Clarence Joseph Cardin

CARDIN, Clarence Joseph January 14, 1915 - December 12, 2015 Born on January 14, 1915 in Storthoakes, Saskatchewan to David and Eugenie. Clarence had seven brothers and sisters. During his early childhood his family moved to Wawota, SK where his father ran a livery stable. While living there he worked at various farms and gained his knowledge of horses which led him to horse logging in Northern Ontario and Quebec. His mother died when he was only eleven. He and a friend went to Yorkton, Saskatchewan to enlist in the Canadian Army at the beginning of World War II. After his basic training he was sent to England and was trained on Bofors anti-aircraft guns. While in England he met and married his wife Vera. He was again shipped overseas to be a participant in the invasion of Sicily and from there his third division travelled north through Italy where during the major battle of Ortona he was severely wounded by an enemy artillery shell during a night time bombardment. He was returned to England to recuperate and was then shipped back to Canada in 1944, where he came to Victoria to stay with other family members. His wife joined him several months later as a war bride from England. He had a brief stint in the shoe repair business from which he moved on to the then Normal School (Camosun College) as a custodian. He studied for and acquired his stationary engineering certificate. He worked in the heating plant at the Provincial Parliament buildings for several years and later he moved on to the heating plant at Wilkinson Road jail until he retired. Clarence liked curling and loved fishing and spent most of his spare time with his wife at a cabin on the beach at Otter Point near Sooke. He also enjoyed gardening and in general puttering around repairing and making things. He spent his last few years in a Long Term Care facility in Ladysmith where he suffered from dementia and alzheimer's. He was a kind man and a good father. He was liked by everyone who met him and the Staff at the Lodge on 4Th were very fond of him and called him "Poppa". He passed away on December 12 with family at his side just a few weeks short of his 101st birthday. He was predeceased by his wife Vera in November 2014. They were married for over 70 years and are now reunited. Clarence is survived by his two sons Trevor (Linda) and Gene (Lindy) and granddaughters Janine (Stephen) and Diane (Dave), as well as great-grandsons Matthew and Isaac. His sound advice and wonderful sense of humor throughout his life will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace Dad. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 10:00 AM at First Memorial Funeral Services at 4725 Falaise Drive in Saanich, BC. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of B.C.