GRAHAM “GERRY” ROBERT HUNN, beloved husband of the late Darlene “Dene” Stella Hunn,  passed away at St. Michael’s Health Centre, Palliative Care Unit on Friday, January 26, 2018 at the age of 86 years.

He is survived by his children Richard (Dawn), Randy (Kathy), Kelley (John) Giesbrecht, son-in-law Ken Rogers, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, as well as his sister Glenda (Donald) Milne of Scarborough, ON.

Gerry was predeceased by his daughter Laurie Anne.

Gerry was born in Birmingham, England on December 19, 1931. After completing school, he worked briefly with the Birmingham City Education Dept. He  considered joining the RAF but instead, emigrated to Canada alone on a 7,000 ton cargo ship to St. John, NB. then rail coach class to Toronto; a trip of 15 days.

He arrived in Toronto on December 30, 1949 and on January 3, 1950, obtained a job at the Canadian Bank of Commerce where he worked until joining the RCAF as an officer cadet on June 19, 1950. After receiving his navigator wings and commission, he was assigned to 404 Sqn. Greenwood, NS and in 1953 met his wife to be, who had been transferred to the same Sqn. They were subsequently transferred to the Operational Training  Sqn, at RCAF Summerside, P.E.I., where they were married on May 1, 1954. On marriage, Dene had to relinquish her career, but from that point on throughout frequent duty absences (which were usually when children were ill) she supported Gerry completely as he served in Canada, U.S.A., Italy and the Netherlands in a career that saw him fly more than 4,000 hours. His initial RCAF flying was in long range maritime patrol in the North Atlantic and the Arctic, then on to all weather fighters and fighter bombers. His flying included 22 aircraft types with the USAF, U.S. Coast Guard, Italian Air Force, RAF and the German army. He had operational flight test, staff and command assignments; serving on land with the Canadian army and NATO, at sea with the RCN and RN and even a day submerged with the submarine USN Bergall. Military patrols were east to Ankara, Turkey and west to the Philippines with all of Western Europe, North America and the Pacific Island air bases in between.

Dene and Gerry had enjoyed Lethbridge because as senior air force officer in Southern Alberta, he came  to visit the Air Cadet Squadron. So, on retiring as a Lt. Colonel, this became home.

In Lethbridge, Gerry supported the Assumption Parish Knights of Columbus as a life member of the third and fourth degree, a chapter member of LUSI and a long-serving volunteer at the Chinook Regional Hospital in a variety  of departments (including Santa). He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion (Annual Tattoo Committee) and several charitable organizations.

He did everything thanks to the support and love of Dene to whom he was married for 62 years.

At Gerry’s request, cremation is entrusted to Cornerstone Funeral Home. His ashes will be placed in the Field of Honour at Mountain View Cemetery at a later date with his name on the Memorial Wall next to Dene.

Gerry appreciated the support of his brother Knights, especially Council 5726 and the friendship of they and their wives.

Rather than an Honour Guard, he would like you to sit and hold hands with your lady.

A Prayer Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB, on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 7:00 P.M.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. MARTHA’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 355 Columbia Blvd. West, Lethbridge, AB, on Friday, February 2, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Roque Pereira, Celebrant.

At Gerry’s request and in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory are gratefully accepted to THE WAR AMPS, 1 Maybrook Drive, Scarborough, ON., M1V 5K9, the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation, 2124 – 16 Avenue, Coaldale, AB., T1M 1M8 or to your local Parish.

 

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2018-01-26
• Location : Lethbridge, Alberta