Mar 10, 1922 - Jan 1, 2018
Howard Edward Ward Southin, born March 10, 1922 passed away quietly on January 1, 2018 at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital following a fight with bladder cancer.
Ward was the loving husband of Frances for 70 years.
He is survived by his daughter Leslie Me Vicar (Scotty) and two grandchildren Daren Carey and Selena Hebig (Greg) and two great grandchildren Kyle Hebig and Madeline Hebig.
He is also survived by his sister Sylvia Korican and cousins Chris Southin (Peggy) and Roger Southin (Sheila) and brothers in law and sisters in law Doreen Millard, Katherine Mead (Lawson), Tom Millard (Marg), and Dorothy Constable many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his son Leonard Southin and his sister Doreen Jamieson (Don), brothers in law Ray Millard, Graham Constable and Tommy Korican.
Ward was born in Chemainus and worked as a shipwright in Esquimalt until joining The Royal Canadian Navy in 1943. He served on the newly commissioned HMCS Ontario and was onboard her in Belfast on VE day. The Ontario was with the allied fleet in Hong Kong harbour the day of the Japanese surrender.
He served on many ships with one of his favourites being The HMCS Saskatchewan where he was a Chief Petty Officer on the commissioning crew.
After he left the navy he spent several years working at Chemainus Mill. When he finally retired he spent many hours at The Ladysmith Healthcare Auxiliary Thrift Shop where he became known as "the bicycle man" repairing many bicycles.
He was a member of The Chief & Petty Officers Association and The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 171 in Ladysmith.
He was an avid fisherman and hunter. Ward loved to garden and feed his birds. No service at Ward's request.
Condolences may be offered at www.telfordsladysmith.com.
Telford's Funeral Home