THOMAS EDWARD SCANLON

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THOMAS EDWARD SCANLON (Squadron Leader, CD, Retired) 1926 - 2007 With great love and wonderful memories, the family sadly announces the passing of Tom on April 19, 2007, at the Grace Hospital, in his 81st year. Born in Toronto, the eldest son of Joseph and Queen (Evelyn Willis). Tom was predeceased by his parents, and younger brother Jim. Tom will be lovingly remembered by his wife Joyce, sons, Mike (Karen), Dan (Lynn), and his grandchildren, Taryn Missy , Derek Buddy , their mother Linda and stepgranddaughter Charlene Blomme (Charles), all of whom he adored, and sister Joan. Tom grew up in Galt (Cambridge), Ontario. After graduating from De La Salle College in Toronto, he joined the Royal Canadian Navy. I liked the clean, shiny ships, and very quickly discovered who kept them that way . After basic training, Tom's first assignment was to go to Belfast, Ireland for the Commissioning of Canada's first aircraft carrier, the HMCS Warrior, and, as part of the crew, sailed her back to Halifax. Tom also served on the second carrier, the HMCS Magnificent. In November, 1950, Tom was released to shore for entry into another service, resigning with the rank of Petty Officer. In 1951, Tom graduated from RCAF Centralia with his Pilot's Wings, Course 23. He was assigned to 404 Squadron in Greenwood, NS flying the Lancaster on Maritime Patrol, and Later the Neptune aircraft. Tom went to Summerside, P.E.I. in 1955 as a flying instructor at 2(M) Operational Training Unit. It was back to Greenwood in 1958 as Chief Pilot on the Argus Conversion Unit. After a three month course in England, Tom went to Maritime Air Command in 1960, as Staff Officer, Management Engineering. From the Maritimes, it was off to the prairies, in 1964, to RCAF Portage La Prairie. Tom instructed pilots and had the first group of Tanzanian students. After one year, Tom came to Winnipeg as Examining Officer at Central Flying School. The next move was to the Air Navigation School, Flying Wing , also in Winnipeg, as Chief Pilot. At the time, there were 26 Dakota aircraft and some 80 pilots. Tom was very proud to be at The Wing in 1969, when it received National recognition for their flight safety record, covering five years of accident free flying and over 85,000 hours in the air. Tom enjoyed flying the Gooney Bird (DC-3) and did so on wheels in the summer and skis in the winter. Tom ended a 28-year military career at CFB Southport in 1973 as Base Flight Safety Officer. Continuing in the field of aviation, Tom spent the next 12 years as Chief Pilot for Ontario Central Airlines in Gimli and Winnipeg. As a young man, Tom enjoyed many sports, including hockey, baseball and football. During his Navy years, he played football for the Shearwater Flyers and Stadcona Sailors. In the RCAF, he played for the Greenwood Bombers. It was following a game at Greenwood in 1955, that the tall, handsome quarterback was introduced to a local lass. The following year, that quarterback, and the young lass were married in Halifax, NS. In July 2006, Tom and Joyce celebrated a journey of 50 years together. Tom enjoyed trailoring with the family, fishing, curling, his Scotch and cigars, rooting for his beloved Maple Leafs, Argos and Blue Jays, listening to his Big Band recordings, crosswords, reading, but his favourite pastime had to be puttering in his garden. He was never happier than when he was outside playing in the dirt! He was extremely proud to receive the Best Small Yard award in the Winnipeg Real Estate Garden Contest, in 1992. Tom was a good dad, and a wonderful husband. Quiet by nature, a private individual, a gentleman, a person with an exceptional work ethic, who also possessed a unique sense of humour. The family wishes to thank Dr. Nason at CancerCare, Dr. Stephenson at Assiniboine Clinic, Dr. Borrett, the paramedics, ambulance team, nurses and caregivers at the Grace Hospital for their care and compassion. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 12:30 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. For those wishing to honour Tom's memory, donations may be made to the Never Alone Foundation, 1465 Maroons Road, Winnipeg, or to the Winnipeg Humane Society. An Irish Blessing May God grant you to be as Happy as the flowers in May ~ Dad and Barney can now fish in the real God's lake~ Arrangements entrusted to: Chapel Lawn Funeral Home 885-9715

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 21, 2007