Everett Ray McCRIMMON

McCRIMMON, Everett Ray 1927 to 2018 Everett McCrimmon died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on February 19, 2018 at Toronto, Ontario. He was a wonderful father to Bob (Hilary), Janet, Don (Dar) and Ken (Mary) and very proud grandfather to Lynlee, Duncan, Morgan, Campbell and Kate. He is survived by his sister Joyce (Ron) and many nieces and nephews. Ev was predeceased by his wife Margaret, mother Bessie, father Arthur and his siblings Malcolm and Catherine. Ev was born in Edmonton and grew up on a farm in Bon Accord, Alberta during the depression. At the University of Alberta he hit his stride making lifelong and important friendships and participating in many extracurricular activities including choir, yearbook, sports announcing and sheriff of the Bar None. Ev's career included radio broadcasting starting with the program "Call of the Land" (which is still on the air more than 60 years later); public relations for Imperial Oil, Bank of Nova Scotia and CIBC; and teaching Public Relations at Durham College. These things tell us what he did but not who he was. Ev was a joiner and believed in the importance of civic duty. He took on leadership roles in Boy Scouts, Red Cross, Canadian PR Society and the Canadian Cancer Society, to name a few. His decades of service to Scouting were recognized by the Silver Wolf, the highest award made by the Scout Association "for services of the most exceptional character" presented by Governor General Jean Sauvé and the Silver Acorn award for "exceptional service to Scouting" from Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander. As an Alberta farm boy, he never learned to swim but that did not stop him from building and buying several sailboats. He loved to read particularly histories, biographies and mysteries. Later in life, attending the opera became a favourite activity. In retirement, Ev and Marg moved to Prince Edward County and enjoyed many wonderful years there. This move led to some of the greatest friendships of their lives. After building their home (right down to the floor boards) on Prinyers Cove, there were flower and vegetable gardens to mind, bees to keep and events to attend. They spent many happy times with family and friends there, especially neighbours Pat and Michael Chorney. Travel was a passion and Ev continued to explore the world as long as he could. Many family vacations were spent camping in Canada or cruising the Great Lakes. Ev and Marg travelled across North America in a motorhome. They also visited England travelling around the country by canal boat. Ev visited New Zealand and spent some of this time working on and staying at various farms. At age 72, Ev went to Cortona with his great friend Doug Shearer to study through the University of Alberta. Italy and Cortona became his favourite travel destinations without question and he went back to Italy at every opportunity. Ev firmly believed in the power and benefits of learning and supported the University of Alberta, Pearson College and Reaching for Rainbows Picton. Everett lived a long, rich and full life marked by strong family relationships, wonderful friendships, love, story telling, laughter, generosity, gentleness, humour and thoughtfulness. Oh, and how he loved ice cream! Many thanks to the terrific health care providers and caregivers who supported him the last few years at home and at Wesburn Manor. A celebration of life is planned for Picton in the summer. In lieu of flowers, donations to Reaching for Rainbows (http://reachingforrainbows.com/donate) would be appreciated by the family.