Thomas Whitefield - Stoker 1st Class
Thomas Whitefield was born in Cobourg, Ontario February 9, 1925. He went to school in Cobourg and then moved to Kingston, where he attended High School. Leaving school he worked for the Kingston Flying Club, where he learned to fly, later moving to Oshawa to join the training school for RCAF pilots. Tom joined the navy in 1943 at HMCS York (Toronto) and then went to HMCS Cornwallis for training. Following training at Cornwallis, Tom was assigned to HMCS Protector I and II at Sydney, Nova Scotia, finally joining the Nene in Dartmouth. N.S. In 1944, Tom married Betty Reid of Toronto, whom he had courted before joining the navy. Betty worked for the Bank of Nova Scotia and her superior, Paul Coombs, later became a Lieutenant aboard the Nene. Betty and Tom have two children, Linda and Larry, and three grandchildren Lee-Anne, Melissa and Steven. After the war Tom became an auto mechanic, then assistant Service Manager at Mount Pleasant Motors, where he worked for 16 years. He then became Service Manager at Lesley Motors in Toronto, retiring in 1987 after 25 years service. Tom and Betty reside in Scarborough, travel and enjoy life.

Obituary: Thomas (Tom) Arnott Whitefield -- Surrounded by his loving family passed peacefully on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 at Lakeridge Health - Oshawa. Beloved husband of Elizabeth (pet name Fluff) for 61 years. Loving father of Linda, Larry and Bonnie. Cherished grandfather of Lee-Anne, Melissa, Steven and great-grandfather of Braden, Keenan and Emma. Dear brother of George, Rob, Bill, John, David, Raymond and the late Sam and Walter. Tom will be fondly remembered by his nieces, nephews, family and friends. He proudly served his country on the HMCS Nene. A special thanks to the Veterans Association for their support. Friends may visit at OSHAWA FUNERAL SERVICE "Thornton Chapel", 847 King St. West (905-721-1234) on Thursday, December 22nd, from 6 - 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held in the chapel on Friday, December 23rd at 1:00 p.m. Interment Thornton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Salvation Army.

[Sam Forsythe visited Tom's family, on behalf of the Nene Family.]