THOMAS E. WADY

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THOMAS E. WADY With sadness, we announce the death of Thomas E. Wady, aged 91, of Birtle, MB on June 9, 2006. Tom walked, gardened, and was actively involved in his community up until his hospitalization on June 5. He retained his keen interest in the lives of his children and grandchildren and fought to stay with them throughout his brief stay in Brandon Hospital. Tom was predeceased by his wife Phyllis (Dearlove) and his sister Molly Ferch. Tom will be dearly missed by children, May (Michael Farris) and George (Lori Boyko); and grandchildren, Christopher and Michael Reid, and Megan, Erin and Stephen Wady. Tom was born in Revelstoke, BC on March 14, 1915 to English immigrant parents, George Wady and Beatrice (Knott). After his parents separated Tom was raised by relatives in Warwickshire, England and Birtle, MB. His Birtle home was with his uncle and aunt, Alfred Webb and Ethel (Wady) on the farm south-west of Birtle. Tom was very fond of both homes, making many trips back to England to visit. After schooling in England and Birtle, at age 16, Tom registered in the Diploma Agriculture course at the University of Manitoba. He graduated in 1935 with the Governor General's Medal. Tom was a lifelong learner, who was very proud of the educational achievements of his family. Tom joined the Royal Air Force in 1935. He was a member of the R.A.F. Guard of Honor at the Cenotaph in London on November 11, 1935. Tom's military parade experience was still evident at age 91, as he walked straight and tall around Birtle. In the R.A.F. Tom flew in Bristol Blenheims and Vickers Wellington Bombers and trained as a Wireless Operator / Air Gunner and Air Observer, obtaining the rank of Warrant Officer. When the Second World War began, Tom trained student navigators, but in November 1940 joined the British crew attached to 304 Polish Squadron. On May 8, 1941, while on a raid over Germany, Tom's bomber was hit and he parachuted to safety, the sole survivor of a crew of six. He spent the next four years as a prisoner of war in eight different camps scattered throughout Germany, Poland, and East Prussia. The resiliency, strength, and determination that Tom found in those years were key components of his personality. Tom returned to Canada in 1946, working as a telegraph operator for the Canadian Pacific Railway out of Vancouver, BC. While there, he met Phyllis Dearlove, a Seattle nurse, and a former classmate from Birtle. Tom and Phyllis married in 1952 on Bainbridge Island, WA, returning to Birtle to farm with Uncle Alf and Aunt Ethel. Tom farmed until 1979, when he and Phyllis retired to a new house in Birtle. He helped son George with the farming operation, as much as possible, for the rest of his life. While Tom was conscientious about farming, he was also very sociable, enjoying visiting, companionship and support. Tom moved into Lion's Village in 1996, where he developed close relationships with his suite neighbours and his friends in the Sunday breakfast group. In the last few years of his life Tom was frustrated by blindness caused by macular degeneration. He appreciated the kindnesses of people who tried to help him compensate, including workers from CNIB. The funeral service was held on Tuesday, June 13 at 4:00 p.m. from St. George's Anglican Church, Birtle with Rev. Tom Stradwick officiating. Interment followed in the Birtle Cemetery. If friends so desire, donations may be made in Tom's memory to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Braendle-Bruce Funeral Service of Russell, MB in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 17, 2006