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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
McNAIR, Richard Michael - Sadly I have to report the passing of Richard, my husband of 51 years, on April 20, 2021, one month short of his 75th birthday. Though he has been in declining health for some time his passing was unexpected and instantaneous. He was born to Charles and Thisbe McNair in Victoria, BC on May 18, 1946, grew up in Ottawa from age 5 to age 19 where he excelled as a sea cadet. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy as an Able Seaman in 1965 in which he was affectionately known as ”Bubbles”. He much enjoyed his colleagues and much of the job, though not the scrubbing and polishing, and loved to tell stories about the characters he sailed with and the places they went. Many voyages took them to the Caribbean in winter while Nova Scotians at home were shoveling snow, and they often went to Europe. He was a naval weapons technician serving on six ships for over 18 years as well as spending a year with the military police, time teaching in fleet school and time in naval headquarters during his 35 years, 260 days of service, never moving from Halifax after basic training. As required he retired on his 55th birthday in 2001. He had by then reached the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class. Richard is survived by me, his Scottish wife, Alison, his younger brother Ian, and half sister Jane (Keith), as well as his sister-in -law, Joan, nephews Peter (Darcelle) and Ewan (Amee), their children, Angus, Asha, Alex and Max (our Great Ones), and nieces Isabelle and Elizabeth. He was predeceased by his parents, step-parents and parents-in-law. In retirement he loved being a member of the Royal United Services Institute of Nova Scotia for which he was their Chief Information Officer, and for which he edited “Dispatches”, a weekly on-line newsletter which went around the world. He was also a director in the Atlantic Canada Army Corps, he also much enjoyed being an active member of the Halifax Burns Club which celebrates Robert Burns the acclaimed Scottish poet who ended his life and buried in my home town, and over many years enjoyed belonging to local wine societies in which he served in various positions. In retirement we also much enjoyed cruising annually, which he found more comfortable and relaxing than “Grey Funnel Lines,” and also travelling annually to my home town, Dumfries in Scotland for five or so weeks annually. That’s where we shall be buried. For those who wish to make donations in his memory I suggest that donations to the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust (the Second World War corvette, HMCS SACKVILLE) of which he was Life Time Member would be appropriate (PO BOX 99000. Stn. Forces, Halifax, NS, B3K 5X5), as would donations to any charity of your choice, particularly medical ones. May he Rest In Peace. Richard was appreciated by everyone he knew as a friendly, outgoing, enthusiastic and gregarious person. He will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by me and so many others. (Dignity Funeral Home)
Ships served in: HMCS TERRA NOVA - Served in TERRA NOVA in 1962
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