar-powered hydrogen balloons. These hot-air type balloons were launched into the jet stream from Tokyo by the Bacterial Warfare Division of the Japanese Army, who were known to have used germ warfare in China by dropping bubonic plague-infected rice and fleas to the rats of several major Chinese cities. Because of the spying which preceded Pearl Harbour, the Japanese Balloon Theatre was successfully kept top secret even though hundreds of balloons (and their bombs) hit Western North America from 1944 - 46. Only normal soil bacteria from the Tokyo area were found in the ballast sandbags and other paraphernalia that made it across the Pacific, out of reach of all aircraft of the day, and invisible to early radar because the balloons had no metal structure. Bert called this campaign his "private war against Japan": "private" because he was sent out completely on his own with written authority from Brigadier Harvey in Ottawa to commandeer whatever transport or service or manpower he required from any of our armed forces in order to carry out his mission without explanation to any higher ranks, even though he was only a Lieutenant. For these services to our country, Bert was made a Member of the British Empire, with a citation for his "initiative, ingenuity and energy in recovering Japanese balloons and bombs from extremely isolated and most inaccessible locations". Postwar Japanese publications confirm that Tokyo never did find out that so many balloons had made the flight successfully. After the war, Bert taught Dendrology and Silvaculture at the University of New Brunswick until the Abitibi hired him as a Logging Superintendent, and he and Marg moved into a bush camp near Timmins with 200 other men. He soon opened his own mining timber business, which he operated in Timmins until 1967. He and Marg then built the Mohawk Inn in Campbellville which they ran together until 1974. During the Mohawk years, Bert became an antique expert, with formidable knowledge of pine furniture and all collectors' lines of glass and china. Losing the home that they had built together and turned into a museum of Canadiana antiques means the loss of countless sentimental treasures. Spiritual without being religious, our Bertram was ever the student, especially of the history of mankind, and of the accountability of the world's great religions. He would also quote extensively from the Bible and Shakespeare to illustrate a point, or just to appreciate their beautiful language, and he would go about his business all day singing or whistling to himself. Very few people would play cards with Bert because, given enough time, he would always win at poker or bridge. He had other "supernatural" abilities as a fisherman, and as a water witch - able to tell from an apple twig how deep the water was, how many gallons a minute, how pure, and so on. And he was never wrong! Marg and Bert were predeceased by their best friends, Loretta and Keith Stirling and Ann and Henry Kelneck, and they loved the Stirling girls and the Kelneck children and their families as their own. They are survived by three children and nine grandchildren, who strive to attain the high standards Marg and Bert set through their own attitudes and achievements: Peggy Haliburton and her husband, Michael, of Milton, and their children, Jennifer, Beth and Christopher; William Day and his wife, Stephanie, of Toronto, and their children, Amber and Lacey; and Richard Day and his wife, Karen, of Milton, and their children, Peter, Paula, Robert and Tianna. A fourth child, Marlene Anne Day, died from blood disorder in Fredericton shortly after her birth in 1946. Bert Day was the first person to lose his life in a fire in Milton in more than 30 years and the Fire Department regrets that they were unable to save him. But to the Department and those brave young firefighters who risked their lives for someone they had never met (Acting Captain Paul Hollingshead, Firefighter Tim Brown, Firefighter Gord Harse), please remember that you could not have saved him. There was no way he was leaving without Marg. We salute you with our thanks and admiration for risking your lives for him. Is it any consolation to know that he (along with all other veterans) often risked his life for you - and your parents - defusing anti-personnel bombs during the war to defend our values? We are grateful that our parents lived long and fruitful lives and touched so many people in so many ways. One of Bert's favourite sayings sums it all up for us - "Your mother is the best thing that ever happened to me." Please join us for a celebration of Bert's life and a light lunch on Sunday, April 22, from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. (Remembrances at 1:00 p.m.) at the Gambrel Barn, Country Heritage Park, 8560 Tremaine Road, Milton (905) 878-8151 (next to Kelso Ski and Conservation Area - just north of Marg and Bert's). Anyone wishing to make a contribution in Marg or Bert's memory is invited to consider the Alzheimer Society of Canada, 20 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 1200, Toronto, Ontario M4R 1K8, www.alzheimer.ca. Obituaries T Y R R E L L , R a y m o n d ( R a y ) " Tu r k " Suddenly, on Sunday, April 8th, 2007, in his 81st year. Beloved husband of Marjorie "Budge", for 61 years. Cherished father of Ray Tyrrell (Joan), Burlington a n d d a u g h t e r s Ly n d a S m i t h ( G r e g ) , Brantford and Heather Jackson (Peter), Wasaga Beach. Dear grandfather of 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Turk will be missed by his extended family, who are scattered around Ontario. Predeceased by siblings Al, Les and Muriel. Friends will be received at the OAKVIEW FUNERAL HOME, 56 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville 905-8422252, on Tuesday, April 10th, 2007 from 6p.m. until 8p.m. Funeral service to take place in the Oakview chapel on Wednesday, April 11th, 2007, at 1p.m. Interment to follow at St. Jude's Cemetery, Oakville. Donations to a charity of your choice appreciated. LAYFIELD, Ian Douglas - Suddenly on Sunday, April 8th, 2007 at the age of 57. Son of Donald and the late Lyn Layfield. Loving brother of Brian and his wife Susan. Cherished uncle of Isabelle and Bremner. Ian will be greatly missed by all his family and friends. Ian attended Oakville Trafalgar High School, Appleby College and graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Visitation will be held at the Ward Funeral Home, 109 Reynolds Street, Oakville (905-844-3221) on Thursday, April 12th, 2007 at 12 noon until time of Funeral Service at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. If desired, donations to the Community Foundation of Oakville would be appreciated. LOSACCO, Sam- Peacefully on Saturday April 7, 2007 after a brief illness at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital at age 69. Sam, beloved husband of Frances. Loving father of Nicole, Michael, and Rosalyn. Proud "Papa" of Darren. Son in-law of Cecile. Dear brother of Frank (Mary), Dominic (Tammy), Lucy (Vince), Nancy (Nicola) and brother in-law of Claude (Rose).Family and friends will be received at the Glen Oaks Memorial Chapel and Reception Centre 3164 Ninth Line (Hwy 403 at Dundas St. 905-2578822) on Thursday from 2-8pm. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday April 13, 2007 at St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church, 1150 Monk's Passage, Oakville at 1 pm. Interment Glen Oaks Memorial Gardens. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Lung Association would be appreciated by the family. On-line condolences may be made at www.glenoaks.ca GILBERT, Eleanor- On Sunday, April 8, 2007 at the Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga. Eleanor, in her 82nd year. Passed away peacefully with her family by her side. Beloved wife of Gordon of 61 years. Dear mother of Wayne and his wife Cecilia and the late Suzanne. Loving grandmother of Sean (Lisa) and Lance (Mylena) and great-grandmother of Gabrielle. Visitation will be held at the Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home, 64 Lakeshore Road West (one block east of Kerr, 905-844-2600), Oakville from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. on Thursday. Funeral Service 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 13, 2007 at the C h u r c h o f t h e E p i p h a n y, 1 4 1 B r o n t e Road, Oakville. Private family interment. For those who wish, memorial contributions to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family. Condolences and tributes may be sent to www.koprivataylor.com Obituaries WILLS, Leslie Arthur- Peacefully and gently at the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital on Wednesday April 4, 2007, Les Wills of Burlington, formerly of Oakville, in his 83rd year. Beloved husband and best friend of Kathy Wills. Much loved father of Brian Wills and his wife J a c q u i o f Va n c o u v e r, B . C . , a n d L e s ' daughter, the late Pauline O'Brien of Winnipeg. Stepfather of Wendy Smith and her husband Don of Burlington, Janice Oestlie and her husband Finn of Calgary, Lori Sullivan and her husband Shawn of Burlington, and father in law of Aidan O'Brien and his partner Betty-Lou of Winnipeg. Cherished grandfather of Jennifer, Lindsay, Shannon (Wilma), Kerry, Stacey, Erin, and great grandfather of Aidan. Step grandfather of Lee, Michael (Tori), Kathleen, Sarah and step great grandfather of Naomi. Dear brother of Edna, and Len and his wife June, all of England. Special uncle of Julie Hemmings of Sussex, England. Also predeceased by 3 sisters and 1 brother in England. Les was a Veteran of WWII where he proudly served with the British Royal Artillery, a former member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #60, Burlington and retired from The Ford Motor Company, Oakville where he worked in the Ford Control Office. Private Family Visitation and Cremation. A Celebration of Les's Life will be held at SMITH'S FUNERAL HOME, 485 Brant Street, (one block north of City Hall) BURLINGTON (905-632-3333) on Saturday April 28, 2007 at 11 a.m. If desired, expressions of sympathy to the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation Chedoke Respirology Fund would be sincerely appreciated by the family. www.smithsfh.com WILSON, Grace- After a courageous battle with cancer on April 8, 2007. Predeceased by her husband Don Wilson. Survived by mother Grace; brothers John and Billy; daughters Jacqueline, Caroline and one son William (fiancée Julie). Nana will be missed by Sarah and Daniel. She will also be missed by her many step-children and grandchildren. Family and friends may call at the Ward Funeral Home, 109 Reynolds Street, Oakville, on Thursday, April 12th, from 7-9 p.m. Funeral Service in the Chapel on Friday at 1 p.m. Cremation to follow. Donations would be greatly appreciated to the Canadian Cancer Society. In Memoriam Grazyna Stephanie Paluch In the spring of April 11/58 you came to us bringing sunshine. In the spring of April 11/97 a dark cloud came over our lives. Ten years ago you left us with broken hearts and eyes that won't stop crying. We love you and miss you very much. Love: Mom, Sisters: Sophie & Reggie THE Oakville Beaver would like to express sincere and heart-felt condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Say You Saw the ad in... The Oakville Beaver. Classified Gets Results!!