05 Jan 09: Just a reminder to everyone who is not a life member that it is time to pay your annual membership dues. The cost per year is $10.00 or $100.00 for life.
07 Feb 09: Calling on all Flight Engineers! We need pictures! We are looking for pictures of flight engineers around aircraft or at social activities where ever they may be. If they are photos, if you can have them scanned and send them to us by email or send us the pictures and we will have them scanned and return them to you. We would like to use the pictures in the Propwash and at the up coming Mess Dinner in Trenton in June 09.If you can help please contact the Web Master, Mac MacGregor, info can be found on executive page page.
25 Apr 09: Any member who has not received their Propwash lately please get in touch with President Geoff Brogden. It could be that we don’t have your latest address or that your membership has lapsed. A quick phone call or email could rectify the problem.
25 Apr 09: Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Terry Zech please let us know. We don’t have his current address. His last posting in the service was 413 Sqn Greenwood. There has been talk of him back out in the Alberta somewhere. Please contact Geoff Brogden if you have any information.
24 May 09: Submitted by Ray Gillis.
Bill C201; A bill to stop the clawback of our military pensions when we reach 65, passed the second reading in the house of commons on 14th May. The vote was 139 for and 129 against. It has been sent to Committee for study. I ask all FE\’s to check the web site on how they voted and if your MP is a vote against send him a message to state your displeasure. Peter MacKay our MND voted against, something I will never understand.
Ray
10 Aug 09: From Larry Cote
Yesterday I had the privilege to represent, on parade, all ex CC115 FE’s at the dedication of the rebuilt CC115461. The ceremony was held at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton and the aircraft was dedicated to the 9 peacekeepers who gave their lives for the cause of world peace. The daughter of MCpl Ron Spencer, the FE killed in the action, was on hand to recite a poem written by her and dedicated to her father. The ceremony was held on Aug 9, the 35th anniversary of the destruction of 461 in Syria and the date of the annual Canada UN Peacekeepers Day. There was a large crowd of dignitaries and veterans on hand. Over 100 veterans were on parade.
16 Sept 09: It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Art Dahr Wednesday morning the 16 September 2009. More information will be posted when available.
Art was never Art Dahr, he was “Arty Dahr from Pugwash”. I first ran into Art in 426 Squadron at Lachine Quebec in the early to mid 50’s. Prior to Lachine he had joined the air force in 1948 and spent some time in Greenwood working on the Lancaster. Now he was a North Star man. After a relatatively short period in the maintenance field, and a bit more time as an instructor in the “trade advancement” centre, he became a flight engineer on the North Star. He stayed with the Star until after the Yukon came into service in 1961. In fact even after he was trained on the Yukon he went back to the North Star for a short period during an emergency at the time. At the end of that phase of his career, I recall him saying how easy and comfortable it had been to fit back into the North Star FE routine. He also said it gave him a chance to reach and exceed 6000 hours on the aircraft type. He is the only FE that I am aware of to reach 6000 hours on the Star. Art flew on the Yukon till the end of the 60’s when he trained on the Boeing 707. He flew on this aircraft until 1974, when he retired after 26 years of service. Acquiring his civilian papers Art began flying with Quebec Air his first civilian employer, where he stayed for five years. Next he moved to Ontario World Air and after two years, both airlines used Boeing equipment, he finally he moved to Worldways Canada in the early 1980’s flying out of Toronto. With the latter airline he was nursemaid to the Boeing 707, the Douglas DC 8, and latterly the Lockheed 1011. He retired in 1990 to this home of many years near Brighton Ontario. At this time he had some health problems and recovered. He took up his old love of sailing and became very involved with this in latter years.Art was a very friendly soul and over the years, a very familiar figure in the Brighton Legion, both as a visitor as well as a member of the exectutive. A very outgoing and dedicated individual.
Rest in peace Art.
Geoff
06 Oct 09: It is with great sadness we announce the passing of B.F. “Stretch” McNeil Tuesday the 06 October 2009. More information will be posted when available.
BRUCE F. (STRETCH) MCNEIL December 8, 1932 – October 6, 2009 It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Bruce Stretch McNeil, peacefully on October 6, 2009 at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg with his wife, family and friends at his side. Remaining to forever cherish Bruce’s memory are his wife Patricia (Truman) McNeil; children and stepchildren, Debbie (Mike) Burns, Patti (Phil) Edwards, Donna (Don) Sutherland, Penny (Peter) Litwiller, Kathy (Gary) Gough, Bruce McNeil, Tammy (Pat) Bonner, Brent (Jennifer) McNeil, Barry McCallister, Ryun (Laura) Truman, Susan (Mark) Roffey, David (Lorreina) Allison; 27 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; his brother, Bobby (Pearl) McNeil, and many nieces and nephews. Bruce was predeceased by his parents, Maude (Roche) and Daniel McNeil; his wife and mother of their eight children, Lilyan (Reynolds); his sisters, Marie and Miriam; and brothers, Jack, Gerald, Thomas, Burton, Donald, and Daniel. Bruce was born in Spryfield, Nova Scotia on December 8, 1932. He joined the RCAF in 1950 and served his country for over 38 years. He was a highly respected flight engineer who spent much of his career at CFB Greenwood, NS. As a young airman, he was an active participant in sports, particularly as a baseball player where he acquired his nickname Stretch. One of the highlights of his sports life was throwing the first pitch at a Blue Jays Game during his tenure as Base Chief of Trenton. He played and coached hockey as well, but was first and foremost a family man who enjoyed his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews with obvious affection. He retired in 1988, serving the last eight years as Base Chief Warrant Officer at CFB Trenton, where his kindness, compassion and integrity touched the lives of so many. Since his retirement, Bruce suffered from ill health that continued over the years through which he demonstrated amazing courage, resilience and dignity. His smile always lit up the room and his knowing wink was a delight to behold. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Home Care workers who helped Bruce so much over the past eight years in Winnipeg, and to the doctors and nurses at Grace Hospital who so compassionately cared for him during his final few days. Remembered fondly by all who met him and beloved by all who knew him, Bruce will be missed by many. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 9, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church, 4588 Roblin Blvd. with Rev. Msgr. Maurice Comeault P.H. presiding. For those who wish viewing will be held prior to Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 6 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
19 Nov 09: It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Dennis Fawcett Thursday the 19 November 2009.
FAWCETT, Dennis, CD Thursday November 19, 2009 surrounded by family and friends at the age of 62. Beloved husband of Diane. Loving father of Andrew (Jihee) and Erin (Dan). Proud grandfather of Ewan. Predeceased by wife Donna (Johnston). Dennis lived a rich and fulfilling life and will be remembered by his many friends, family and co-workers for his warm heart and great sense of humour. Honourably served for 30 years with the Canadian Air Force, stationed with the 440 squadron in Yellowknife and Edmonton, the 426 and 436 squadrons in Trenton and most recently the 412 squadron in Ottawa. After his retirement in 1995, he began a successful career in real estate with Royal LePage. Friends may pay respects at the Kelly Funeral Home, 3000 Woodroffe Avenue, Barrhaven Monday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Tuesday to St. Richard’s Anglican Church for Service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Ottawa Hospital Foundation appreciated.
You may leave your condolences or share memories by signing the Guest Book at this link:
http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?I=LS000136213954X
11 Dec 09: The annual FE’s, OBSERVERS & SAR Techs Xmas Cheers went very well , we had around 65 throughout the afternoon and everyone had a great time ,some had’nt seen each other for years. W e had two from Halifax , but due to the weather others from N.B had to cancelled, but maybe next year the weather might co-operate. For all those that showed up we thank you , and for those that didn’t you missed a good get together and hope to see you next Xmas.
Cheers for now .
Al Belliveau
Hope to see you for the 2010 re-union 16th through the 19th September 2010 here in Greenwood,
Anyone with information about a Flight Engineer that has passed away please let the Web Master know and I will make sure that the individual’s name is posted in the “Fallen Eagles” page. They don’t have to be a member of the CMFEA to be listed. I just need name and initials and month & year of death.