Percy Waddy

WWII veteran, RCAF pilot, RAF Squadron Leader, dairy farmer, lumberman

 

Percy Bagenal Waddy, 92, died March 21, 2015 at the Moncton Hospital. Born in Nightingale, Alberta on October 5, 1922, he was youngest of six children born to the late Julia Carroll and Percy Harvey Waddy.

His military service was a formative experience in his life. Like many men of his generation, his wildest dream was to fly. He joined the RCAF in 1941, which enabled him to serve his country while living his dream of being a pilot. By the age of 22, he had earned his wings, spent 18 months as a flight instructor for the Commonwealth Air Training Plan, captained a B-24 Liberator in RAF Squadron 160 in Ceylon, attained the rank of Squadron Leader, and served as Flight Commander of RAF Squadron 203.

While a flight instructor in Calgary, his brother Charlie introduced him to Jean Colpitts, who became his best friend, wife and business partner. They married in 1947 and had 57 wonderful years together. He said that marrying Jean and becoming a pilot were the two best things in his life.

After the war, Percy had several careers—pilot with Trans-Canada Airlines, dairy farmer, and lumberman. He was an innovative farmer, operating the first bulk milk truck in New Brunswick, building the first herringbone milking parlour, and was an early user of terracing and grass waterways to reduce farmland erosion. He was a founding director, and later chairman, of the NB Milk Marketing Board, and earlier served as President of the NB Holstein-Friesian Association. He was involved with the International Dairy Federation and was an active and vocal delegate to the Dairy Farmers of Canada. He received the Louis Hebert Award from the NB Agrologist Association for his services to the dairy industry, and was inducted into the New Brunswick Dairy Hall of Fame in 1993.

Percy relished life, had an appetite for adventure, and was incredibly calm in a crisis and a problem-solver extraordinaire. His only regret in life was that he hadn't flown a Spitfire fighter plane. He was extremely optimistic, always seeing the best in everyone and every situation. He liked nothing more than to jump in the car to see where the road would take him. He loved spending Sundays at the cottage, boating on Shediac Bay and Washademoak Lake, and was an avid reader and crossword puzzle enthusiast. After retiring he devoted considerable time to researching his Anglo-Irish roots (his father had immigrated to Canada from Ireland in the 1890s).

He is survived by his children Lane, Fred (Ruth-Anne), Susan and Patrick (Cécile); grandchildren Lisa (Steve), David (Patricia), Christina, Michael, Marc, Julien, Christopher, Michelle, and Julia; and great-grandchildren Matthew, Zara and Jasper. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, most of whom live in Alberta. He was predeceased by his wife Jean (Colpitts) (2004), sister and brothers and their spouses (Barbara & Robbie Webb, Harvey & Marion, Richard & Ella, Charles & Irene, and Louie & Annie), sister-in-law Lu Colpitts, niece Wanda and nephews Roland, Richard and Billy.  

His final battle was with vascular Parkinson’s. Despite the challenges, he maintained his positive outlook and woke up every day glad to be alive—a testament to his incredible optimism and love of life. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren made his life better with their visits, especially when they brought a dog (or two) with them! The family thanks his caregivers and the staff at The Briarlea, whose support and kindness over many years extended his life and was a source of comfort to him and his family.

Now that Percy has left for his next adventure "up into the wild blue yonder", we will think of him each time we see lightning, an interesting cloud formation, a plane streaking through the sky, or the constellation Orion.    

Funeral service at the Salisbury Funeral Home, 3350 Salisbury Road (372-4800) will be Saturday, March 28 at 2 pm with a Legion Service at 1:45 pm. There is no visiting by personal request.  Cremation has taken place.

For those who wish to make a donation in his memory, please choose a cause you are passionate about.

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