Lawson C. White
1933-2022
White,
Lawson C. “Adj” “Chalky” (89)
passed away peacefully in the Valley Hospice, Kentville, Nova Scotia
on May 12, 2022.
Lawson
lived a full and adventurous life. Born in Walmley, Warwickshire,
England on April 21, 1933, he was the younger son of Frank and Ethel
(Parsons) White. His early years were impacted by World War II, and he
was one of many British children who were evacuated to the countryside
to avoid the Birmingham Blitz. It was perhaps his experience of being
strafed by a German fighter pilot while walking home from school one
day that peaked his lifelong curiosity and love of airplanes! Lawson
loved animals and worked on a farm after leaving school at 16. He was
notorious for being the only person who could charm Timmy, a
particularly cranky bull! At the age of 19, he joined the Royal Air
Force and was sent overseas on a NATO exchange mission to Calgary for
his flight training. His love for flying was matched only by his
talent as a pilot and he became an expert on many aircraft including
the English Electric Canberra, the De Havilland Vampire, and the
Gloster Meteor. He was later selected to take his flight instructor
training at the Central Flying School at RAF Little Rissington. At the
age of 23, he was a QFI (Qualified Flight Instructor), and as one of
the top of his class, was able to select his preferred posting at St.
Andrews University Air Squadron, training students as prospective
pilots on DeHavilland Chipmunks and the N.A. Harvard Mk.II –
a combat trainer known as ‘the pilot
maker’.
In
1958, Lawson joined the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC)
and flew the DeHavilland Comet 4, Boeing Stratocruisers and 707s on
flights all around the world. He was most proud of his ability to land
a plane so softly that passengers didn’t feel the wheels
touch down! Even when he was no longer flying, he continued simulator
training on Boeing 747 and 767, and McDonnell Douglas DC-8 and DC-9,
and enjoyed keeping up with technical advancements in the aviation
industry. Lawson’s career with BOAC, combined with his sense
of adventure, led to incredible opportunities for him and his family
that often presented themselves with little notice – the
sudden up-sticks to Tokyo with two children under four and a wife
pregnant with a third comes to mind! In addition to time living in
Japan and Australia, there were many trips to far-off places, and he
and Norma regularly hosted airline friends from all over the
world.
A
health issue meant a career change and subsequent move from England to
Montreal, Quebec, where Lawson was the Director of Flight Ops. for the
International Air Transport Association (IATA) until his retirement.
Never one to sit still, Lawson eschewed retirement living and went
back to school, taking a two-year professional photography course at
Dawson College in Montreal. One year, he very bravely took on the role
of photographer for pictures with Santa at a local mall – a
job that he joked was often more high-pressure than flying. His life
adventure continued with a move to Nova Scotia in December 2021.
Lawson loved his new home which gave him a bird’s eye view
of the happenings in the neigbourhood and enjoyed waving to everyone
passing by.
Lawson
was fortunate to share his many adventures with Norma, his wife and
‘love of my life’. He often talked about knowing
right away that she was the one for him, and he was single-minded in
his focus on winning her heart. A boxing day dance at which he
presented her with nylons brought home from Canada and a joyride
during which he looped the loop with her as co-pilot were two examples
of his attempts! They were married shortly thereafter, remained
besotted and entirely devoted to each other, and were celebrating 67
years of marriage in 2022.
While
Norma and flying were the two greatest loves of his life, Lawson had
many interests, including golf, bridge, curling, fishing, and music.
Golf in particular was a great favourite. He reminisced recently on
flying Arnold Palmer back to the U.S from the U.K. after The Open, and
Lawson fondly remembered playing at St. Andrews, Capilano, and Pebble
Beach. Lawson was Captain at Cowansville Golf Club from 1981-1984 and
treasured the friendships he made on the course. He also enjoyed many
‘friendly blood’ matches with his brother, Peter,
when he visited the U.K. Lawson loved the challenge of
bridge and was part of the Bowmore Four bridge group for 10 years
playing a weekly game which was always followed by a scotch and much
hilarity. Animals were important to Lawson, in particular his beloved
Labrador retrievers who were his devoted companions over the
years.
Lawson
was gregarious and social and loved spending time with his family and
many friends. He cared deeply about giving his children opportunity to
succeed in life and found great pride in their achievements. He also
enjoyed celebrating the little things in life with a glass of bubbly
or a measure of scotch and lived life for the moment. The millions of
little moments made a lifetime of wonderful memories that his family
will cherish. He is survived by his darling wife, Norma; his children,
Keith (Usha), Deborah (Richard) and David (Nathalie), his
grandchildren, Carolyn, Ellen (Rob) and Edgar (Tasha); and his brother
Peter (Joy) as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased
by his parents, and his sister, ‘Diz’ Pauline
Jenns.
Special
thanks and appreciation to the staff of the Valley Hospice who
provided such loving care to both Lawson and Norma during his final
days. Their care has made our family’s loss somewhat easier
to bear.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service
will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 20, 2022 in the White Family
Funeral Home, Kentville, Nova Scotia. For those unable to attend, a
video webcast of the service will be available at that time. In lieu
of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Valley Hospice
Foundation. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White
Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. Online
condolences, inquires and to view the webcast, please
visit: www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Lawson C White 19332022..
Death notice for the town of: Kentville, Province: Nova Scotia