ERIC CLIFFORD HODGSON

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ERIC CLIFFORD HODGSON It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Eric Hodgson, on September 28, 2006, at the age of 91 at Deer Lodge Centre. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Edith Hodgson, his first wife Doris Rogers (Sproston), his sister Dorothy and brother Norman. He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Gwen (Holmes) (nee Davidson), with whom he joyously spent the last 15 years. He is also survived by a stepson Brian Rogers, a daughter Cynthia Dumont and her children, Jackie, Dan and Steve (Tammy); a son Barry and his wife Barbara and their children, David and Catherine; and his sister-in-law Elinore Hodgson, all living in Ontario; and by Gwen's daughter Shan Holmes and her children, Bryan and Janet Baisarowicz in Winnipeg. Eric was born in the R.M. of Coldwell in the Interlake District of Manitoba on June 2, 1915 and lived there until the family moved to Winnipeg in 1923, where he completed his education, graduating from Kelvin High School in 1932. At the outbreak of Second World War he enlisted in the RCAF and served as a bomb-aimer on a Wellington Aircraft called Dreamboat, flying out of Britain and North Africa. They completed one tour, followed by a stint as an Instructor at OTU Honeybourne, with the rank of Flight Lieutenant. At the end of the war he returned to Canada, married Doris and spent 12 years in a fruit growing operation with his brother in the Niagara Peninsula; then he assumed the position of Postmaster at Vineland Station until his retirement in 1980. After Doris died in 1988, he returned to Winnipeg and married Gwen in 1990. Eric was a lifetime member of the Anglican Church, St. Luke's in Winnipeg and St. John's in Jordan, Ontario, but he faithfully attended services at First Presbyterian in Winnipeg, with Gwen. He was a past Director of the Ontario Postmasters' Association; a member of the Jordan Lion's Club; Life Member of the Wartime pilots and Observers Association; a member of Gilbert and Sullivan Society, St. David's Society the Air Force Association and ANAVETS Unit No. 283. He derived a great deal of pleasure from the mini-reunions of his wartime air crew, usually held in Ottawa. He was devoted to his and Gwen's children and grandchildren and followed their activities and accomplishments with great pride and pleasure. He was a kind, gentle man, a real people-person, much loved and highly regarded by a multitude of friends and will be sorely missed by all who new him. Our grateful thanks go out to the staff at Deer Lodge, whose care and compassion and sense of humour helped us all during the ten months he spent in Tower 4. In accordance with Eric's wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue, on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 at 12:30 p.m. with reception to follow. If friends so desire, donations in Eric's memory may be made to Deer Lodge Centre Foundation or to St. John's Anglican Church in Jordan, ON. CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME AND RECEPTION CENTRE 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 30, 2006