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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
CARLING, John Burleigh Chapleau - It is with heavy hearts that we, the crew, of the good ship Carling, report that our beloved Skipper, Cmdr. John Burleigh Carling (age 102) “crossed the bar” on July 28th, 2026. Born in Ottawa, Ont., Feb. 26, 1924, the only son of the late Lewis B. Carling and the late Mary Louise Chapleau.
Dad commenced active duty in the Canadian Navy in 1943 at the rank of Seaman, retiring as a Commander 32 years later.
He served in the Battle of the Atlantic on mid-ocean convoy escort duty from 1944 to 1945, with the British Royal Navy in the Asia-Pacific and United Kingdom theatres after the war from 1946 to 1947, and completed eighteen consecutive months of duty in combat zones aboard three ships during the Korean War from 1952 to 1953.
His next appointment was as Aide to the Naval Board of Canada and as Personal Aide to the Chief of the Naval Staff at Naval Service Headquarters, Ottawa, from 1954 to 1955. He subsequently served as Naval Strategic and Tactical Command and Control Communications Plans Officer at NATO Headquarters, Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT), Norfolk, Virginia, from 1963 to 1966. Between these appointments, he commanded three warships during the Cold War, serving as Commanding Officer from 1956 to 1957, 1959 to 1960, and 1966 to 1967.
Following his retirement, he worked at National Sea Products, training Masters and Mates for the company’s large stern trawlers from 1974 to 1976. He then served as Business Administrator at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and Sacred Heart School in Halifax from 1977 to 1989.
In his spare time, Dad earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Saint Mary’s University in 1984, followed by a Master of Arts in Atlantic Canada Studies and Sociology in 1993.
He is survived by his daughter, Robin, of Chester, NS; his son Adam (Christine), of Westlock, AB; and his son Simon, of Halifax, NS. He also leaves his grandchildren, Hannah, Wyatt, Jacob, and Joseph, and his step-granddaughters, Miranda and Shandel.
He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, the former Joan C. Pidgeon of Victoria, BC; his infant daughter, Heather; and his sisters, Sally Hopkins of Ottawa, ON, and Dierdre Firth of Toronto, ON.
The family would like to thank the incredible team on the 5th Floor, Garrison East, at Camp Hill for their exceptional care during Dad’s brief stay, as well as Dr. Heather MacKinnon and Dr. Maria Lang for their stewardship along the way.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
Donations in Dad’s memory may be made to the charity of your choice. Dad was a long-time supporter of Feed Nova Scotia.
Departure ~ Final sailing orders having been received. A ship of life has taken departure. For some unknown destination. Beyond the line dividing sea from sky. Where those having gone before may be. And where those left behind may join. When their final deployment ends. (Author- John B. Carling) (Dignity Memorial)
Ships served in: HMCS MONTCALM (QUEBEC DIVISION RCNVR) - Appointed to Montcalm 01 Feb 1944 as a Prob SLt, RCNVR (Navy List Feb 1944) HMCS KINGS - Appointed to King 05 May 1944 as a Prob SLt, RCNVR (Navy List Jul 1944) RCN BARRACKS ST JOHN'S - Appointed to RCN Barracks St John 28 Sep 1944 as a SLt, RCNVR (for disposal) (Navy List Nov 1944) HMCS TILLSONBURG - Appointed to Tillsonburg 08 Dec 1944 as a SLt, RCNVR (Navy List Jan 1945) HMCS NEW LISKEARD - Appointed to New Liskeard 22 Feb 1946 as a Lt, RCN, XO (Navy List Apr 1946) ROYAL NAVY - Serving with the Royal Navy for Training effective 12 Apr 1946 as a Lt, RCN (Navy List Jul 1946) HMCS STADACONA - Appointed to Stadacona 07 Aug 1947 as a Lt, RCN (Navy List Jan 1948) RCN BARRACKS HALIFAX - Appointed to RCN Barracks Halifax 12 Jan 1948 as a Lt, RCN for Communications Course (Navy List Jul 1948) NAVAL HEADQUARTERS OTTAWA, Staff of DIRECTORATE OF NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS - Appointed to NHQ Ottawa 29 Nov 1948 as a Lt (C), RCN (Navy List Jan 1949) HMCS STADACONA - Appointed to Stadacona 06 Feb 1950 as a Lt (C), RCN (Navy List Jan 1950). Appointed Assistant Staff Officer (C) (Navy List Apr 1952) HMCS ATHABASKAN - Appointed to Athabaskan 16 Jun 1942 as a Lt (C), RCN (Navy List Jul 1952) HMCS IROQUOIS - Appointed to Iroquois 20 Jun 1952 as a Lt (C), RCN (Navy List Oct 1952) HMCS ATHABASKAN - Appointed to Athabaskan 27 Nov 1952 as a Lt (C), RCN (Navy List Jan 1953) HMCS HAIDA - Appointed to Haida 10 Jun 1953 as a LCdr (C), RCN (Navy List Jul 1953) HMCS CORNWALLIS, COMMUNICATIONS SCHOOL - Appointed to Cornwallis 26 Aug 1953 as a LCdr (C), RCN (Navy List Oct 1953) NAVAL HEADQUARTERS OTTAWA - Appointed to NHQ Ottawa 20 Sep 1954 as a LCdr (C), RCN as Flag Lieutenant-Commander to the Naval Board (Navy List Oct 1954) HMCS HURON - Appointed to Huron 09 May 1956 as a LCdr, RCN, XO (Navy List Jul 1956) HMCS NADEN, STAFF OFFICER (COMMUNICATIONS) - Appointed to Naden 19 Aug 1957 as a LCdr (C), RCN (Navy List Jan 1958) HMCS STE THERESE - Appointed to Ste Therese 24 Jan 1959 as LCdr, RCN, CO (Navy List Jul 1959) NAVAL HEADQUARTERS OTTAWA, Staff of ASSISTANT CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF PLANS - Appointed to NHQ Ottawa 06 Sep 1960 as a Cdr, RCN (Navy List Jan 1961) NAVAL HEADQUARTERS OTTAWA, DIRECTOR OF SUPPLEMENTARY RADIO ACTIVITIES - Appointed to NHQ Ottawa, DSRA 06 Sep 1960 as a Cdr, RCN (Navy List Oct 1961) TRI-SERVICE, SACLANT, Staff - Appointed to FIX TRI 20 May 1963 as a Cdr, RCN (Navy List Apr 1964) HMCS NIPIGON - Appointed to NIPIGON in 1966 as Commanding Officer
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