JOHN STUART WALLACE

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JOHN STUART WALLACE Peacefully on June 4, 2007, John passed away at the hospital in St. Pierre at the age of 83. Dad was predeceased by his parents Robert and Mina; his brothers, Don and Bill; and his daughter Melanie. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Cicely; five sons, Robert, Chris (Roxanne), Ian, John (Lorie), Donald (Janet); eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. John Stuart Wallace, son of Robert Wallace and Mina McCaw of Niverville, was born in Winnipeg on July 2, 1923. He lived in the Niverville district all his life, with the exception of the years spent in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. He attended Kingswood School, Niverville, and St. James Collegiate in Winnipeg. In June of 1940, dad volunteered for service in the R.C.A.F., but being under the age of 18, was presented with a pin and not called for service until November 1940. He had his basic training at various stations in Canada, including Brandon and Arnprior, where he received his commission holding the rank of Pilot Officer. He proceeded over seas to England in November 1941, where he became a navigator on the Halifax and Lancaster bombers. He made 35 trips on bombing missions over Germany and was awarded the D.F. C. which was presented to him at the Buckingham Palace by King George the Sixth in 1945. He attained the rank of Flight-Lieutenant. In June 1945 he married his wife Cicely Garton in England and after being honorably discharged from the service, he returned to Niverville in November 1945 to operate his own farm, where Dad and Mom still resided. Throughout the post war years, Dad was active in various branches of community work. He was chairman of the Board of Elders of Niverville United Church for a number of years, and also a trustee of the church. Before the amalgamation of Kingswood School with Niverville, he served on the school board. In 1959, Dad organized the first 4-H clubs in Niverville, a beef club and a seed club. In 1960, Dad was elected to the council of the Rural Municipality of Ritchot where he held office as councilor and later as Reeve until 1972. He was reelected as Reeve from 1986 to 1992. Dad was employed by the Provincial Government as a northern coordinator for the department of Northern Affairs, a position he held from 1972 until 1986 when he retired. After his discharge from the armed forces Dad was a supportive member of A.N.A.F. unit 304 Ste. Agathe where he served on the executive board for a number of years. He became president of the unit in 1975 until 1978. Dad received a lifetime membership from the A.N.A.F. Throughout the years of his life Dad's passions were his wife and family, his farm and his dogs, especially his Irish Setters. Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds, --and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of --Wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air... Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark or even eagle flew -- And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. - by John Gillespie Magee, Jr The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of the hospital in St. Pierre and special thanks to Heather, Levis and Joanne for their kindness. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society, 5 Kent Street, Winnipeg, MB R2L 1X3. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, June 13 at 1:00 p.m. at Niverville United Church, 55 First St. N., Niverville. Arrangements by: Birchwood Funeral Chapel 1-888-454-1030 or 1-204-346-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 09, 2007