Another Vet gone.

Fleet16b · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:42 pm

Lost my Dad at 1:00 pm today.
Charlie Harrod was born in 1919 in Hamilton Ontario Canada
He was named after an RFC pilot, Charlie Pattison, a friend of my Grandmother's that was killed in WW1.
With a legacy like that, he naturally grew up loving aviation and airplanes.
By 1936, he obtained a job at the Hamilton Aero Club as an Aircraft Engineering apprentice. Pay was 1 hr Flying lessons a week plus street car tickets to get to work each day. It was depression times and he got no pay but was dam glad to be learning a trade.
With the outbreak of WW2, he joined the RCAF where he was loaned to the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and was based at #9 Elementary Flying Training School , St Catherines Ontario and was based there for the duration.
Following the war, he landed a job at Trans Canada Airlines but became disenchanted with airline work .
He spent the rest of his life raising a family and working for Westinghouse Canada.
Like many vets , he leaves a strong legacy and was my inspiration to also become a pilot and fly vintage aircraft. I am happy to say he was able to see me purchase and fly a Fleet Finch 16b just like the ones he did during the war.
Dad I love you

Cherrybomber13 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:54 pm

Fleet,
Very sorry for your loss. He sounded like a great guy.

Drew

Jollygreenslugg · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:59 pm

I'm sorry to hear of your dad's passing. May he rest in peace. Please accept my condolences.

Men like your dad made a difference, and the world is a better place for their having been here.

All the best,
Matt

The Inspector · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2011 5:16 pm

I deeply feel your great loss and can see your love for him in your post on his passing. I'll guess he was in his late 80's so he had a good, long run at it. It will take time to get past it, let the phases run their course and don't be in a big rush to 'get over it' I tried to push the grief envelope and had months and months of short sleep nights and always feeling bummed out.
I still 2+ & 6 years on think about both my folks but now more and more the memories are of fun times and pleasant experiences.
Take all the time you need to get past this major point in your life, and realize you have lots of support and friends here.

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2011 5:19 pm

Fleet,
So very sorry to hear of your loss. Cherish the times that you had together.

Dan Jones · **Posted:** Tue Nov 29, 2011 2:10 am

Sorry for your loss, fleet.

Zachary · **Posted:** Tue Nov 29, 2011 6:46 am

My condolences to you and your family.

Zachary · **Posted:** Tue Nov 29, 2011 6:46 am

My condolences to you and your family.

Fleet16b · **Posted:** Tue Nov 29, 2011 8:51 am

Guys
The notes of condolence on this thread have been much appreciated ...thank you !
We bury him Friday along side my Mother who , as much as my father, was every bit as instrumental in encouraging and helping me obtain my dreams in aviation.
As per his wishes, he will be cremated.
The majority of his ashes will rest with my Mother but some will take a final flight with me to an airport** that he had great times at in his youth.
There I will land leave the Fleet running get out and scatter his ashes using the prop wash
Thank you again for all the kind comments ... they help.

**I won't disclose the airport location till after as I am not sure if what I will do is legal or not.

Robbie Stuart · **Posted:** Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:18 am

So sorry to hear of your loss. Your Dad was another of "The Greatest Generation", we can be proud to have had parents from that era. My thoughts & prayers are with you.
Robbie

Jeff Hunt · **Posted:** Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:54 am

Cam, sorry to hear of the loss of your dad.

Jeff

LadyO2Pilot · **Posted:** Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:11 am

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. What a wonderful tribute to your Dad. Your plans at the airport are so special and meaningful.

RMAllnutt · **Posted:** Tue Nov 29, 2011 12:05 pm

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. Your father sounds like a wonderful, and fascinating chap. He had a good, long life, and was clearly surrounded by people who loved him. We should all be so lucky. Rest in Peace.

All the best,
Richard

Bomberboy · **Joined:** Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:36 pm **Posts:** 64

A sad time for you as well as a happy time in that you can remember all the good things that you did between yourselves in the first place, and that he was the type that did his bit that helped to ensure we have the freedom to do good things with our own children.
RIP
My condolences to you and your family

Bomberboy

JohnCFord · **Posted:** Tue Nov 29, 2011 1:31 pm

Fleet, I would like to congratulate your father on a life well lived. He sounds like an inspiration to many. ~J~ :spit

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