Lorne WEST

WEST, Lorne Ellwood (Lew)
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired)
OMM, CD, rmc, RCA,
31 July 1932 - 1 August 2012
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Lieutenant Colonel Lew West, (Retired) OMM, CD, rmc, a member of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery from 6 December 1948 to 18 April 1988, on 1 August 2012 at Ottawa.
Born in Wingham, Ontario and raised in Listowel, Ontario, Lew is survived by his wife, Hélène (Lalande), his three sons, Michael, David (Melodie Besse), and Paul (Margaret Alain), his grandchildren, Logan, Samuel, Anatholie, Wyatt, and Lorna, his step daughters, Lynn White, Kathleen Burns and Krista O'Neill and his stepgrandchildren Matthew and Kelley O'Neill, Mackenzie Creppin and Jacob White, his sister Joan Lewis and a number of nieces and nephews in Canada and the United States.
He is predeceased by his parents, John Arthur West and Marian Isabella Ross, his daughter Susan West, and his grand-daughter Lina West.
Until his retirement from the Canadian Forces in 1988, Lew served with distinction across Canada and around the world. His tours of duty included postings to Petawawa, Germany, Kingston, Toronto, Winnipeg and Ottawa, and he participated in two international peace and security missions, in India-Pakistan and in Vietnam. His part in the rescue of two Canadian officers illegally detained in Vietnam by the Viet Cong in 1973 provides clear evidence of his courage and leadership in times of crisis.
For fourteen years after his retirement from the Canadian Forces Lew continued his proud service with Canada's defence establishment as a civilian with National Defence Headquarters.
Lew was an example of the military credo of service before self and devotion to duty. It is with sincere gratitude and respect that we remember his fifty-four years of outstanding and honourable service to the Canadian Crown.
Friends may pay respects at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, on Sunday 12 August 2012 from 2:00 to 4:00 and from 7:00 to 9:00 and on Monday 13 August 2012 at 1:00, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 in the Sacred Space at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, and burial in the National Military Cemetery.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Royal Military College of Canada Foundation, Kingston, Ontario. Tributes can be sent at www.beechwoodcemetery.com
The family would like to thank Dr. Lawler and the staff of Elizabeth Bruyère Hospital, 5B, and the staff of the Ottawa Hospital, General Campus, 5NE, for their compassion, competence and kindness in caring for Lew in his final days.