Courtney Shippy Spurr Gilliatt

GILLIATT, Courtney (Court) Shippy Spurr. Brigadier General (Ret'd), Canadian Armed Forces, DFC Born 1921 in Annapolis Royal, NS, Court died Oct. 17, 2008 at the Queensway Carleton Hospital, Ottawa. He died as he lived - a gentle man and a gentleman. Survived by his sister Hortense Marie (Sally) Padmore of Toronto, and his wife of 60 years, Helen (Edwards), daughter Vicki (Paul Hand), son Chris (Angie Wong), daughter Cathy (David Walker), and grandchildren Michael, Peter and Robin Hand, Richard and Anna Gilliatt, Christopher, Matt and Alex Walker. Before the war, Courtney attended the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) where he won the Govenor General Medal and the Macdonald Scholarship (1941). In his wartime service he was a pilot with the 107th RAF Squadron, flying Mosquitos over Germany and France with his RAF navigator Johnnie Hill. Courtney was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service. After the war, he attended McGill University (Macdonald Campus) and graduated in 1947 with his B.Sc. He reenlisted in the service after graduation. He served at Randolph Air Force Base, TX, and Scott Air Force Base, IL, and then Portage la Prairie, MB, as commanding officer of the flight training school. After time in Trenton and Winnipeg, two tours in Europe followed - Ramstein, Germany (4rth ATAF) and four years as senior Canadian officer at SHAPE in Mons, Belgium. Back in Ottawa, Courtney enjoyed the position as one of the honorary aides to Governors General Vanier and Mitchener. In 1993, he was honoured with the Distinguished Alumnus Award by NSAC for his broad life achievements. After retiring from the Canadian Armed Forces in 1976, Courtney earned an M.A. degree in International Affairs at Carleton University (1977). Courtney's life was not all work. He had a great affection and affinity for the natural world, especially birds. Peterson's Field Guides to birds and flowers were an important part of Gilliatt countryside travels. His love of nature and reading had been sparked at an early age by his mother and father, Hortense and Frederick Gilliatt. His sister's interest in reading lead her to become a career librarian. Courtney's reading joys in retirement centred on serious political and historical literature. This good family man will be missed. A remembrance service will be held at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair and McGarry, 315 McLeod Street, Ottawa on Saturday, November 8 at 11:00 hours. In lieu of flowers, please remember your local Food Bank. p.s.Before his death, Courtney managed to complete his vote at the advance poll in the recent federal election. A true Canadian.