Dale, Howard Walter D.F.C.
With great sadness we announce that on October 24, 2005 Howard Dale passed away with courage and dignity with his family beside him at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
He leaves to mourn his loving daughter Diana Pearson and her husband Wally, grandsons Michael and Christopher Pearson (fiancee Michelle Holland), sister Margaret Quesnel of Sudbury, Ontario, Wally’s family of children and grandchildren, beloved nieces and nephews in Canada and England, his four footed partner Geordie, and many friends. He was predeceased by his wife Doris in 2004, son John in 1948, brother Ken, and sister Lillian. Howard was born in Bowmanville, Ontario on Feb. 10, 1918, but called Regina his hometown. He enlisted in the RCAF in 1940 and became a navigator in Bomber Command. He was posted to Waltham, Lincolnshire, England where he met and married Doris in 1942. After completing his first tour of operations during 1941-42, Flight Lieutenant Dale served as Squadron Leader and Chief Ground Instructor. He then returned to operations until the end of the war. After completing 45 operations in Lancasters and Wellingtons, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for "completing numerous operations against the enemy, in the course of which he invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty." Howard and Doris moved back to Canada in 1957. They lived in Winnipeg and Moose Jaw before settling in Nanaimo in 1969. Howard retired as administrator of the Workers' Compensation Board in 1983. He loved boating and was a long time member of Nanaimo Yacht Club and Canadian Power Squadron. A talented musician with a natural ear, Howard spent the past 30 years playing his saxophone and other instruments with several musical groups including the Bowen Park Seniors' Orchestra and Thursday night dance band, The Chelsea Trio, and Liz & the Lads. He greatly enjoyed playing for seniors and shut-ins and just jamming with his musical friends. Howard was a member of the Air Force Association of Canada 808 Thunderbird Wing, Aircrew Association V.I. Branch, United Services Institute, Branch 257 Royal Canadian Legion. The family wishes to thank the nurses on first floor and palliative care at NRGH, and Drs. Bradley, Kenyon, Silva and Love for their kindness and compassion. Howard was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. He loved life and was cheerful to the very end. A Service of Remembrance will be held to honor him later in November. Details will be announced soon in this newspaper. In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of your choice in Howard's memory would be appreciated. First Memorial, Nanaimo.