Saturday, July 4, 2026
I miss you, Dad—you and Mom are my "Everyday Heroes"! I could not have asked for a better Dad; you were always there for us with anything we needed, or just to listen, and sometimes to offer some firm advice. ;)
You were always supportive of us kids, and I was proud of how you shared our stories with others.I personally was proud to have you support two of my websites, often handing out business cards to anyone you met, and how you shared the legacy of the Canadian Film & Photo Unit, who photographed Canadians during WWII. I will always remember how veteran Charles Ross of Edmonton made a trip to Ottawa specifically to meet you and Mom. That was a very proud moment for me.
Looking back, I am so happy I had the chance to travel as we did as kids, even though it was a difficult day to say goodbye to friends whenever we were posted to another city or country.
Born at the Grace Hospital in Ottawa, I recall living in Eastview, Ottawa. I remember kindergarten in Boston, middle/high school at Fox Lane High in N.Y., Laurentian High School in Ottawa, and eventually taking Film at York University. All because you had a Minolta Zoom 8 movie camera and were an avid photographer, chronicling the family from our early years to today using your iPhone.
I always told friends when they asked what you did, "Dad was a spy for the Canadian Govt." But you were a cook too! Bringing home recipes you found wherever you went. One of the big hits was your "cous-cous," which continues to impress anyone who tries your recipe; new fans with every bite!
You also were instrumental in researching and documenting our family tree (https://gervaistree.ca/wc01/wc01_492.html), which I will continue to support and possibly donate to Ancestry.ca. You are going to be missed, but my memories will live on with the stories and photographic legacy of the family in pictures and home movies.
— Dale
