Gordon Grant SUTHERLAND

SUTHERLAND, Gordon Grant
D.F.M., D.F.C.
Father, husband, accomplished athlete and awarded Canadian war hero, Gordon (Grant) Sutherland passed away peacefully January 3, 2002 in Abbotsford B.C. at the age of 85. Born Sept. 14, 1916 in Calgary, Alberta, Grant Sutherland was educated at St. John's Ravenscourt Boys School in Winnipeg. During the 1930s, he played professional hockey in the United States, as well as fullback for the Edmonton Eskimos Football Team. Thereafter he began a lifelong career in the oil business in Western Canada, as well as, earned his private pilot's license. When the war erupted in 1939, he volunteered for the Royal Air Force and was immediately trained as a bomber pilot. As did most of the Canadians who fought with distinction and valour in World War II, Grant spoke little about his bravery in action. His Distinguished Flying Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross testify to his proficiency and tenaciousness as a pilot. Among Grant's 59 bomber missions over North Africa and Europe were several night bombing runs over Berlin. On one mission, his Lancaster was caught in the anti-aircraft searchlights, often called the 'kiss of death' by bomber pilots. The aircraft sustained 70 bullet holes as Flight Lieutenant Sutherland took evasive action. He managed to negotiate his way back to England to a safe belly landing. After his tours of duty in 1944, Grant Sutherland married Betty Rae Sutherland of Brandon, Manitoba and became an RCAF flight instructor in Abbotsford. Once the war ended he returned to a career in the oil business. Betty and Grant had three children: daughters Patti Robertson (James); Cheryl Raabe (Elmer) and son Neil Grant Sutherland (Darcy). After a difficult battle with cancer and 44 years of devoted marriage, Betty passed away. In 1987, Grant married Elleen Eley of Hamilton and enjoyed 14 years of marriage as well as the addition of family members Dianne Marasco (Gordon) and Cathy Warry (Brian) and their extended families. Grant Sutherland is survived by his wife Elleen, three children, and 6 grandchildren. A man of humour, hard work loyalty and bravery, he will be missed by his family, his many friends and his country. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Heart & Stroke Foundation.