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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-04-15, Page 39'/Ltuiee4Horizons, Deadlines: Friday @ 3 p.m. Holiday Weekends Friday @ 10 a.m. Deaths REV. FATHER MICHAEL M.J. DALTON "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race I have kept the faith. Now, there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8) Welcomed into the presence of Jesus, on Monday, April 6, 2009, Ret. Major Rev. Father Michael M.J. Dalton, M.B.E., in his 107th yeat. Born in Kingsbridge, Ontario, May 5, 1902, son of the late Morgan Dalton and the later former Mary Sullivan. Faithfully, served his Lord and Saviour for over 76 years of religious orders. Ordained May 21, 1932 in St. Peter's Cathedral, London. Served Holy Name of Mary, Windsor (1932-1936); St. Alphonsus, Windsor (1936-1939); as Pastor con- structed Most Precious Blood, • Windsor (1946-1953); St. John The Evangelist, Woodslee (1953-1959); ' St. John .DeBrebeuf & Companions, Kingsville (1959-1970); also serving as Padre of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch188, Kingsville. Served as Chaplain (Emeritus) Sacred Heart Villa, Courtland, 1970 until present. When the Secbnd World War arrived, Father Mike immediately and voluntarily, enlisted with the Windsor Essex Scottish Regiment ("Samper Paratus") answering the call to serve Canada and the Allied war effort overseas throughout the entire six and a half year war. He rose in rank to Major after receiving numerous citations for his ministry on the battlefields as he marched and ministered spiritually with the Essex Scottish (4th Brigade) always near the front lines of the Allies Axis European Theatre Assault, fighting difficult battles throughout France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Almost hit by shrapnel on three occasions and in honour of his devotion to the Allied Troops and continuing effective and brave ministry under intense, active duty conditions, on June 2, 1943, he was the honoured recipient of the "Most Excellent Member of The British Empire" (M.B.E.) conferred upon him by King George 6th at Buckingham Palace. Even after the honoured M.B.E. designation, the most decorated War Chaplain (ever) continued ,to refuse orders to stay behind the advancement of the troops. He felt it imperative to support and console the soldiers even under adverse and dangerous condi- tions. He gave the injured, dying, dead the last rites near the battlefield. Newspaper photographs show him transforming the hood of his jeep into a makeshift altar to offer mass and consolation to hundreds of sol- diers near the front. On more than one occasion, Father Mike would be so absorbed in .the liturgy itself that he (would turn around to) find that everyone else had scattered because of enemy fire. (For many that ser- vice (mass) would be their last, especially before Dieppe). Sir Knight, Father Mike was honoured to be appointed Chaplain of the Sacred Heart Assembly, #5095, Delhi, who specially honoured Father Mike's legacy at the Knights of Columbus Prayer Service, Tuesday, April 7, with a very special announcement by Past Faithful Navigator Jerry Vink, Life Member of the St. Mary's Knights of Columbus Council #3212, Tillsonburg, all of whom recognized Father Mike as "Exemplary Knight of the Year" (1988). Recipient of the "Air Canada - Heart of Gold" (1988) and the "Ontario Seniors Achievement Award" (1989). Father Mike was very honoured to receive Honorary Life Membership (2004) in the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 125, Delhi, in appreciation of his "D -Day Veteran wartime service". "He was a true hero in every sense of the word and a friend to many. Even while he spent his final years confined to a wheelchair, he remained a man of hope and deep faith, an inspiration to generations and to all of us." Life Member of the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans, Unit #30, Windsor, Citizen of 'le Year and Veteran of the Year, City of Windsor (1967). Life Member of the Guzera Caravan, #72, Order of the Alhambra, Windsor. Life Member of the Munza Caravan, #168, Order of the Alhambra, Grand Bend. Father Mike is predeceased by his five sisters: Marguerite, Josie, Monica, Antoinette (2004) and (a nun) Sister Maureen Dalton (1990), and his five brothers: Walter, John, Uriel, Dennis and Raymond Dalton. Survived by nieces, nephews, great- nieces, great-nephews and cousins. Friends met with the Dalton fami- ly on Tuesday, April 7 at the. Verhoeve Funeral Home, Tillsonburg. A memorial service under the auspices of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 125, Delhi, was conducted on Tuesday afternoon; Knights of Columbus Prayers and Parish prayers were held Tuesday evening. A complete Funeral Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by the Most Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro, C.S.B., on Wednesday, April 8, at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Tillsonburg. ' A further Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated Monday, April 13 at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Kingsbridge by Rev. Father John Jasica. Interment followed in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Kingsbridge. Memorial donations in Father Mike's memory may be made by cheque only to the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, . Kingsbridge, St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Tillsonburg, or the Delhi Legion Poppy Fund through the Verhoeve Funeral Home, 262 Broadway, Tillsonburg (519-842-4238). Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - Page A39\ Photo submitted Dynamite donation The Walter Fedy Partnership recently made a donation of $10,000 to the CT Scanner for Huron County Campaign. From left to right: Rudy Jansen and Roger Farwell of The Walter Fedy Partnership, Foundation Executive Director Heather Gienister, and AMGH CEO Bill Thibert. Lions Club to clean up Dungannon Hope you are all well and had a wonderful Easter weekend. Our family all made it home for din- ner and it's always good to have everyone together. I've been up one side of the tea-pot and down the other side already this morn- ing so we better get to it. Tom and Margaret (Adams) Young of Dungannon, celebrated their anniversary on Saturday. The couple were married 60 years ago April 16, at the Anglican Christ Church, Port Albert. The diamond celebration, held at the Dungannon Seniors' Centre, included a family luncheon for 35, followed by an open -house where close to 150 enjoyed the after- noon. Attendants for the couple, the groom's sister Amy Wiggins and bride's brother Charlie Ad- ams, were both also able to attend the celebration. A great assort- ment of photos and Margaret's hand -made quilts added a lovely touch to the decorated hall. Along with their children, Linda (Don) Culbert, Ross (Margie), all of Dungannon area, Peggy (Greg) Kerslake, of Staffa, Philip (Betty Pette), of Goderich, eight of their ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren were able to attend. Congratulations and Happy Anni- versary. The Community Pot Luck Sup- per was held on April 8. Music by Ben Brown on fiddle and An- nie Pritchard on the organ was enjoyed followed by euchre. The Dungannon Seniors hold a regular Debbie Bauer pot luck the second Wednesday of each month. Wayne and I were treated to a short tour of Phil Riley's maple syrup operations on Saturday, and what an education we bad. I for one had no idea how much things had changed since I was a kid. The great taste is the same though. Thank you Phil. President Jean Phillips, secre- tary Rieta Harris, treasurer Irene Markham and member Eppie Lawrence, of the Dungannon Se- nior Citizens attended the Zone 8 Spring Rally on April 9. The gathering was hosted by Varna and Belgrave at the Stanley Com- munity Complex in Varna with 85 attending from area clubs. Along with lunch, welcomes and annual reports, the ladies were treated to Exeter talent Bob Heywood on his accordion and most came home with a door prize. The An- ntfal Fall Rally in October, will be hosted by Dungannon. The Lions annual clean up is scheduled for April 18. Those helping....out are to meet at the Dungannon Park at 9:00 a.m.; bring shovels, rakes and gloves. This year the Lions are offering assistance to seniors, or others in our village, unable to do thei own lawn clean-up. If able, the recipients of the volunteer labour are asked to donate something to- ward the appreciation luncheon put on by the church. Rain date for the work -party (and lunch), is April 25. For more information you can contact Nancy Rivett at 519-529-3130. Lions Club, is holding their second Annual Dog Walk May 31. Pledge sheets are available at www.purinawalkfordogguides. com. You can contact Barb Smyth at 519-529-7781 for more details. You don't even have to have a dog to join in. Go ahead give Barb a call. Recently in euchre: White card, Doug Harris with 70 and Jay Mc- Coll with 60. Pink card, Lillian Waters with 74, Evelyn Chris- tensen with 69 and lone hands Ri- eta Harris with four. White card, Clarence Allin with 82 and Tom Young with 76. Pink card, Marga- ret Young with 68, and Jay Mc- Coll with 65. Lone hands Adeline Allin with three. That's it for another two weeks folks. I don't think I've missed anything, and I sure hope you don't miss me next time I'm pass: ing through. We all have to do what we can to keep our com- munity columns relevant so if you have some news, call me at 519-529-7820 or email me at wd- bauer@hurontel.on.ca I'll keep the kettle on for you.