|
A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
WOOD, James Crilly - Passed away March 2, 2020, age 85, in Halifax. Jim was born August 29, 1934 in Charlottetown, P.E.I. to the late George and Kathleen (Bourke) Wood. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Joan (Cameron) Wood; sons, Michael (Heather), Dartmouth; Stephen (Ginette), Langley, B.C. and daughter, Susan (Paul) Tomchyshyn, Salem, Mass.; grandchildren, Allison and Nicholas Wood, Andrew and Gillian Tomchyshyn, Bryce and Michaela Wood; great-granddaughter, Ivy Andrenelli; sister, Joan (Jack) Brown, Stratford, P.E.I.; several nieces and one nephew. He was predeceased by his parents and elder brother, David. Jim received his early education in Charlottetown. He joined the RCN as an Ordinary Seaman in 1951. He was selected for Officer Training and entered the Canadian Services College at Royal Roads in September 1954. After graduation in 1956, he received further training at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, England and several Royal Naval establishments in Portsmouth, England. Jim and Joan returned to Canada in the spring of 1959 and he was selected for submarine training in September of that year. After attending the US Submarine School in New London, Conn., he served in various submarines including HMCS Ojibway, which he commanded from 1967-69. He also served as a member of the Directing Staff at Royal Roads Military College in Esquimalt, B.C. Jim attended the Canadian Forces Staff College in Toronto for the academic year 1969-70 and was promoted to Commander. Upon completion he was posted to NDHQ in Ottawa. In 1972 Jim was appointed Commander, First Canadian Submarine Squadron at Halifax. Promoted to Captain (Navy) in 1974, Jim was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff (Sea) at Maritime Command Headquarters following which he took command of HMCS Protecteur. He attended the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, England in 1978 following which he became Senior Maritime Liaison Officer of the Canadian Forces Defence Staff, London and the Canadian Forces attache at The Hague in the Netherlands. Jim and Joan returned to Ottawa and, in 1982, Jim was promoted to Rear Admiral. On July 15, 1983 he was promoted to Vice Admiral and appointed Commander Maritime Command in Halifax where he served for four years, retiring in 1987. In 1988 Jim accepted the position of President, Saint John Naval Systems, Halifax, and Vice President Saint John Shipbuilding, Saint John, N.B. He retired from these positions in 1991. Following Jim's retirement, he and Joan made their home in Halifax in an old South End Victorian house which they lovingly restored. With his final retirement, Jim and Joan were able to spend their summers at their cottage in Murray River, P.E.I. where they enjoyed golfing, gardening and visits from family and friends. There were also annual salmon fishing trips to the Miramichi and Margaree Rivers. They continued to travel extensively, sometimes with family and friends, including ski holidays in Europe, Quebec, the United States, and British Columbia. For many years they enjoyed travel to North Carolina and Florida in April. More recently, Jim and Joan spent a few weeks each spring enjoying adventures in the south of France. Jim had many interests and hobbies such as woodworking, furniture refinishing, and wine making. He and Joan always enjoyed their time at the cottage in Prince Edward Island which they had built themselves. He also served on the boards of the Technical University of Nova Scotia and The Salvation Army. Following cremation, interment will be in the Columbarium of the Cathedral Church of All Saints in Halifax. A celebration of Jim's life will be held in the Cathedral, 1330 Cathedral Lane, Halifax on Monday, March 9th at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow. Family flowers only. If desired, donations may be made to the Cathedral Church of All Saints, or the Last Post Fund (http://www.lastpostfund.ca/ EN/donate.php).
Ships served in: HMCS MAGNIFICENT - Served in Magnificent in 1951 as an OS, RCN (The Nauticapedia) HMCS WALLACEBURG - Served in Wallaceburg in 1952 as an AB.TAS, RCN (The Nauticapedia) HMCS PRESTONIAN - Served in Prestonian in 1953 as an AB.TAS, RCN (The Nauticapedia) HMCS ROYAL ROADS - Appointed to Royal Roads 01 Sep 1954 as a Cadet, RCN (Navy List Apr 1955) * Service with RN as an A/SLt, RCN (Navy List Jan 1958) HMCS NIAGARA (Washington, USA) - Appointed to Niagara (for courses with the USN) 29 Jun 1959 as an A/Lt, RCN (Navy List Jul 1959) HMCS NIAGARA (Washington, USA) - Appointed to Niagara 30 Dec 1959 as an A/Lt, RCN (Navy List Jan 1961) HMCS ATHABASKAN - Served in Athabaskan in 1958 (The Nauticapedia) HMCS GRILSE - Appointed to Grilse 11 May 1961 as a Lt, RCN HMCS ROYAL ROADS - Appointed to Royal Roads, Cadet Wing, 11 Mar 1963 as a Lt, RCN HMCS GRILSE - Appointed to Grilse 23 Aug 1965 as a Lt, RCN (Navy List Oct 1965) HMCS OJIBWA - Served in Ojibwa as a LCdr, CO, 25 Aug 1967 - 08 Aug 1969 (Macpherson / Burgess - Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910-1981) COMMANDER FIRST CANADIAN SUBMARINE SQUADRON - Jul 1972 - Jul 1974 HMCS PROTECTEUR - Served in Protecteur as a Capt (N), CO, 12 Feb 1976 - 28 Jul 1977 (Macpherson / Burgess - Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910-1981)
*Service summary after his appointment as CO of HMCS PROTECTEUR. Source: The Nauticapedia: He served in MARCOM HQ as Deputy Chief of Staff Plans 1977. He served in the Royal College of Defence Studies London UK 1978. He served as Senior Maritime Liaison Officer at Canadian Defence Liaison Staff London and Canadian Forces Attache to The Netherlands 1979. He was appointed as a Commodore (With seniority dated 14/07/1980). He served in NDHQ as Director General Maritime Doctrine and Operations 1980. He was appointed as a Rear-Admiral (With seniority dated 26/02/1983). He served in NDHQ as Chief of Maritime Doctrine and Operations 1983. He was appointed as a Vice-Admiral (With seniority dated 15/07/1985). He served in MARCOM HQ as Commander Maritime Command 1983-87. (He was retired in 1987.)
Cover from the Crowsnest magazine - March 1954
|
For Posterity's Sake 
