Wednesday, December 28, 2016
On this day I would like to take a minute to honour and remember my uncle, Wilfred Henry Mann. Today he will be laid to rest in Brockville, Ontario after having lived a full and honourable life of 96 years. He was one of my mother's older brothers - she had 6 older brothers and 3 older sisters. My Uncle Wilf proudly served in WWII with the Royal Montreal Regiment (RMR) from 1939 to the end of the war and was a part of the liberation of Holland. He survived to come home and even brought with him a British war bride, our lovely Auntie Lily. They had three children and numerous grandchildren together. Our family is large but has remained close, and my Uncle Wilf's presence was always a key element in our family gatherings. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend and soldier. He was an instrumental element in the creation of the RMR museum and remained a connected and active member, even participating in a badging ceremony for new soldiers this year.
I didn't grow up with the knowledge of his military service nor of the other members of my family's who served in that War. They did not speak about it - it was the way of that time and of that generation. I always admired how my older relatives carried themselves as upstanding, kind, funny, noble, loving, respectful and classy men and women. They provided shining examples for me of what it meant to be an adult, and in later years, a soldier. My own military experiences have helped me revere and appreciate the sacrifices my Uncle Wilf, and the other members of my family, made for all of us. I want to thank you Uncle Wilf, for everything that you were, did, and sacrificed, every laugh, act of love and kindness that you gave us. You are loved and will be remembered.
Chrissy and family
