Jack SIMISON

SIMISON, Jack
November 4, 1923 - October 17, 2014
Peacefully, at Perley Rideau Veteran's Health Centre, Ottawa, after some years of declining health. Survived by his loving wife Barbara (Babs) after 70 years of marriage; sons Greg, and Richard and his wife Gouhar; granddaughters Sarah and her husband Chad; and Bethany and her husband Jon; grandsons Alex and Adam. Jack was very proud to have served in Staghounds with the 12th Manitoba Dragoons, 18th Armoured Car Regiment, Canadian Armed Forces throughout WW2, and then in military communications for a further 37 years, attaining the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. His service included postings to CFB Kingston, Vimy Barracks, where he was an instructor at the Signals School, CFS Rivers, CFS Penhold. He was one of the first Signalmen to open up CFS Alert on Ellesmere Island, Nunavut in the late 1950s; and served at the end of his career at DND HQ Communications Command. In addition to his wartime medals, he was the recipient in 1994 from DND of a Special Services Medal in recognition of his service in support of NATO. Apart from his military career, Jack had numerous interests including astronomy and science generally, mathematics and photography. He very much cherished the Orkney Islands roots of his father and grandfathers before him, traced in his genealogical research back to the 1720s. His family will greatly miss him and cherish his memory. The family wishes to pay particular thanks to the very caring and professional staff at the Perley Veterans Residence, Gatineau 2 North Wing. Friends are invited to visit Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services, 280 Beechwood Avenue (East of Vanier Parkway) Ottawa, on Thursday, October 23, 2014 from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Friday, October 24, from 12 noon until time of a Funeral Service at 1 p.m. in the Sacred Space. Reception to follow. Donations can be made to the Military Communications and Electronics Museum, CFB Kingston, 95 Craftsman Blvd., Highway #2, in Kingston, Ontario, at https://www.canadahelps.org/ dn/14172.
"Old soldiers never die, they only fade away."