CALVIN ROBERTS

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CALVIN (CAL) ROBERTS, Major (Retired) It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Calvin Ernest Roberts, loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, on September 23, 2015. Cal passed away at the age of 86 years, with his wife and family at his side, at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg. Calvin was predeceased by his parents, Burton and Susan Roberts, brothers Charlie and Sanford Roberts, and brother-in-law Cliff Lane (Emily). Left to celebrate his memory are his loving wife Doreen, of 57 years; daughters, Cheryl Roberts-Dupasquier (Bert) of Winnipeg, Jennifer Roberts of Moth Lake, ON, and Kathy Pragnell (David) of Selkirk, MB; granddaughters, Carolanne and Jessica Dupasquier; grandsons, Eric Dupasquier, Dylan and Darcy Ilderton, Conrad and Joey Pragnell; brother Cyril Roberts (Virginia), sister Emily Lane; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Calvin was born February 9, 1929 in Highland Village, NS. Growing up he loved to play baseball and hockey in the local area. After completing high school in Bass River, he left home at the age of 17, and spent five years working in the mining industry in Trail, BC. While there, he enjoyed playing hockey with the Trail Smoke Eaters. Calvin joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in Trail, BC in 1952, and completed his basic training in Centralia, ON, earning top honours in his class. Shortly afterwards, he succeeded in becoming a fighter pilot, fulfilling the dream of a lifetime. He reminisced fondly of his postings to North Luffenham, England and Marville, France with #1 Wing 439 Squadron flying the F86 Sabre. He instructed on T-33 aircraft in Portage la Prairie, MB. It was here that Cal and Doreen Sproat were married in 1958 at Knox United Church. Cal was a Recruitment Officer in Windsor, ON from 1960 to 1963. His next postings were to North Bay, ON with Squadron 414, and then Bagotville, PQ with Squadron 425, where he flew the CF-100 and CF-101 (Voodoo). He enjoyed a tour in the United States from 1968 to 1971 as Aide to General Howard Morrison in Kansas City, Missouri (Richards-Gebauer Air Force Base), and Syracuse, New York 21st Norad Region Headquarters (Hancock Field A.F.B.), logging hours flying the T-39, a small passenger jet. Cal transferred back to North Bay, 22nd Norad Region Headquarters, where he worked in the Underground Bunker Complex on classified projects from 1971 to 1976. In 1976, he transferred to Winnipeg Air Force Base and flew the Dakota, retiring in 1982 as Commanding Officer of 3RSU after 30 years of service and 6500 flying hours in the RCAF and Canadian Armed Forces. Following his retirement from the Canadian Armed Forces, Calvin was employed by United Grain Growers (UGG) as Manager of Health, Safety, and Loss Control. He served on the Workers Compensation Board (WCB), the Investment Committee of the WCB, and, in the 1980s, was on the Kirkfield Park United Church Board. He retired from UGG in 1993. Calvin loved to fly. He also loved the country and spent many hours on his farm in Lake Frances, MB, raising and selling cattle. He always had a big garden and loved to experiment with growing new plants like grapes and peppers. He was a member of Breezy Bend Country Club where he enjoyed many hours of golf and the good fellowship of the country club members. Family was very important to Cal. He was very proud of his daughters and grandchildren. Calvin took great pleasure in family celebrations when everyone would get together for good food and board games. There will be a celebration of Calvin's life at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 23, at the Kirkfield Park United Church, 472 Kirkfield St., Winnipeg, MB. In lieu of flowers, donations in Calvin's memory may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society (45 Hurst Way, Winnipeg, MB R3T 0R3), or to a charity of your choice. Special thanks to the nurses of the Grace Hospital ICU for the compassionate care and support they gave to Calvin and our family.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 07, 2015