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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
KING, Eric Thomas - It is with great sadness that the family of Eric King announces his passing on December 6, 2021 at the age of 92. He was predeceased by his wife Mary; and is survived by their children: Stephen (Frances), David (Zelda), Philip (Donna), Diane (Shawn Spurr), Lorraine (Ron Fitzgerald), Katherine (Mark Starratt), and Barbara (Norm Seguin); 15 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. He is lovingly remembered by his sister, Hilda; sisters-in-law, Kathleen Foster and Jean Lewis; and many nieces and nephews. Eric will be deeply missed. Eric was born in 1929 and raised in Montreal, the son of the late Thomas King and Nellie Turner. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1950, underwent basic training in Cornwallis and was posted to Halifax where he trained as an electrician. There he met Mary, a Registered Nurse working in the VON and they married in 1951. Eric transferred to the Fleet Air Arm as a Radio Technician in 1952. Highlights of his naval career included many deployments aboard the aircraft carriers HMCS MAGNIFICENT (VS 880) and HMCS BONAVENTURE (HS 50), including during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Eric was a member of the navy’s factory team in Longueil, Que., during the assembly of the venerable Sea King helicopters. He returned to Shearwater in 1966 and on promotion to Chief Petty Officer First Class in 1971 was posted to Bagotville to run the maintenance of the fighter aircraft. He retired in 1972, returning to the family home on Oakwood Avenue in Dartmouth. Post-retirement Eric worked for Pirelli Wire & Cable and ended his civilian career as QA manager at IMP. Throughout their retirement years, Eric and Mary kept up their navy association through the Canadian Naval Air Group. They shared many wonderful adventures travelling the world together. It was his goal to show Mary as many of the places he had seen as a young sailor as he could. They had a loving and good life together for 63 years. Eric spent the last five years of his life living in Parkland. His time in Kinross Hall gave him a new lease on life. He enjoyed being active and involved; happy to spend time in the company of new and good friends. Cremation has taken place under the care of Atlantic Funeral Home, Dartmouth. At Eric’s request, there will be no visitation or official service. He will be interred alongside the love of his life, Mary, in Dartmouth Memorial Gardens on December 23rd. In remembrance of Eric, a donation to a charity of your choice would be appreciated. (Saltwire Network 11 Dec 2021)
Ships served in: HMCS MAGNIFICENT - Served in MAGNIFICENT with VC 880 Squadron HMCS BONAVENTURE - Served in BONAVENTURE with HS 50 Squadron
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