Obituary of PICKARD – Herbert M.

August 9, 1916 – May 2, 2010 Herbert M. Pickard died Sunday, May 2, 2010 of old age at almost 94 years, 12 years after his wife Hope (Rutherford). He is survived by his sister Joan Voorheis of London Ontario, and his two daughters, Hope Smith (Jim) of Calgary and Rebecca Chidley (Peter Parker) of Vancouver. He also leaves behind his four beloved grandchildren, Lauren Chidley-Steinart (Jeremy Steinart), Christopher Chidley and Adam and Eric Smith, his great granddaughter, Chloe Chidley-Steinart, and his eight nieces and nephews. Born in Winnipeg in 1916, Herb grew up there, becoming a competent horseman and a talented golfer; he was a member of the Manitoba Willingdon Cup team for four years. A brilliant scholar, he graduated from the University of Manitoba Law School in 1940 and joined the venerable Winnipeg law firm Aikins MacAulay, but soon decided to join the RCNVR. After an officers’ training course at Royal Roads, where he came first in his class, Lieut. Pickard (“Pick”) was posted to England to the fleet of small speedy gun-boats known as ‘dog-boats’. There he met the Three Musketeers, brave and devilish lads from Vancouver: Corny Burke, Tommy Ladner, and Doug Maitland, with whom he spent his war years on the Mediterranean. Their daring escapades and heroic pursuits were documented in the books “Flag 4”, “Gunboat 658” and “The Champagne Navy”. Herb was mentioned in dispatches: “For outstanding courage, leadership and skill in Light Coastal Craft in many daring attacks on enemy shipping in enemy waters”. The four remained fast friends for the rest of their lives; he was the last survivor. Not long after returning to Aikins MacAulay, he was lured into the CPR Law Department by friend and former Winnipegger Ian D. Sinclair, and he spent the rest of his career in increasingly senior executive positions with the parent company, CP Limited, including Chairman of Marathon Realty, during the era of the legendary N.R. Crump, and then with pals Ian Sinclair and F.S. Burbidge, transferring to Calgary, back to Winnipeg and back to Calgary again, although much of his time was spent at head office in Montreal. He loved to get away to the cottage at Lake of the Woods, Ontario, and spent several months a year there after retirement in 1977 until Hope died in 1998. One of his favorite activities was to take the grandchildren out in his boat. His last years became increasingly challenging as he was diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson’s disease in 2007, but the staff at the Beverly Glenmore took kind and gentle care of Herb over the past two years, for which the family is most grateful. Flowers are gratefully declined, but if you would like to make a donation to CARE Canada, the Salvation Army, the Naval Museum of Calgary, or a charity of your choice in Herb’s memory, we would be most appreciative. Please send expressions of sympathy c/o 3839 10th St. SW, Calgary, AB T2T 3J2. A Memorial Service will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church chapel (1009 – 15 Avenue S.W.) on Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. Graveside Service to follow at a later date in Winnipeg. “End of message,” as Dad would say. Arrangements in care of McInnis & Holloway Funeral Home (5008 Elbow Drive S.W., Calgary, AB T2S 2L5) Telephone: 403-243-8200. www.mcinnisandholloway.com.