3590 Colonel (Ret’d) Peter Graham Howe (RMC 1956)
February 7, 1935 – February 25, 2009
PETER GRAHAM HOWE Pete passed away peacefully on February 25, 2009, at home in Brighton, Ontario, with his wife Laurie at his side. As well as Laurie he is survived by his son Tim (Lynda), Toronto; his daughter Mary Kapitza (Gary), Canmore, Alberta, and their children, Bryton and Raine; his step-children Marc Magee (Helene), Trenton, Ont., Daniel Magee (Pam), their children Andrew and Michael, Syracuse, NY; his brother Mike, Oakville, and his sister Bunny Bernstein (David), Toronto; and a slew of nieces/nephews, and grandnieces/nephews. Pete was the oldest child of Elsie and Glover Howe of Hamilton, Ontario. He joined the world on February 7, 1935, ‘feet first and running’ – and that was how he lived his life. At Hamilton’s Westdale High School he excelled as a scholar and an athlete (his triumphs included winning a cupboardful of alpine skiing trophies). He went on to Royal Military College, graduating in 1956 second in his class and winning the College’s ‘top athlete’ award; a year later he earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from Queen’s University. After completing his formal education Pete joined the RCAF; during his thirty-year career with the Air Force he logged thousands of hours as a fighter pilot, led his squadrons to many victories in international competitions and amply demonstrated what was perhaps his foremost attribute throughout his life – leadership. His last posting was Base Commander, North Bay; he retired from the Air Force in 1982 with the rank of Colonel. For the next twenty years Pete was busy as usual with several ventures including a stint with Canadian Airlines where he was responsible for Safety. After his final retirement he and Laurie moved from Vancouver to Brighton, Ont. to be closer to family. Last October he was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer, which ravaged his body but never daunted his spirit. Pete was a man of many and considerable qualities. In addition, he had a robust and lively spirit that gave rise to numerous anecdotes amongst those who had the good fortune to work with him over the years including this one from the early ’70s. Pete, as the Commander of the 434 Squadron of CF5 Freedom Fighters in Cold Lake Alberta, hosted an international competition to which were invited a number of US-based F5 Squadrons. At the dance in the Officers’ Mess the night before the event, Pete won a spontaneously organized competition with his American guests, to see who could slide the farthest on the powdered dance floor. He slid all the way across the floor, through the doorway and down the stairs. The accompanying picture shows him being trucked out to his plane the next morning for the competition, sporting a freshly broken ankle. His Squad won, of course, and he was second in the individual flying category. When asked how he got away with that, he replied ‘Simple, I out-ranked the Base Doctor!’ All of you who knew Pete will probably be thinking to yourselves ‘yes, that’s Pete all right!’ We will all miss Pete but we have no doubt he left this world as he entered: feet first and running. The family is not planning a public funeral. A private celebration of his life will follow at a later date. Condolences can be sent to Laurie Howe at 32 Shewman Road, Brighton On. K0K 1H0 or to Mike Howe at 451 Allan Street, Oakville On. L6J 3R2 who_cares@sympatico.ca. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society will be appreciated.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
5825 John William Loye (RMC 1963)
October 6, 1940 – March 2, 2009
LOYE, John William – Retired Physics Teacher, Limestone District School Board R.M.C., Class of ’63 R.C.A.F., 1963 -1967 Suddenly at the Kingston General Hospital in the early morning hours of Monday, March 2, 2009. Born in Kingston on October 6, 1940, he was an intelligent, proud, loyal, opinionated and stubborn man, a strict and caring father, a loving husband and a compassionate and skilled teacher. He lived his life with honour and on his own terms. He loved his family and wanted the best for them. He will be sorely missed. John leaves behind his wife Fenicia, his children Jeff, Trish (Patrick), Michelle (Jason) and Krista (Trent). A proud grandfather to Emma, Carter, Georgia, Scarlett, Travis and Shanna, who will miss their Poppo greatly. Also remembered by his sisters Shirley Reynolds (her late husband Ted), Barbara Arniel (Doug) and Patsy Andersen (Doug). In respect to John’s wishes, cremation will be immediate. A private service to remember John was held on Friday, March 6th, 2009. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations made to the Children’s Wish Foundation would be appreciated by the family. (Donations by cheque only please).