ALBERT A. WATKINS

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ALBERT A. WATKINS B.Sc., D.F.C. Albert A. Watkins died peacefully at The Gardens at Qualicum Beach, BC on Thursday, March 18, 2010 following a stroke. Al was born August 11, 1920, the third of the six Watkins brothers raised in the Banbury district south of Aylesbury, SK. He is survived by his loving companion Pat McLeod, of Qualicum Beach, his stepson David Hicks (Sue) of Winnipeg, and his son Dennis (Michelle) and grandchildren Zachary, Sasha and Solveig of Brentwood Bay. He is also survived by his brothers Frank, John (Peggy), George (Lesa) and Dave (Ruby), sister-in-law Marguerite (Henry), and by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Agnes (1993), parents Amy and Bert, stepmother Hazel, brother Henry (Marguerite), and sisters-in-law Mary (Henry) and Theresa (Frank). Following high school, Al apprenticed in the aviation trades at the Regina Flying Club. He enlisted in the R.C.A.F. in 1941. Following elementary flight training and initial service as a pilot with 132 Fighter Squadron in Ottawa and Victoria, he was assigned to 111 Fighter Squadron in 1942 and posted to active operations, involving both Canadian and American forces, from bases in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. In 1943, he was posted overseas with 440 Fighter Squadron to bases in Britain. His Typhoon was shot down on a mission to France in May 1944 and, after parachuting into the English Channel, he spent five and a half days drifting in a dinghy before being rescued by a Walrus amphibian. He was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for that exploit and, after many months of recuperation in England, shipped home to Canada. On his return from overseas, Al farmed and ranched with Watkins Brothers Ltd. in Aylesbury. He also purchased a small aircraft and operated a crop spraying business in the United States and in Saskatchewan. He married Agnes Hicks (nee Forbes) in 1952. In the mid 1950s, he moved to Saskatoon, enrolled in the University of Saskatchewan and obtained his degree in Agriculture, all the while working summers as a bush pilot in northern Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories to support his wife and family. Following his graduation in 1959, he joined the Manitoba Department of Agriculture as a district Agricultural Representative and moved his family to Ashern in the interlake area. He relocated in 1964 to work with the department in Winnipeg and, in 1970, returned to the interlake as Regional Director, based in Arborg and living in Glen Bay on Lake Winnipeg. After taking early retirement from the department in 1978, he moved with his wife to Victoria, but subsequently returned to extension work as Agricultural Representative in Quesnel and Vanderhoof in the British Columbia interior, until his full retirement in 1985. He later relocated with Pat to Qualicum Beach in 1997. Al earned the friendship and respect of many different communities over the course of his life. He will be sorely missed by his family, and fondly remembered by former colleagues and the many agricultural organizations and individual farmers and ranchers to whom he provided advice and support. Pat and his family thank the staff of The Gardens at Qualicum Beach for their care and attention to Al during his last few months and following his recent stroke. A service was held for family and friends at Yates Funeral Services in Parksville, BC on March 27, Rev. Foster Freed officiating. Interment and related family services will occur at a later date in Aylesbury, SK and Rathwell, MB. Donations in Al's memory may be made to The Salvation Army.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 03, 2010