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It is with profound sadness, the family of F/L (Retired) James Marshal McRae DFC CD announces his passing on April 9, 2024 at Veteran’s Place Yarmouth Nova Scotia. James was born in Huxley AB, Nov. 28 1917 to parents Gordon Stewart McRae and Gertrude Sarah Marshall. At 106, McRae was the last surviving WWII veteran to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Marshal, as he is known by his Alberta family, lived a life of dignity, purpose, and dedication to service. His heart always belonged to Huxley where he spent his early years working on the family farm until he followed his younger brother Earl to Brandon in 1942 where they both gained their wings as pilots with the RCAF. McRae was stationed with 162 squadron, based in Yarmouth and later Reykjavík. Their mission was to patrol and protect the Atlantic from German u-boats . It was on one of these patrols, the Canso he was co-piloting was shot down in the waters off Iceland by the submarine they had just damaged. Three of his colleagues succumbed to hypothermia and he was later awarded the DFC for his bravery. Sadly, his brother’s plane was shot down during the war, never to be located.
When the war ended in 1945, McRae returned to civilian life in Yarmouth with his wife Margaret Nickerson who he had met while stationed in Yarmouth. For a time he drove for MacKenzie Bus Lines from Yarmouth to Halifax, was a paid firefighter for the Yarmouth Fire Department, and finally with his military colleague, Gerald McKay, established the Yarmouth Flying School.
The call of the RCAF beckoned, and once more he enlisted, with postings at Torbay NL, Greenwood NS, Marville France, and Bagotville Quebec. While in Bagotville , he donned the blue beret of the UN Peacemaker while helping set up a control tower in the Congo. McRae retired in 1963 and once again returned to civilian life in Yarmouth. He sold McCain potato chips until securing a position with Canada Customs. He retired as Superintendent from this job at age 65.
Jim, as he is known in eastern Canada, was active, mentally and physically until just a few years ago, an avid golfer and curler. His team represented theNova Scotia senior men’s legion curling team who were inducted into the Yarmouth Sports Hall of Fame. Anything he set out to accomplish, he achieved with pride and perfection; building a house in Torbay, constructing furniture, rug hooking, knitting his own curling sweater. When he retired from Canada Customs in 1982, a whole new world of computers opened up- he taught himself MS DOS, and embraced every new advancement in technology as it came along! You may even find his facebook page and Travelling Man blog!
Jim was fiercely independent; his motto “let me do what I can do for as long as I can do it!” His greatest challenge in life was accepting help as his mental and physical faculties declined.
Jim was predeceased by his former wife Margaret Nickerson , his second wife Catherine Moores Hamm , parents, brothers Earl and George, daughter Marsha Fitt (Jim) and grandson Chris Amon.
He leaves behind to mourn, his daughter Susan (Frank) Amon, son James (Debby), step children Nancy Hamm Knox(Dale), Pat Morehouse (Leon), and John Hamm; grandchildren Paul, Michelle, Shannon, Michael, Jennah, Philip, and great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Veteran’s Place for their kindness and care.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home and Crematorium, Yarmouth. A celebration of his life will be held Monday, April 15, 2024 at 2 P.M. in Sweeny’s Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. A.D. “Bill” Newell officiating. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service. Following the celebration of life a reception will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 61 in Yarmouth. Donations may be made in his memory to your local Legion branch or to Yarmouth Legion Branch 61. There will be a Royal Canadian Legion service held at the Yarmouth airport during the June 21st Celebration. The time of the service will be announced once known. Interment will be at a later date in the Arthurvale cemetery near Huxley Alberta.
Fly high !
Memorial Service for
F/L James M cRae DFC CD
It was meant to be a unique reunion between Canso 11094 and the pilot who flew his last mission of WWII on it. Instead, there will be a Legion Memorial Service for McRae , 10:30 am June 21 at the Yarmouth Airport, followed by speakers, luncheon, and tours of “his” Canso. Let’s honour his service with the send-off he deserves.
Tuesday April 9th 2024
Death notice for the town of: YARMOUTH, Province: Nova Scotia
death notice James Marshal McRae Tuesday April 9th 2024
obituaries notice James Marshal McRae Tuesday April 9th 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of James Marshal McRae Tuesday April 9th 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
