Maurice passed away peacefully this morning at the age of 95. He is predeceased by his sister Joan, brother Bill and survived by his loving wife and war bride Marie, brothers Gordon, Percy and Jack, sisters Else, Ethel and Pat, sons Gary (Major (ret'd) Queen's Own Rifles), Marshall and Mark, daughter Pamela, 9 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Maurice was born on the west half of Section 34 in the Municipality of South Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan, and grew up on a grain and dairy farm. He joined the First Battalion Regina Rifles as a Rifleman in June 1940 and promoted to Sergeant in 1943. Maurice returned to Canada to attend the Officer's Training Course at Brockville Ontario and was subsequently promoted Lieutenant. He returned to England on 31 December 1944 and then rejoined the First Battalion Regina Rifles who were fighting in Northeast Germany where he served with them as Adjutant until the end of the war. On 11 July 1945 Maurice married Marie at Ruislip, Middlesex, England with whom he enjoyed 71 years of marriage. Maurice returned to Canada in March 1946 and was subsequently released from service.

In 1951, Maurice rejoined the Canadian Army and was posted to the Royal Canadian School of Infantry at Camp Borden Ontario as an Instructor. In 1954 he was posted to the Second Battalion Queen's Own Rifles and served with them as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Korea and subsequently with the First Battalion Queen's Own Rifles in Victoria as Adjutant. Maurice then served with HQ BC Area in Vancouver, rejoined the Second Battalion Rifles in Calgary and served his final posting with National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. He was released from the military in 1971.

Maurice was retained by the DND as a civilian and appointed Head of the Inquiry Section which was a part of the personal office of the Chief of Defence Staff. In 1974, he was appointed as Director of Parliamentary Affairs and as personal Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Mr. James Richardson, where his star shone brightly until his final retirement in 1979. Maurice's appointment as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister was truly an exceptional accomplishment and a sparkling credit to his charm of style, industrious work ethic, respected teamwork ethos, trusted competence, pronounced strength of will, admired gravitas and innate sense of polished diplomacy. For a man without a high school education, unilingual and with no formal staff college training, this sterling achievement of a genuinely modest "hungry 30's" Saskatchewan farm boy to be working in the glorious Parliament Buildings directly with, and for, the Minister of National Defence as a most valued aide was a profound statement of prodigious personal success and compelled our heartfelt admiration and glowing respect in full measure. He truly was a man of great probity and his example was truly marvellous in our eyes.

In retirement, Maurice was at home in rural Metcalfe Ontario as a cattle hobby farmer and then as a local range rider with his beloved Appaloosa filly named Sunny and relished "the pleasant hours of riding with her along the wooded trails and over the open meadows."

He also enjoyed curling and grand family gatherings but his most outstanding memory, the inner reflection that gave him the most celebrated joy, was clearly his time in uniform – especially with the Second Battalion Queen's own Rifles in Korea where he achieved an outstanding success, as a very junior Captain, as best and winning Company Commander in a Brigade combat competition that featured experienced and successful Majors as the opposition. The Brigade Commander in his glowing congratulatory remarks lauded "the professionalism and enthusiasm of B Company. It was a proud day for me and my warriors." One of his Platoon Commanders was Lieutenant Charlie Belzile who later became Lieutenant-General Belzile, Commander of the Canadian Army.

He warmly delighted in reminiscing about the Army he deeply loved, the wonderful and magnificent soldiers he knew including the monstrous personalities, outrageous characters and endearing legends and those happy, halcyon days of unforgettable camaraderie and the powerful satisfaction of rich Regimental life.

To his beloved grandchildren, Larissa, Alix, Morley, Lindsay, Faune, Roxanne, Jason, Melanie and Angela, Maurice radiated a magnetic charm of human warmth, faithful reliability and genuine empathetic love that captured their hearts. He was a grand lion of a man, a paragon to all and the vigorous potency of his noble heart filled the room. Maurice also conveyed that happy blend of dignity and courtesy so difficult to describe and was at his dynamic social best when he was square dancing to his treasured country music. He delighted in the company of his grandchildren and would wear his smile of contentment for all to see.

This splendid and magnificent man passed away peacefully on April 30, 2017. Maurice would say that he was fortunate to live such a rewarding full life and one without regret and wished to be remembered as a good soldier, a dedicated and devoted husband, a dependable father and a very proud Canadian who loved his dear Saskatchewan. He was indeed a credit to his beautiful country, a credit to his uniform, his Regiment and an endearing lifelong credit to his family.

We will miss him deeply and his memory is already dearly cherished and revered by so many people whose lives he touched. I must remember to tell him....

With great affection,

Gary Whiting.