Deaths

4244 ROSS, Stuart Crawford (RMC class of 1959) On Thursday, November 25, 2010 in his 74th year. Suart Ross, loving father of Mike of Terrace, BC, Andy (Bonnie) of Calgary, AB and Jean-Francois (Annie) of Val-Cartier, QC. ‘Grampa Stuart’ will be forever remembered by grandchildren Isabel, Hayley, Brandon and Dahlia. Survived by his sister Razia of Melbourne, Australia. Friends are invited to join the family on Friday, December 3, 2010 at 3pm at the Whelan Funeral Home, 515 Cooper St (between Bay & Lyon) to celebrate Stuart’s life. A time of refreshment and fellowship will follow. Arrangements entrusted to the Whelan Funeral Home, tel. 613.233-1488.

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3190 Ian Richardson BALLANTYNE (RMC 1954)

BALLANTYNE, Ian Richardson (LCol, ret’d) Ian died peacefully in Ottawa, with family by his side, on November 20, 2010, in his 80th year. Born in Dumfries, Scotland and raised in Kitchener, Ontario, Ian graduated from the Royal Military College, Kingston in 1954 and Queen’s University, Civil Engineering, in 1956. After serving in Korea and the Middle East, Ian and his family followed his career to Kingston, Calgary, Chilliwack, England, Gagetown, the Netherlands and National Defense Headquarters in Ottawa. He retired in 1991 and moved to Calabogie, Ontario, to enjoy outdoor life with his dog, Tavish. He is predeceased by his daughter Patricia, his parents, Hilda and Harold, and his brother Jim. He will be lovingly remembered by his daughters; Peigi Dumouchel (Bryan), Sandra Ballantyne (Ibrahim Daibes), Nora Ballantyne (Chris Savage) and their mother Mary Ballantyne (nee Troup). Proud Papa to Meaghan, Gerry, Cole, Khalil, Rowan, Danna and Mara. Will be greatly missed by his Calabogie friends. A service to celebrate Ian’s life will be held at the Pinecrest Remembrance Chapel, 2500 Baseline Road, Ottawa on Monday, November 29, at 2pm. Reception to follow. The family thanks all those who provided compassionate care and support throughout Ian’s illness. For those wishing, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa, or the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health.

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HUTTON, Gilbert Jerome (Gil) – Former RMC Lecturer

Peacefully, surrounded by his family, at the Hamilton General Hospital. Gil will be sorely missed by his son Nick Hutton (Margaret Webster-Hutton), and daughters Susan Hutton (Richard Haché), Esther Clark (Garry Clark) and Rachel Hutton (Darren Brewer). Beloved grandfather of Shwaan and Blake Hutton, Gillom and Robyn McNeil, and Andrew and Laura Burney. Dear friend and brother of Donald (Stephney). Survived by nephews and nieces Don Jr., Lisa, Virginia and Glenn.

Gil grew up in Hamilton. His father, Gilbert (Bert) Lawrence Hutton, played First Cello for the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and Gil enjoyed a lifelong love of classical music. His mother, Edna Eloise Hutton (née Jerome), was a graduate of the University of Toronto and taught home economics in the Hamilton Board for over 40 years.

Gil was proud of his United Empire Loyalist roots and was a member of many historical organizations. He received his Bachelor of Science from McMaster and did his graduate work in metallurgy at the University of Toronto. He was a Don at Hart House and lectured at Royal Military College (RMC) in Kingston.

While at Mac, he joined the UNTD (University Naval Training Division) and later interrupted his graduate work to serve in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Korean War, including a tour of duty in the Pacific aboard HMCS Huron. While at RMC after the war, he noticed a picture of Catherine May on her brother’s dresser and asked for an introduction. Catherine and Gil were married for 20 years and had four children. He accepted a position with the Defence Research Board (DRB) – Atlantic and the newlyweds relocated to Halifax in 1960.

Gil loved Halifax and the Maritimes in general and was able to avoid being transferred back to HQ in Ottawa for 14 years. During the Halifax years, he and Catherine played a pivotal role in the civic effort to save the Historic Properties on the Halifax Waterfront from demolition. Gil served as president of the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia and as chair of the Halifax Landmarks Commission and single-handedly wrote the Call For Proposals when the project was finally given a window of opportunity. While at DRB, he worked extensively in the Canadian Arctic including one memorable field study conducted from tents outside CFB Alert in February.

Following retirement from the Department of Defense, he returned to Hamilton and was active in many local historical groups. He also participated in the Naval Officers Association of Canada (NOAC) and was a founding member of the UNTD Association. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of Canadian and naval history and enjoyed organizing tours, talks and contributing articles on the many topics that interested him. He was awarded the NOAC gold medal for his years of service in many roles including organizing several national conventions.

In 2002, he asked former WREN Eileen Church on a date to see the Buffalo Symphony. They were quickly inseparable. On June 7, 2008, Eileen and Gil celebrated their combined 170th birthdays (his 80th and her 90th) and were married at HMCS Star in Hamilton. Unfortunately, shortly after their honeymoon, Eileen contracted a rare condition (polyarteritis nedosa). She fought courageously for 18 months before she passed away last January. Gil seldom left her side and poured the last of his enormous energy and vitality into her care. Despite his failing health, he was determined to attend his daughter Susan’s wedding in Ottawa on October 2, just over a month ago – and convinced the doctors to release him from hospital in order to do so. With the help of many people, including his attendants Donna Baxter and Katalin Dyke, he went to Ottawa and for three days he enjoyed the type of large social gatherings he thrived on – his last big hurrah.

On November 11, surrounded by his children and grandchildren, with good humour and great affection, he made his final goodbyes, before falling asleep for the last time. He left us peacefully the next day.

A celebration of Gil’s life will be held at HMCS Star in Hamilton (650 Catharine St. North) at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 27. All who knew him are invited to attend.

The family asks anyone wishing to share stories or photos being collected for the Celebration to please send them to memoriesofgilhutton@hotmail.caThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Gil strongly supported the following organizations, but in lieu of flowers donations to any charity of your choosing would be entirely appropriate: 1. The Endowment Fund of the Naval Officers Association of Canada http://www.noac-national.ca/noac/endowform.html 2. The Canadian Naval Memorial Trust (HMCS Sackville) PO Box 99000 Station Forces, Halifax, NS, B3K 5X5, Tel: Winter (902) 427-2837, Summer (902) 429-2132, secretary@hmcssackville-cnmt.ns.caThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 3. The Friends of HMCS Haida, 658 Catharine Street North, Hamilton, ON L8L 4V7, 905-523-0682, hmcshaida@bellnet.ca

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