Glendon « Glen »‘s Obituary
KELLEY, Glendon E. “Glen” (Major ret.) ~ Age 81, Aylesford, Kings Co., passed away on Saturday, February 2nd, 2019, at home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous eight year battle with COPD. His family acknowledges and is forever thankful that Glen fought daily for each breath to stay a little bit longer on earth with them. Glen was born in 1937 in Berwick, Kings Co.. to the late Elsie and Lorimer Kelley. He is survived by the love of his life, best friend and wife for 61 years, Joan; daughter, Kim Hendrickson, Halifax; son, Steven (Jill), Halifax; son, Patrick (Joanne), Hantsport; and grandchildren, all of whom he was immensely proud of and loved dearly, Leah Tarlao, Chad Hendrickson, Liam Kelley, Ben Kelley, Ryan Kelley and Rebecca Kelley. He was predeceased by his parents, Elsie and Lorimer; and brother, Randall. Glen enlisted in the RCAF as a pilot in 1955 and proudly served his country for 36 years. Highlights of his military career were tours as a flight instructor, where he attained the highest category possible, tours at 426 Sqn (on North Star aircraft), where he participated in United Nations operations in Africa, both in Gaza and the Belgian Congo, Central Experimental and Proving Establishment and a secondment from the Air Force to the Flight Research Center at the National Aeronautical Establishment, both the latter postings involving the flight testing of aircraft and aircraft components. After turning down offers for employment in the civilian sector, he was then posted to 436 Sqn on C-130’s in Ottawa. He was then subsequently selected for an exchange position on C-130’s with the United States Air Force at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina achieving the rare distinction for a Canadian of being qualified as a Berlin Corridor check pilot. He also participated in three (three month each) overseas deployments with the USAF. On return to Canada he completed a tour at the Recruiting Center in Halifax before being posted to 405 Sqn in Greenwood on Argus aircraft. After conversion to the Aurora, he completed his regular force career in 1984 at Maritime Proving and Evaluation Unit in Greenwood as the Unit Operations Officer, having spent 27 of 30 years in a cockpit, amassing nearly 11,000 accident free pilot hours on 31 different types of aircraft and visited over 60 countries around the world. He was then employed in the Reserves as a Flight Commander of the Reserve Unit at Greenwood and later as an Air Cadet Liaison Officer and as the Regional Cadet Air Operations Officer for the Atlantic region, retiring for good in 1991. During his lifetime, Glen was active with youth organizations as a little league baseball coach, with the Boy Scouts, as a Group Committee Chairman, and with the Air Cadets. He was an avid hunter, sport (fly) fisherman, gardener, an outdoor enthusiast and was a keen reader of history and historical novels. He enjoyed golfing, gourmet cooking, writing poetry, oil painting, winters with Joan at their home in Florida and always, time with family and friends at his “little bit of heaven” at the cottage in Morden on his beloved Bay of Fundy. Cremation has taken place and at Glen’s request, there will be no visitation and no memorial service. Interment will be in the Aylesford Union Cemetery at a later date. Donations in Glen’s memory may be made to The War Amps or to Aylesford United Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main Street, toll free 1-855-825-3448. On-line guest book may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com
Glen has now slipped the surly bonds of earth and is dancing the skies on laughter-silvered wings.
THE ROAD TO THE END
I reached back into the mountain
And I pulled my soul from there.
And I sent it to the Valley
To roam free without a care.
To search the streams and meadows
In a most important quest.
To find the contentment needed
For that long eternal rest.
For my black stone doth await me
So that when I go beneath the sod.
It will be the end of all my torment
Because I’ll then be with my “God”.
Written by: Glen Kelley, January 02, 2018
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Glendon Glen E Kelley October 26 1937 February 02 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: Middleton, Province: Nova Scotia