John Burleigh Carling

It is with heavy hearts that we, the crew, of the good ship Carling, report that our beloved Skipper, Cmdr. John Burleigh Carling (age 102) “crossed the bar” on July 28th, 2026. Born in Ottawa, Ont., Feb. 26, 1924, the only son of the late Lewis B. Carling and the late Mary Louise Chapleau.

Dad commenced active duty in the Canadian Navy in 1943 at the rank of Seaman, retiring as a Commander 32 years later.

He served in the Battle of the Atlantic on mid-ocean convoy escort duty from 1944 to 1945, with the British Royal Navy in the Asia-Pacific and United Kingdom theatres after the war from 1946 to 1947, and completed eighteen consecutive months of duty in combat zones aboard three ships during the Korean War from 1952 to 1953.

His next appointment was as Aide to the Naval Board of Canada and as Personal Aide to the Chief of the Naval Staff at Naval Service Headquarters, Ottawa, from 1954 to 1955. He subsequently served as Naval Strategic and Tactical Command and Control Communications Plans Officer at NATO Headquarters, Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT), Norfolk, Virginia, from 1963 to 1966. Between these appointments, he commanded three warships during the Cold War, serving as Commanding Officer from 1956 to 1957, 1959 to 1960, and 1966 to 1967.

Following his retirement, he worked at National Sea Products, training Masters and Mates for the company’s large stern trawlers from 1974 to 1976. He then served as Business Administrator at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and Sacred Heart School in Halifax from 1977 to 1989.

In his spare time, Dad earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Saint Mary’s University in 1984, followed by a Master of Arts in Atlantic Canada Studies and Sociology in 1993.

He is survived by his daughter, Robin, of Chester, NS; his son Adam (Christine), of Westlock, AB; and his son Simon, of Halifax, NS. He also leaves his grandchildren, Hannah, Wyatt, Jacob, and Joseph, and his step-granddaughters, Miranda and Shandel.

He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, the former Joan C. Pidgeon of Victoria, BC; his infant daughter, Heather; and his sisters, Sally Hopkins of Ottawa, ON, and Dierdre Firth of Toronto, ON.

The family would like to thank the incredible team on the 5th Floor, Garrison East, at Camp Hill for their exceptional care during Dad’s brief stay, as well as Dr. Heather MacKinnon and Dr. Maria Lang for their stewardship along the way.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

Donations in Dad’s memory may be made to the charity of your choice. Dad was a long-time supporter of Feed Nova Scotia.

Departure ~ Final sailing orders having been received. A ship of life has taken departure. For some unknown destination. Beyond the line dividing sea from sky. Where those having gone before may be. And where those left behind may join. When their final deployment ends. (Author- John B. Carling)