William "Bill" George Cutress

When the Second World War broke out in 1940, Bill joined the Royal Canadian Navy, serving on minesweepers in the Atlantic Ocean. The minesweepers escorted merchant ships travelling between Canada and Britain. When VE Day was declared, Bill was mid-Atlantic on the HMCS Petrolia. He continued his service until VJ Day, 3 months later.

After the war, Bill moved to Burnaby with his wife, Molly (McGibbon) and joined the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 83. They raised their 4 children in Burnaby until the marriage dissolved in 1969. He eventually moved to Langley with his second wife (Molly Gautrey) and transferred to the Aldergrove Legion Branch 265.

He was very active in the Legion, and it was a big part of his life. Patriotic and community minded, he was well respected for his energy and devotion to making things better wherever he could. He was also a member of the Chiefs and Petty Officers, the Oldsmobile Club, and the Vancouver Maritime Museum.

Bill enjoyed travelling and going on cruises. A fun-loving, sociable man, he lived life well and made many friends over his many years.

On May 8, 2020, Bill celebrated his 100th birthday. He was living at Harrison Landing Assisted Living, which was locked down due to Covid19. The accommodating staff there brought Bill out onto a lower floor balcony so that he was able to hear the good wishes from a small group of socially distancing friends and family outside. He also received his 75 year membership pin from Aldergrove Legion members.

On May 31, 2020, Bill was taken by ambulance to Langley Hospital, where he passed away on July 2, 2020.

We will miss him terribly.

Survived and sadly missed by daughters Maureen Seesahai, Linda Dunaway, and Louise Steemers (Terry Viau), son Bill (Evonne) and stepdaughters Joan Rodgers (Daryl Sundstrom) and Cathy Lauridsen (Egon), 5 granddaughters, one grandson, and eight great grandchildren.

Bill also leaves behind his nephews Chris Cutress (Charlotte), Hank Cutress, Norman Cutress and niece Sharon Malmston (John), and his dear friend Stella Bottomley.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Langley Hospital for the care and comfort they provided during his last weeks and to Comfort Keepers for looking after him before the Covid lock down. Our thanks go out, too, to the staff/friends at Harrison Landing who did their best to help him during a very difficult time of lock-down.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to the Aldergrove Legion Branch 265, Box 145, Aldergrove, B.C., V4W 2T7.

A Celebration of Life will be planned and announced at a later date.