Obituary of John Ernest Aldridge

John Aldridge passed away at the Cedars Villa Extendicare on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at the age of 89 years. John was born in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, England, and immigrated to Canada in the fifties. He lived and worked in Calgary except for a year working in Ontario. He served in World War II with the Hertfordshire Yeomanry Regiment Royal Artillery in Italy, France, and North Africa. John fought at the renown battle of Monte Cassino in Italy at the beginning of 1944. He salvaged parts from wrecked tanks and artillery, and kept his unit marching forward. He was mentioned in dispatches for such service. He was a truly gifted mechanic all his life! He worked in the Kensington area and had his own shop in what is now Eau Clare. John loved Calgary and the countryside surrounding Bearspaw and the Bergen area near Sundre where John lived in retirement on a quarter section. John was a quiet, gentle man, well-liked and respected by those who knew him. He was predeceased by his life-long best friend Jean Weight in 2006. John is survived by and missed by his brother Arthur, nephews, nieces, and good friends in England; as well as by his “adoptive family” of Daunine Kemp, Sheila Iversen, and Trish Leckie all of Calgary and many neighbors and friends John met along the way. With respect to John’s wishes, no memorial service will be held. A family gathering to Celebrate John’s life will be held at a later date. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. We would like to thank Cedars Villa Extendicare for their good care and comfort to John in his last days. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Diabetes Association, #204, 2323 – 32nd Avenue N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 6Z3 Telephone: (403) 266-0620, ext. 112, www.diabetes.ca or to the Cochrane Humane Society (S.P.C.A.), 62 Griffin Industrial Pointe, Cochrane, AB, T4C 0A3. In living memory of John Aldridge, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE N.W. Telephone: (403) 241-0044.