Henry Bertrand

BERTRAND, Henry Lewis (Hank) P. Eng. On March 5, 2011 Hank Bertrand of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta passed away at the age of 91 years. Hank was born and raised in Rocky Mountain House, son of Harry and Hilda Bertrand. His first dream was to be a pilot but was not accepted by the RCAF in 1938, and made his way to Britain to join the RAF. Hank proved a quick study and was recognized as a gifted pilot. Flying Officer Bertrand's No. 144 Squadron Hampden torpedo bomber P1273 was shot down over Finland enroute to Murmansk on September 5, 1942. Hank recalled spending the balance of WWII as a reluctant and intermittent guest of the German government at the Lamsdorf camp. Hank returned to Alberta and married Margaret Cony of Rocky Mountain House, and attended the U of A to achieve his second dream of becoming a Chemical Engineer. He worked in mining in BC and the oilfield in Alberta and Saskatchewan until 1967 when the family moved to Inuvik NWT where Hank became Regional Engineer for the DIAND. Marg and Hank spent 19 memorable years in Inuvik, Fort Smith and Yellowknife where Hank made many friends among the pilots, NWT Government trades-people and administrative personnel with whom he worked. He and Margaret retired to her childhood home in Rocky. Hank actively supported his community and charities such as CNIB, Lions, Royal Canadian Legion, and the Rocky Co-op where he earned the nick-name "Pancake" Hank. He was a founding member of the NWT Professional Engineers Association (NAPEGG), and an active life member of APEGGA in Alberta. Hank remained alert and retained his sense of humor and desire to learn until he passed. Hank is survived by Margaret, his loving wife of 64 years, son John (Margaret) of Edmonton, daughter Lynn (Sean) of Calgary, grandchildren Jeff (Jo), Jeannie (Nik), Robyn, Daniel, sisters-in-law Joan Myers of Santa Barbara, California, Gwen Batchelor of Richmond, BC and brothers-in-law, Joe (Joanne) Cony of Victoria, BC and William Hay of Edinburgh, Scotland, and special family friends Carol Fraser (Calgary), and Jane Henderson (Rocky). Hank was predeceased by his sister Carol Hay of Edinburgh.The family thanks his caregivers LordJim, Michele, Tanyia, Thomas and Philip who made his wish to live at home a reality. A Celebration of Hank's life will be held at the Rocky Mountain House Legion Thursday, March 10 at 11:00 a.m., lunch to follow. A Memorial will be held for family and friends at the home of John and Margaret Bertrand in Edmonton July 30, 2011. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to a charity of choice.