McManus, RSM John James Thomas CD (Retired)
This obituary for John McManus appeared in the March 23rd edition of the Toronto Star. John (known as JJT “Rock” McManus) was the RSM during my four years at RMC (1961 – 1965). Although I had been in Army Cadets for 5 years and the Armoured Corps Reserves for 3 years prior to RMC, I hadn’t come across anyone quite like him. I did not understand one word he said during my time at RMC because he only communicated through growls and snaps He had a highly polished pacing stick that he would open up and walk beside you twirling it as he went at the correct pace and stride length to show where your mistakes were (growling and snapping as he went). He was a tall slim man but physically tough as witnessed by the blood in the Fort Haldimand pool after waterpolo games between the Drill and PT staffs.
My vision of him is forever changed now that I know he was a husband, father and grandfather just like myself.
May God rest his soul.
Barry Watson, 6578
Tribute: RSM John James Thomas McManus, CD (Retired) in his 89th year, passed peacefully away with his family at his side at home, on March 20, 2010. Beloved husband of Sylvia Joyce (nee Attwood) and survived by his children Tighe (Jean), Ingrid Bernice (Robert), Mark (Odette) Antony (Louise Clouatre) and Wesley DeJeet (Leslie). Jim was also blessed with many grandchildren, including Brendan, Mandi, Devin, Angela, Rachael, Justin, Jordan and Darah Rene. He is also survived by Margaret, Ethna, Sheila, Jack and Paul, his siblings and his Aunt Nora in Pembroke.
Jim joined the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (MG) in 1937 and was a qualified sergeant when the Cameron Highlanders were ordered to War Establishment. After landing on D-Day he advanced through North-West Europe and participated in the Liberation of Holland and became RSM of the 3rd Battalion of the Cameron Highlanders, serving with the Occupation Force in Germany until June 1946, when the Regiment returned to Canada.
Subsequently, Jim was accepted into the Canadian Interim Force, and served with the Royal Canadian Regiment in Brockville, London and Petawawa where he obtained his parachute wings. Serving with the 2nd Battalion RCR he arrived in Korea in April 1951 and upon his return to Canada he was appointed as the Regular Force Sergeant-Major of the Army Contingent to the Coronation of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in London, in 1953.
In September 1954, the Regiment of Canadian Guards was formed and Jim was appointed the RSM of the Canadian Guards Depot that was responsible for the training of all new entries into the Regiment.
In June 1961, RSM McManus was appointed the College Sergeant-Major of the Royal Military College in Kingston and continued to serve with distinction until August 1971, at which time he took his retirement after serving Canada for over 34 years.
Mr. McManus commenced a civilian career in 1974 with Black and Decker at their plant in Brockville, responsible for Plant Protection and Maintenance, retiring in 1987 after a successful thirteen-year second career.
The funeral will be held at St. John Bosco Parish, 175 Windsor Drive, Brockville at 11:00 am on Wednesday, 24 March 2010. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Barclay Funeral Home, 137 Pearl Street East, Brockville, Ontario. Visitation will be on Tuesday, 23 March 2010 from 2 to 4 pm and from 7 to 9 pm and on Wednesday morning prior to the funeral from 9 to 10 am. Reception to follow the funeral at Barclay Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the RCR Education Fund for Children of Fallen Soldiers, P.O. Box 9999 Station Main, Petawawa, Ontario, K2H 2X3, the St. John Bosco Parish Building Fund, or the Brockville General Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre.
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2733 Mitchell Bourke, Class 1940
MITCHELL BOURKE 1923-2010 George Mitchell Bourke died peacefully March 23 at the age of 87 years. The eldest son of the late George Wesley Bourke and Beatrice Mitchell, Mitch was a graduate of R.M.C. and McGill University. He served his country courageously as Captain of a mobile artillery unit during World War II. President, then Director and Chairman of Bolton Tremblay Inc., his integrity and investmentacumen won the respectof the investment counselling community across Canada. Father of Steven, Michael and Julia, grandfather to Emory, Olivia and Ariella, brother of Douglas Bourke and the late David Bourke, and husband of Barbara Brown, then Camille Dion, he will always be remembered with affection and love. A special thanks to the staff of the Montreal General Hospital Dialysis Unit for their kindness and dedication. A service will be held at 11am Friday March 26 at the Unitarian Church, 5035 boulevard De Maisonneuve Ouest.
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