Stanley Falconer MITCHELL

MITCHELL, Stanley Falconer Lieutenant Commander Stanley Mitchell, Royal Canadian Navy, retired, died on 22 June 2005 after battling cancer with exemplary fortitude. Born in Ottawa on 22 December 1926, he entered the Royal Canadian Naval College, HMCS Royal Roads, in 1943 and graduated Midshipman in July 1945. During his service career he served at sea in the destroyers HMCS Micmac and Fraser and in the aircraft carriers HMCS Warrior and Magnificent. His appointments ashore included service in the RCN Barracks, HMCS Stadacona, Halifax; HMC Dockyard, Halifax; RCN Barracks, HMCS Naden, Esquimalt; Canadian Services College Royal Roads and Naval Service Headquarters in Ottawa. In 1957-1958 he was a United Nations observer with the International Commission in Vietnam. On his final posting in Canadian Forces Headquarters in Ottawa he was instrumental in the creation of the Services Income Security Insurance Plan, the present-day insurance plan for armed forces members. For this he was given the Meritorious Service Award by the Department of National Defence. After early retirement, he and his wife Joan spent many years dividing their time between winter residence in McAllen, Texas and their summer home at Otty Lake near Perth, Ontario. In 1979-81 Stanley was a contracts officer for the Saudi Arabian Bechtel Corporation in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. In recent years, the Mitchells wintered in Victoria and spent summers at their Otty Lake home. Always out going and community-minded, Stanley was a constructive activist in Home and School associations, Scoutmaster for Sea Scouts in Ottawa and Boy Scouts and Cubs in Burlington, Ontario and Victoria, B.C. In Perth, Ontario he was a volunteer porter at the hospital for the past 17 years. In Texas he was a volunteer public school librarian. In recent years he was an active member of the Lanark County Quilters and the Victoria Quilters' Guild. He also played the "gut bucket" with Victoria's "Swinging Strings" band. For many years he organized annual reunions in Ottawa and Victoria for retired naval supply officers. In recognition of his effort he was recently awarded a commendation by the Naval Officers Association of Canada. Stanley is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Joan; sons Rodney (Heidi), Bruce, Bryan and daughter Robyn (Gary) McTavish; grandchildren Victoria, Heather, Liam, and Kathleen; great-grandchild James; sister Evelyn Kihl and brother Donald (Audrey). He was predeceased by his brother Harold. On news of his passing, his many navy friends across the country will, in their minds, hoist the two signal flags "BZ" to the top of the mainmast in his honour. Stanley will know what "Bravo Zulu" means. There will be a "Celebration of his life" to be held in Victoria B.C. and in the future, one at Otty Lake. Heartfelt thanks to all who helped to give Stan comfort over the past several weeks with visits, hugs and loves. Memorial donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Victoria Hospice or the Great War Memorial Hospital, Drummond Street, Perth, Ontario. A chapter completed A page turned A rest well earned. My husband, our Father, our Grandfather, our Great Grandfather, our friend. We'll miss you Hon. Published in the Ottawa Citizen on 6/25/2005