Alfred Laurence Shaw

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Al Shaw at 95 years, on Saturday December 16, in Halifax NS. He was a beloved husband and father of five (Bill, Joanne, Janet, Bob, Dorothy and their very special partners), grandfather of eleven, great-grandfather of twelve and is survived by Joan, his loving wife of 72 years.

Al was born in 1928 in Regina, Saskatchewan. Life was not easy during the depression, and his family faced tough times. Always the athlete, Al was known for being the fastest runner in the province in the 100-metre dash and an all-star handsome football player in high school. He was also a pool shark, and was caught playing hooky at the local pool hall more than once by his favourite PE teacher. Al played pool right up to his 95th year, and according to those he played with, his talent with a pool cue was as precise as ever.

Al wanted to join the Navy because of the dashing uniforms, but it was the Air Force that came calling, and as fate would have it, a life-long passion took off. Al became a fighter pilot on the Vampire, one of the first jet aircrafts in the RCAF. Over the years, he flew a total of sixteen different types of aircraft, including the Sabre, T33, F84 and F86 (RCAF) and DC3, Viscount, Vanguard, DC3, 8,9 and L-1011 (Trans-Canada Airlines/Air Canada). He became a DC9 instructor/check pilot and eventually Chief Pilot. His skill as an instructor and pilot earned him the position of Chief Pilot, L-1011, working the simulator and passing his expertise on to others. During this time, he inherited responsibility for several major projects within Air Canada, including rebuilding and re-establishing Air Lanka, recruiting and training aircrew, overseeing the acquisition, acceptance, test, and delivery of six Lockheed L-1011-500 aircraft and preparing a video outlying cultural differences between the west and south Asia. As a dear colleague said, “Al was responsible for all this, which was instrumental in making us become the international airline that we are today.” He was chosen to fly inaugural flights to new Air Canada destinations, Hawaii and India, before his retirement.

After entering the Air Force, Al met the love of his life on a blind date in Chatham NB. One, two, three, four and then oops, five children completed the family. Years later, losing his eldest son, Bill, was his greatest sadness.

Al loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren deeply. He and Joan were a solid example of unwavering unity, mutual love, admiration and humour that his loved ones aspired to. They taught the importance of family through the many gatherings hosted at cottages and backyard festivities. In cottage country, this included sailing adventures, fishing excursions, and epic scavenger hunts followed by family laughs, feasts and card games. In Brampton, it meant big rotisserie barbeques with Al hovering intently while basting to perfection, coordinated with badminton tournaments for the adults and diving-board contests, judged by Al, for the grandkids.

Al loved to sit around the table after a delicious meal, telling stories, jokes, and sharing his wisdom. But he never dominated the conversation, preferring instead to lead by both talking and listening. In this world of excessive noise, he once explained, being a listener was a lost art and something people needed to do more of. Listening with compassion drew many into his confidence, and he was admired and respected for this by his dear friends and those he mentored and supported.

Al had a soft spot for animals, especially dogs and the two cats that adopted him. He also loved babies and at times to our embarrassment, could be found riveted, making googly eyes and the funniest of faces when he encountered them. His caring heart also extended to the community. Wanting to give back after he retired, Al tirelessly gave time to many causes, volunteering for Wheels on Meals and driving cancer patients to hospitals in Toronto for years.

Al had many passions that sustained and nourished him through his retirement. The Prairie blood in his veins meant that he was a farmer at heart. Nurturing two large vegetable gardens and a variety of fruit trees provided an abundance of produce, and he proudly shared his bounty by leaving bags full of giant zucchinis, curvy cucumbers (his favourite) and the juiciest tomatoes one could imagine (which he was allergic to but loved to grow) on the doorknobs of our neighbours. When the house on Elizabeth Street was sold, Al remarked on the passage of time by reminiscing that all the big, beautiful, mature trees scattered on and behind the backyard, were planted as young saplings by him.

Another passion was fishing. Al loved the west coast and he and Joan began annual trips with their closest friends, waking before dawn and trudging to their favourite fishing holes in the rain forest of Haida Gwaii. Years later, Al would venture west again for many years, this time with his sons, son-in-law, and family friend, to throw their lines in the mighty Fraser River. The salmon and steelhead caught on all these trips were a source of great pride, but the comradery and memories made were priceless.

Al was a very funny man who delivered jokes and stories like a seasoned comedian. So much so, that he was persistently sought after to emcee his colleague’s retirement parties. The parties we were told, were wickedly legendary. As Al aged, he never lost this wonderful sense of humour. He always knew how to make someone laugh and put a smile on their face.

Leaving his loving friends and beloved garden in Brampton after over 50 years was not easy for Al, but he made the move to Nova Scotia with grace, dignity and pragmatism, knowing that it was time for change. During their time together at Parkland, his adoration, unwavering loyalty and deep care for Joan remained steadfast. If he sensed that she was unwell, he would hold vigil by pulling up a chair beside her, holding her hand. He watched to make sure she was comfortable, that she had enough on her plate, that she was warm, that she was happy.

Dad’s sweet and generous spirit shone right through to our last conversation with him when he once again told us that he and mom were very happy, and that they had just finished practicing their dance steps (an on-going joke). Then, as usual, he asked about us. Were we happy? Because for him, the most important thing was that the people he loved, found happiness.

Dad, please know that because of the life you and mom made for us, because of the unconditional love, stability and safety you provided, and because of the strong moral compass you laid, we are happy indeed. We feel profoundly fortunate and appreciative to have had you in our lives for these many years. Rest in peace dad, spread your wings and fly again. Play cribbage and pool with your loved ones, with a rum and coke in hand. Tell stories that bring smiles and tend your garden to your heart’s content. Sprinkle all of it with an abundance of fishing trips in meandering rivers with animals running joyfully by your side. And may you continue practicing your dance steps to eternity. For you deserve every one of those beautiful things.

Missing you, loving you and remembering you. You are in our hearts forever and always.

Your loving family,

XOXO

**A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Please support your local Food Bank or Animal Shelter in memory of Al.**