Cyril Albert Clayton

Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on June 24, 1941, he is survived by his wife Nancy (Reeves), daughters Linda, Caren, Lorraine and Doreen; grandchildren Maleetia, Kevin Jr., Nathan, Natalia, Anastasia, Patrice, and Kidson; great-grandchildren Dakelle, D'Shai, Katrevin, Zeke, Ezra, Kyra, Shea, and Cartier; and godson Jamie, along with Nancy's children Erica, Bo, and Chris, and their families. He was predeceased by his parents Edna Clayton (Gibson) and Joseph Chandler and his daughter Patricia.

Cy served his country in the Canadian Armed Forces from the age of 15 to compulsory retirement at 55. A dedicated service member, he was first posted to the Canadian Guards Depot at Camp Petawawa, and his career included time with the storied Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment of Canada, The Royal Canadian Regiment, the Canadian Forces Officer Candidate School at Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack and the Princess Louise Fusiliers. In recognition of his breadth of knowledge and expertise, he served internationally with the Ace Mobile Force in Norway, a United Nations Tour of Duty in Cyprus and was appointed the Regimental Sergeant-Major of the Canadian Contingent United Nations Middle East on the Golan Heights in Israel.

Throughout his career, Cy was recognized for his professionalism, leadership, and steadfast commitment to duty, and was the first African Canadian to be a Base Regimental Sergeant-Major of a major Armed Forces base. He proudly served as an executive member of the Maritimes Committee for Blacks in the Canadian Armed Forces out of the Maritimes Museum at Canadian Forces Base Halifax. After retirement, Cy continued serving by working with the Army Cadet Corps (Halifax Rifles) and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Army Museum at Citadel Hill. Most recently, Cy was recognized with The King Charles III Coronation Medal and by The Royal Canadian Regiment Association which renamed its branch to the CWO Cyril Clayton Branch.

Cy, known as a soldier's soldier, leaves behind a distinguished legacy, having mentored countless colleagues and inspired those who served alongside him.

A service to commemorate his life will be held in St. Brendan's Chapel, 2710 Admirals Way, Canadian Forces Base Halifax (Stadacona) on April 2, 2026 at 2 pm with a Repast to follow at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 152 (Spryfield Legion), 7 Sussex Street, Halifax, N.S. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests donations to your local Royal Canadian Legion or to other organizations that serve veterans such as the Last Post Fund or the Poppy Fund.