It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Albert “Al” Loveridge, peacefully in Chilliwack General Hospital on Friday, October 17, 2008.
He is survived by Ann, his wife of 67years; by sons Lee (Colleen) of White Rock, Ken (Susan) of Prince George, and Don of Wellington, New Zealand; grandchildren Ryan (Emily) Loveridge of Boston, Lisa (Joe) Melanson of Surrey, Jessica (John) Garneau of Kelowna, David (Heidi) Loveridge of Victoria, Mark Loveridge of Victoria, Ian Loveridge of Wellington, New Zealand, and Helen Young-Loveridge of Hamilton, New Zealand; great-grandchildren Ashley Melanson, Rachel, Kate and Luke Gareau, and Maris Loveridge; and his brother Merwin Loveridge of Seattle. He was pre-deceased by his brother Brian of Chico, California.
Al was born July 7, 1920 in Victoria, B.C. to William and Hazel Loveridge of Horsefly B.C., descended on both sides from gold-miners. He grew up in the Cariboo, and graduated from high school in William’s Lake. As a teenager he began a lifelong association with the Boy Scouts of Canada, and in later years held senior Provincial and National offices in Scouting.
In the spring of 1940 Al volunteered for the Canadian Army, and served with the British Columbia Regiment and the Royal Canadian Engineers. He then transferred to the Royal Regiment of Canada, and fought with the 2nd Canadian Division in Normandy, Belgium, Holland and Germany in 1944-45.
After the war, Al joined the Permanent Force and returned to the Royal Canadian Engineers. Among many other postings, he served as the adjutant of 1 Field Engineer in 1953-56 and commanded 2 Field Squadron at Camp Gagetown in 1959-62, and served in Ottawa at Army Headquarters. Al spent a year in Indo-China as a team officer with the International Control Commission. In 1965, as a Lieutenant-Colonel, he became Chief Instructor of the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering (later the Canadian Forces School of Engineering), and was for a time Commandant of both the School and CFB Chilliwack.
Following his retirement from the Canadian Armed Forces in 1969, Al launched into a second career in education. He headed the experimental ‘NewStart’ programme in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and then was President of the Assiniboine Community College in Brandon, Manitoba, in 1971-85. Al and Ann spent two years in the Seychelles with the Canadian International Development Agency, where Al was Principal of the Seychelles Polytechnic, before their second retirement. They later moved back to Chilliwack to be closer to their many old Army friends and their family.
Al retired but did not slow down. He was an active Rotarian for many years, and was involved with many programmes in Chilliwack and district. He was also active in seniors organisations, including One Voice and the Federal
Superannuates National Association. Al gave his support to the Legion, Retired Sappers and Military Engineer Associations, and took a keen interest in preserving the history of the military in Vedder Crossing and Chilliwack, and British Colombia generally.
His other interests and activities are too numerous to mention, but included staunch support for Chilliwack’s hockey teams.
A service of remembrance is to be held at 2PM Friday, October 24th at Carman United Church, 7258 Vedder Road, Sardis. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Diabetes Society.
Online condolences can be left at www.mem.com