Obituary of Robert Sutherland

SUTHERLAND, Robert Graham MMM, CD (Veteran WW II) CWO "THE" MASTER GUNNER Suddenly at the Heart Institute, Ottawa, on Friday morning, November 26th, 2010. Robert Graham Sutherland of Ottawa at the age of 87 years. Beloved and devoted husband for over 66 years of Olive Rose-Marie (Nee Pilon). Dearly loved father of Laurel Sutherland-MacLean (Laird) of Ottawa; Rosalie Carroll (Tim) of Sydney, Australia and Carole Sutherland-Bégin (Bruno) of Ottawa. Cherished and proud Opa of Marc Pilon(Anne O'Higgins), Jeff Pilon(Kelly), Lindsay Wright(Jeff), Rosalie Sutherland and Alexandre Bégin and great-grandfather of Jake, Keira, Garrett, Emma and Madison. Special brother-in-law of Mary Helen Smith (Thurston) of Ottawa. Bob was predeceased by his only sister, Elizabeth "Betty" Potter (late Bill) as well as his brothers-in-law: Frank Pilon (late Kay), Vince Pilon (Cécile of Ottawa), Bill Pilon and Ambrose Pilon (late Gisèle). Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Bob (Red) enlisted in Ottawa in 1941, he went overseas 1942, served in Northwest Europe, France and Germany, fell in love and married Nursing Sister Olive (Brown Eyes) Pilon in England in 1945. He remained in Holland until 1946 as part of the Occupation Force after which he returned to Canada where he continued his military career. He was appointed as the CO of the 129 AAD (Airfield Air Defence) Battery Lahr West Germany. He received the Member Military Merit (MMM) in 1976 presented by the Governor General. He retired in 1978 after 37 years as a decorated member of the military. To keep himself busy he embarked upon a new career including Director of Government Business Development Mustang Survival, VP Denlen Electronics, President Shaden International, Canadian rep For Litton Industries (Electron Tube Division) Tempe Arizona, Head of Military Services Section ADGA Engineering, President and CO RGS Safety and Survival Inc., Past President of the Master Gunners Association, Chairman of the First Battery RCA Veterans Association, Member of the Eastern Ontario Gunners Association, and Third Degree Knights of Columbus. As a testament to his character and integrity, a special award was created in his honour by SAFE International: THE BOB SUTHERLAND INTEGRITY IN INDUSTRY AWARD. This will be a continuing testament for what Bob stood for. He is greatly loved and will be missed by all who knew him. Family and friends are invited to the Kelly Funeral Home, Barrhaven Chapel, 3000 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa for visitation on Tuesday evening, November 30th from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 400 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa on Wednesday morning, December 1st at 11 o'clock. Internment will follow at the National Military Cemetery, Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa. A special thank you Dr. Bernie MacDonald and his caring medical team. The kindness and devotion the nurses and staff gave our Husband and Father will always be remembered. A donation may be made to a charity of your choice. All funeral arrangements are in the care of Bob's godson and nephew Andre Pilon of the Pilon Family Funeral Home, Arnprior in kind cooperation with Scott Young and Kelly Funeral Home, Barrhaven.