Our community is saddened by the news this week of the death of Norm Constantine of Gibsons.
A proud veteran of the Second World War, Constantine remained a staunch supporter of the Royal Canadian Legion until his passing on Feb. 17.
Constantine was born in England on Dec. 9, 1918. The night he was born was so foggy that his father had to walk in front of the taxi taking his pregnant mother to the hospital. His mother became an English war bride, following her Canadian husband to Vancouver Island after the First World War. Young Constantine grew up in the Parksville area. In 1941, he married Rhoda in Vancouver. He joined the army and served in the Signals Corps. He took officers training in Kingston, Ont. Constantine's rank when the war ended was captain.
Constantine was interviewed several times in local papers. In 2005, he told Coast Reporter of his search in Holland for the grave of one of his fellow signalsmen. When he found the grave, Constantine said he was moved by the number of graves - the final resting places of mostly young men.
"When standing beside the cross of my comrade-in-arms and looking over the acres and acres of white crosses designating the final resting place of thousands of our fallen comrades I was suddenly hit emotionally. I could only think, 'what a waste, what a loss this was to Canada.' These men, if living, would have participated in every part of our country. Perhaps one or two of them would have been prime minister. I pray that no such tragedies will be allowed in the future - thoughts that occurred as tears were running down my face."
After the war, the young family moved to Ontario. In 1972 they came back to B.C.
His second-eldest daughter, Sandy Smith, named for her dad (Norman Alexander), has many fond memories of her father. She recalled her dad's pleasure in his last job. He was manager of B.C. Blueberry Co-op and Ocean Spray Cranberries before retiring. One of Smith's best memories of her father is from a couple years ago at the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Gibsons Legion. "He was dancing with my mom, both of them with big smiles on their faces."
Along with many seniors in Canada, Rhoda Constantine is an Alzheimer's patient. Smith remarked on her father's constant care of his wife.
"I'm so proud of the way he looked after my mom after the diagnosis. He was a real advocate for her," Smith explained.
Constantine is survived by his wife Rhoda, daughters Susan, Sandy, Pamela and Deborah, 13 grandchildren and one great-grandson. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Feb. 27, from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 109 Gibsons at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Salvation Army or Legion No. 109.
