ALDRED – It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Elwood Morton Aldred. He was born on June 26, 1914 and passed into the presence of our Lord on May 27, 2006 at MSA Hospital in Abbotsford.
Elwood was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Nellie, brothers Lefroy, Graydon and Royden, sister Eulalie and daughter Debbie. He will be dearly missed by his loving wife Fern; daughters Gail (Hank) Penner, Dianne (Dale) Dixon and Donna (Mark) Schiller; his seven grandchildren Marcy, Ron (Cori), Steve (Lea), Rick (Amanda), John, Darren, and Gord (Sherry); his ten great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter.
Elwood was born and raised in Ceylon, Saskatchewan, spending one year of high school in Pasadena, California before moving to Regina with his family. He graduated from Normal School in Regina in 1934, teaching for two years in Pangman and Valor, Saskatchewan. He began driving bus for Greyhound in 1936 and then Pacific Stage Lines in 1946, until his retirement in 1979.
Elwood enlisted in the RCAF in 1942 and even though he was told that he was too big to be a pilot and would probably end up as an instructor, he persevered. He went overseas in 1943, flying coastal patrol and when the call came for all available pilots, he was in the right place at the right time. He was attached to Bomber Command as an officer, flying twenty-nine sorties and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1944.
After the war, Elwood moved to Vancouver where he met his wife, Fern. Shortly after they were married, they moved to Mission where they lived for many years, between moves back to Vancouver. Elwood lived an active life and loved sports and games of all kinds, including table tennis, billiards and curling but his first love was golf. He could often be found on ‘the links’ at the Mission Golf and Country Club where he was a charter member and spent much of his spare time. Elwood was also active in both his church and community, serving as a deacon and school trustee respectively.
He was a kind and generous individual who will be sadly missed by his family, friends and many coffee buddies. He will be remembered for his keen sense of humour and twinkle in his eye.
The family extends its heartfelt thanks to the caregivers at Bevan Lodge, as well as the third floor west staff at MSA Hospital, for their care and compassion during Elwood’s final six weeks. We also thank the many family, friends and neighbours for their expressions of sympathy and love.
A Celebration of Life took place on Thursday, June 1st at 1:30 p.m. at Abbotsford Pentecostal Assembly. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Elwood’s name to the Kidney Foundation of Canada or to the charity of your choice.