Edward C. "Lucky" Likeness

Likeness, Edward C.
April 8, 1918 - Jan. 24, 2011

Edward C. "Lucky" Likeness, 92, of Nokomis, formerly of Ottawa, Canada died Jan. 24, 2011.
A Celebration of Life will be held a later date. Ewing Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
He is survived by his loving Life Partner, Joan Houston of Venice; son, Graham Likeness and wife Deborah Osborne of Connecticut.
Edward was born April 8, 1918 in Ottawa, Canada. He joined the Canadian Air Force in 1937 after high school. He won his pilot's wings and became a pilot instructor and later a pilot instructor developer in the W.W.II early years. After Fighter Operational Training in 1942 he went to England to a Canadian Spitfire Fighter Wing. Many of his flying missions were as defensive escort of American bombers into and out of Europe. The Wing never lost a bomber to German fighter planes. He flew ground attack missions against German freight trains and trucks. He also dive-bombed German "V" missile sites. At the end of the war he returned to Canada and resumed training new pilots. When the Russian threat became a concern he transferred to the newly forming North American Air Defense Force. In 1952 after a short tour in Korea, he went to the NATO forces in Europe. He joined the Allied Forces Central Europe Headquarters forming up at Fontainebleu, France. There he set up and managed the Air Tactical and Photo Reconnaissance Center. He returned to Canada in 1955 and attended the Air Force College. After graduation he became Commander of the Pilot Training School. Subsequently he became Director of Ground Training at Air Force Headquarters. In 1962 he attended the U.S. Air Force Air University, Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama. After graduating, he went to Europe and became Attache to the Canadian Embassies in Belgium, Luxemburg and Denmark. He returned to Canada in 1966 and took command of the Air Defense Base at North Bay, Ontario. He retired in 1969. Edward moved to Venice in 1977 and on to Calusa Lakes in 2000 where he and his partner Joan enjoy the golf course and the social amenities in the complex. In 1997 he was proud to have been granted U.S. Citizenship. Edward was a member of the Canadian Fighter Pilot's Association, RCAF Association, AARP, Freedom Boat Club, Meals on Wheels and Calusa Lakes Golf Club.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice, Inc., 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida 34238.