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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
BOIVIN, Neil Roland - It is with sorrow that we advise of the peaceful passing of our Dad on April 5, 2016 at the age of 85. Born on January 6, 1931, in Bonfield, Ontario, he attended Royal Military College Kingston, Royal Roads Military College, and Greenwich Royal Naval College before joining active service as a RCN submariner. He had a long and distinguished career which took the family throughout the world, with foreign postings in the UK, Singapore, Australia, and Brussels where he served as Senior Staff Officer SACLANTREPEUR NATO HQ. The majority of his career was spent at sea on both coasts, where he earned the privilege of commanding three Canadian Naval destroyers, HMCS Ottawa, HMCS Skeena, and HMCS Yukon. He was extremely proud to have had the opportunity to be the inaugural Commanding Officer of the Navy's first bilingual ship HMCS Ottawa. After 36 years of loyal and exemplary service he retired from the regular Navy in 1986 as the Chief of Staff (Readiness) Maritime Pacific Command. Intelligent, energetic and mischievous, Dad lived life to the fullest especially enjoying camping, fishing and skiing. Dad volunteered countless hours teaching disabled children swimming with the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children's Health. He logged many long walks with his faithful canine companions Yukon, Jake, and Buddy. He is survived by his children, Janice (Murray), Michael (Bonnie), and Gerry (Sally), grandchildren Chris (Jennifer), Tyler (Hiromi), Andrew, and Arielle, great-grandchildren Ayanna, Alex, Abigail, Ethan, Maddox and Emmett, brothers Dick, Pat, and Ben and sister Ann. He was predeceased by his true love and wife Audrey, and his brother Danny. The family would like to sincerely thank the staff on the Aston Unit at Selkirk Place Assisted Living for the wonderful care and attention Dad received in the last two and a half years of his life. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Society or a charity of your choice. Neil was a true family man and friend to many. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. A Celebration of Life is being planned for early August. "Fair Winds and Following Seas" (The Times Colonist 09 Apr 2016)
Ships served in: HMS/m THULE - Served in THULE Jun 1954 - Jul 1954 as a SLt HMS/m ANDREW - Served in ANDREW Mar 1955 - May 1959 as 3rd, 4th & XO HMS/m TELEMACHUS - Served in TELEMACHUS May 1959 - Jan 1960 as XO while she was assigned to the RAN HMS/m SENTINEL - Served in SENTINEL Jan 1960 - Aug 1961 as XO HM REFITTING GROUP PORTSMOUTH - Served in HM REFITTING GROUP Sep 1963 - Oct 1963 as a LCdr HMS/m ODIN - Served in ODIN Oct 1963 - Mar 1964 as a XO HMCS MARGAREE - Served in MARGAREE in 1969 as XO HMCS OTTAWA - 10th Commanding Officer HMCS SKEENA - 13th Commanding Officer HMCS YUKON - 10th Commanding Officer
(below) Article on HMS TELEMACHUS that mentions 1st Lt Neil Boivin
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