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WADE, Grant


Grant Wade was born on February 27th 1923 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He died peacefully on June 14th 2016 at Suncreek Village, Surrey in his 94th year. He was predeceased by his wife Nancy Wade (McMillan) in 2010 and his older brother, Gordon Frederick Wade in 2014 and his sister-in-law, Doreen Wade in 2013. He was a lovely man who was well liked by all who met him--those he worked with, his many friends and all of his extended family. He lost his mother at a young age and was raised by his maternal grandparents who adopted him and his older brother, Gordon. He will be lovingly remembered by his children: Karen Eidet (Peter), Laurel Plimley (Mark) and Warren Wade (Cathy). Cherished grandfather of Sean Berry (Liz) Nathan Berry (Becky), Trish Taccone (Jeff), Peter Eidet, Kim Affleck (Andrew), Warren Cundy (Candace)-and loving great-grandfather of Ben, Samantha, Joshua, Eden, Josh, Ethan, Crosby, Mackenzie, Simon, Stella, Sam, Liam, Maggie and David. As a youth, Grant enjoyed church camp at Gimli, playing hockey and writing short stories. He had a lovely tenor voice and took part in school musicals at St. James Collegiate in Winnipeg. He enlisted in the RCAF in 1942 and was in active duty as a bomb aimer on an Avro Lancaster situated on an RAF base (Squadron 101) in Ludford Magna. These Lancasters flew with "Airborne Cigar" ECM-specially equipped to confuse the Axis radar. His squadron flew more raids than any other RAF Bomber Command-and their sacrifice was great-- they lost over 1100 aircrew. He was fortunate and came home. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross upon his return. The Grain Exchange hired him back as promised. Soon he met Nancy McMillan and they married in 1949. He worked for TCA (Trans Canada Airlines) as a steward and flew mostly throughout western Canada. In 1954, he began working for Aero Caterers which became Cara Operations. In a brief sojourn away from Cara-in 1968, he bought a restaurant with a partner: Ricky's (the original one) in Park Royal, West Vancouver-and the family moved from the prairies to the west coast. In 1970, after his partner was no longer able to work, they sold the restaurant and he returned to Cara-and was transferred to head office in Toronto. He worked with many different airlines and food suppliers. He and Nancy enjoyed cross-country skiing, playing cards with friends and travelling in Ontario with many friends who lived in the area. He enjoyed his work and was hesitant to retire. He spent 19 years in Toronto before retiring to South Surrey in 1989. He spent his last 3 years in Augustine House-in independent living. He drove his car until early April. Grant was an introvert-but as he aged, he voiced his opinions more often. An avid fan of the newspaper, he could discuss any current event. He loved sports: hockey, baseball and football. He was a member of the United Church in all of his communities. Every year he and his family went on holidays-often camping. He and Nancy visited Great Britain twice, Hawaii, Arizona, and other southern states. He went on his first trip to Mexico for his 90th birthday with Warren and Cathy. Grant made many, many friends. He was an unassuming and likeable man. He was often called upon to give advice to friends. He carried himself very well when he walked and he was quite a handsome person. In his later years he enjoyed being a member of the Monarch Lions and cooking at their yearly Fathers' Day Pancake breakfast held at the Legion (where he was a member). He also always attended Remembrance Day Ceremonies each year at the legion and then at Augustine House. A wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He will be missed but his memory will live in our hearts. Memorial service to be held at 11:00 am Sunday July 10th at the East Delta Community Hall, 10379 Ladner Trunk Road, Delta. In lieu of flowers please give to a charity or your choice (Grant had no favourite--but gave to many).