Obituary of Evelyn Commander

After a full life devoted to the Royal Canadian Navy, General Motors of Canada, SAIT, the Anglican Church and his family, Bill passed away from cancer on Sunday December 2, 2007 at the age of 70 years. His loving family surrounded him as he passed on to God’s care. Bill was born on September 13, 1937 in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, of Canadian parents. The family immigrated to Canada in 1942. Throughout Bill’s life they moved to Toronto, Sarnia and Windsor, ON. His early fascination with airplanes led to him earning his pilot’s wings in high school. He then joined the Royal Canadian Navy’s UNTD program when he began his studies in Engineering Physics at Dalhousie University. His Naval career began with the Fleet Air Arm. The Navy sent him to the Royal Naval Engineering Academy in Portsmouth, England to study for his Certificate of Competency in Aeronautical Engineering. With these qualifications he served as Test Pilot/Engineer at HMCS Shearwater. After three years, he moved into positions with the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve, and joined General Motors of Canada. As Bill was transferred to cities across Canada, he served the Navy at RCSCC Swiftsure in Brandon, MB and HMCS Chippawa in Winnipeg, MB. In Calgary, Bill served as Commanding Officer at HMCS Tecumseh. During the time of the great fire in 1981 that destroyed the main building, his leadership was instrumental to its reconstruction. After leaving his Command, he served NATO as Canadian Delegate on the Legal Commission of the International Confederation of Reserve Officers in Brussels, 1984 to 1987. Bill also served his community as President of the Naval Veterans Association for many years. Bill was with General Motors of Canada from 1963 to 1990. In his career he was moved to Moncton, NB, Oshawa, ON, Winnipeg and Brandon, MB and Calgary, AB. When Bill retired, he was the Administration Manager for the Western Region of Canada. A new career followed where Bill became Program Coordinator of Government Funded and Earned Revenue Programs at SAIT. Bill is survived by his loving wife Marvel, of twenty-three years; sons Bill (Tracey Repka), Bruce (Sharon); his daughter Pam (Jason) Zaran; five grandchildren, Lindsey, Jessie, and Chelsea Evelyn; Faith and Quinn Zaran; the mother of his children Lois Evelyn as well as his brother Geoff (Wendy). His adored cat Zoë added a special dimension to his life, especially during his illness. Funeral Services will be held at Holy Cross Anglican Church (2828 – 19th Street N.W.) on Friday, December 7, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Naval Museum, The Military Museums of Alberta, 1820 – 24 Street SW, Calgary, AB T2T 0G6 In living memory of Bill Evelyn, 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.