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A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
STOKVIS, Wilfred David - Born September 19, 1913 in Burnaby, B.C. Died at his home in Vancouver on May 24, 2000. He is survived by two daughters, Susan W. Stokvis and Gillian E Stokvis-Hauer of Vancouver, B.C.; his sister Wilhemina (Billy) Cragg of New Westminster, B.C.; granddaughters Tina Stokvis and Alyssa Hauer of Vancouver, B.C.; his dear friend of 30 years Margaret Solar of New Westminster, B.C.; his niece Daphne (Michael) Fahey-Cragg of Truro, Nova Scotia; nephews Tom (Wendy) Cragg of White Rock, B.C., Ted (Rosemary) Cragg of Vancouver, B.C., Eric (Karen) Cragg of Orleans, Massachusetts and their families. Predeceased by sisters Winifred Mather-Hillman and Eleanor Cummins of Vancouver, B.c. Wilf graduated from South Burnaby High School and was a five letter Athlete there and won the Senior Decathlon Track and field Championship during his junior and senior years. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from The University of British Columbia in 1939 and was an avid sportsman on the U.B.C. rugby and basketball teams. After graduating from U.B.C. his career was interrupted by wartime service. He served 5 years in WW II with The Royal Canadian Navy. After being the Captain of two Canadian Warships, the Minesweeper HMCS GRANDMERE and the famous ocean going R.C.N. Corvette HMCS BARRIE he retired as Lieutenant Commander R.C.N.R. While in command of the HMCS BARRIE during the grim Battle of the Atlantic he was responsible for picking up 14 survivors of a torpedoed Merchant ship. Incredibly, amongst the survivors was a seaman that he had rescued two years before in October 1942, when his ship picked up survivors from the CARIBOU, that was torpedoed in approximately the same place between Canada and Newfoundland. After the war Wilf went into business in Vancouver as an Executive with James H. Lovick International Advertising Company, then in 1947 on to Advertising Manager for the Late Lord Thomson of Fleet's Vancouver Morning News - Herald. In 1957 when the News - Herald ceased publication Wilf joined the general advertising staff at the Vancouver Sun and Province newspapers for the next 21 years and retired in 1978. Wilf always loved his bridge games, and since 1945 he was a daily keen Bridge player at the Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club. He was well - known in Vancouver bridge circles as a solid player, but has played in and distinguished himself in many tournaments as well as playing with some of the world's top experts. He gained his National Masters title in 1965. Popularly known as the "Chairman" by his bridge buddies at the Club, he will be greatly missed by them all. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. A reception in celebration of Wilf's life will be held at the Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club on Friday June 2, 2000 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wilfred Stokvis served in the RCNVR during WW2. After the war he was transferred to the RCN(R) - Retired List.
Ships served in: VANCOUVER DIVISION RCNVR - Attached, as a Prob. SLt, RCNVR (Navy List Aug 1941) HMCS KINGS - Appointed to Kings 27 Aug 1941 as a Prob. SLt, RCNVR (Navy List Oct 1941) HMCS GRANDMERE - Appointed to Grandmere 04 Jan 1942 as a SLt, RCNVR (seniority 18 Aug 1941) (Navy List Jan 1942). Appointed Lt, RCNVR (seniority 18 Aug 1941). Appointment to Grandmere corrected to 28 Dec 1941 (Navy List Sep 1942) RCN BARRACKS HALIFAX - Appointed to RCN Barracks Halifax, For Disposal or Under Training - Command Course 1 Mar 1944 as a Lt, RCNVR (Navy List Feb 1944) HMCS BARRIE - Appointed to Barrie 16 Jun 1944 as a Lt, RCNVR, Commanding Officer (Navy List Jul 1944). Served in Barrie as 7th Commanding Officer 16 Jun 1944 - 26 Jun 1945 (Macpherson-Burgess - Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910-1981) * Retired List as a Lt, RCN(R) (seniority 18 Aug 1941) (Navy List Apr 1946). Promoted to LCdr, RCN(R) (seniority 18 Aug 1949) (Navy List Jul 1950) HMCS DISCOVERY (Retired List) - as a LCdr, RCN(R) (Navy List Jul 1952). Last noted in the Navy List for Jan 1960 on the retired list at Discovery (seniority 2 yrs 14 days)
Article on Lt Stokvis from the Vancouver Sun - 18 Sep 1944
Article on LCdr Wilfred Stokvis from the Vancouver Sun 13 Jun 2000 Click on the above article to view a larger image
Courtesy of Renee Legg
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For Posterity's Sake 
