Flt. Lieutenant Frederick Cameron SHORTTS

35 SQUADRON PATHFINDER FORCE - RAF ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE , DECEMBER 16, 1913 ­ FEBRUARY 23, 2009 FLT. LIEUTENANT FREDERICK CAMERON SHORTTS, DFC Frederick Cameron Shortts, `Cam' ­ In loving memory One of Sudbury's `famous flyboys', Frederick Cameron `Cam' Shortts (95) slept away peacefully Monday morning, February 23rd, 2009 at York Extendicare in Sudbury. He was the beloved husband of Margaret Gardner of Sudbury and loving father of daughters Judy Herold of Sudbury (predeceased), and Jane Van Horne of Toronto. The eldest of four children, he is survived by his youngest sister Jean Pitkethley (Doug) of Sudbury and predeceased by his sister Lorna Huffman (Charlie) of Strathroy, ON and brother Roy (Netta) of Napanee, ON. He will also be missed by his son-in-law John Herold of Sudbury and his 3 wonderful grandchildren ­ Cameron Herold (Jane) of Vancouver, Todd Herold (Jody) of Sudbury, and Kristi Herold Miller (Rolston) of Toronto. For the past 8 years the joy in his life was his 7 great grandchildren Aidan and Connor Herold (Vancouver), Jackson and Charlie Herold (Sudbury), and Cassidy, Andie, and Dax Miller (Toronto) The son of United Empire Loyalists, Fred and Estelle Shortts, `Cam' was born and raised in the village of Newburgh, ON . After high school he came to the Sudbury region to work in the mines in the mid 1930's where he met and married his `Margie'. When WWII broke out he immediately enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He excelled at his flying duties and was assigned to the elite 35th Squadron Pathfinder Force of the Royal Air Force, stationed at Gravely in England. He was awarded the DFC ­ Distinguished Flying Cross 'for great gallantry in the performance of numerous operations against the enemy and displaying the utmost fortitude, courage, and devotion to duty.' In 1946 after the war he became resort operator of 'Lift-the-Latch Lodge' on the French River. Over 23 years Cam and Marg created an internationally popular fishing lodge which by the mid 60's was rated tops in North America. From 1950-57 in the winter months as Manager of the Copper Cliff Curling Club he became known to curling enthusiasts as the best 'ice-maker' and had the honour of being asked to make 'curlers ice' when the Sudbury Arena hosted the Canadian Men's Brier Championship. Cam was ahead of his time with his concern for wildlife and water resources and was well known during the 1950's and 1960's for his volunteer conservation efforts with the Dept of Lands & Forests and Dept. of Fisheries. His lifelong personal passions of fishing and hunting took him to many of Canada's northern regions and much of the arctic. Throughout retirement he and his wife enjoyed travelling combined with skiing and their new passion for golf. A `self taught' man , Cam had an incredible mind and with his thirst for knowledge he became a voracious reader of a wide range of subjects. Everyone marvelled at his memory and his uncanny ability to recall detail. He could hold his own on any topic. A strong and determined individual he always said 'the most important thing is your word' and Cam Shortts was known as a 'man of his word.'. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for 61 years , a Mason, and a dedicated Shriner for 63 years. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations may be made to the Shriners' Children's Hospitals of Ontario or the Judy Herold Memorial Bursary c/o Northern Cancer Centre - in his memory. Respecting his wishes, there will be no visitation or service. He left the following: When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me I want no rites in a gloom filled room Why cry for a soul set free? Miss me a little, but not too long And not with your head bowed low Remember the love that we once shared Miss me, but let me go. For this is a journey that all must take And each must go it alone It's all part of the Master's plan A step on the road to home! When you are lonely and sick at heart Go to the friends we know And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds Miss me, but let me go. I borrowed this but it's how I feel. Love to all Cameron