Amanda Squires (Daughter)
Entered
February 26, 2017
from Toronto
I am very sad to let you know that our father, Stanley J. Squires, born on October 15, 1928 ,died at 88 years old in Ottawa in the May Court Hospice on Feb 2, 2017 after 1315 in the afternoon. Survived by his older brother Derek Squires and wife Peggy ( England) and younger brother Roy Squires.( Ireland)
Stanley was a very strong individual, survived the Second world war and was ready to fight training as a cadet in the British Air force, when the war ended.
He was extremely smart and was one of only two of many candidates selected who qualified for a scholarship to Detroit ,Michigan, USA for engineering. Of course he did "extremely well" (one of the things he always said to us, as he shook our hand well we succeeded completing a task). He made the best of his time and travelled around the USA with his friends while he was there. He returned to England to work in Vauxhall Motors.
Later he fell in love and married our mother Glenys Maureen Shierson from Caerlon, South Wales on Sept 25th, 1954.
He had three children, 1956 Carey Jane Squires , 1957 Amanda Jayne Squires and in 1962 Brett Simon Shierson Squires who fathered three grandchildren, Abigail, Rebecca and Samantha.
We had a wonderful life in England, always making the best of everyday. He commuted to London so we could live in a lovely country town in Kempston, Bedfordshire. England. He shared with us his love for horses, gardening, rabbits, guinea pigs and raised prize mice as a boy! (as told in one of his stories " Mouse in the House")
Always liked nice cars , music and dancing; a real gentleman and always well dressed. He used to swing my sister around the living room dancing to the latest Beatle's songs in the 60's. He looked so young, that when he was working in London, they asked him to grow a moustache, wear a bowler hat and carry an umbrella. It did not work, still looked so young, he shaved it off, just not him!.
He had a desire for adventure again and we emigrated to Nova Scotia ,Canada in 1966 on my May 5th, my mother's birthday. As she says the best thing that he did for us!. Later we moved to Montreal and were there to celebrate Canada' s 100 birthday! Expo 1967.
Later we moved to Toronto 1969.Over his career he also worked for Cranfield Aeronautical University, UK , Cooper brother's, Price Water House and later CMHC and also taught in Algonquin college in Ottawa in his spare time( organizational behaviour).
Unfortunately our parents divorced but both married wonderful new partners in 1984, my father married Mireille Renauld and my mother married Paul Sutherland. They both had wonderful lives with their new partners in life.
My father and Mireille moved from Montreal to Ottawa, he spent the last 37 years with his loving wife and was a father to her sons, Mark and Luke and his daughter, granddaughter to Mireille , " Mari eve".
After retirement at 68, he followed his dreams and completed his MBA from Queens University in Kingston. Ontario and later pursued his passion of painting and writing him memoirs.
He completed many pieces of work, four major works and one in progress. The painting of the arial view of Ottawa is on many walls around the world. Being in the "Nations Capital", as he would say, he gifted the copies of his art work to the various Embassies. He was a member of the National Art Gallery and loved all the museums in Ottawa. We spent many enjoyable visits and shared those with him, art, music, dancing, nature and plays . He also loved the Tulip festival, Winter lude, Skating on the Rideau canal and exploring the byway market.
My father lost his battle with skin cancer which turned into brain cancer. He had such severe pain, he was so strong ,the bravest man I know. He did not complain even in the end, he was a complete gentleman. He fought hard after two surgeries and two course radiation. He did not want to leave this world, he had more stories to write and more pictures to paint. Such a smart man and always wanting to learn more and explore the world. He planned to live to 125 yrs, he had so much to accomplish. As he would say "Power of Positive Thinking", Live you dreams!.
He passed his last few weeks in the May Court Hospice in Ottawa. Dr Aldridge and nursing staff finally got his pain under control after 10 months of agony at home. He was finally able to think of something other than pain and paint two pictures before he died, which gave him great joy.
The staff were amazing and I was to happy to see how much they cared for him and how they helped him die in dignity, pain free.
Two days before he died, we fulfilled his request to be serenaded again by a wonderful volunteer guitarist. He sang his favourite Beatles music and many songs including, "Stand by me"" You have got a friend "and " It is a beautiful world". Even though he was heavily sedated and medicated, I know he could still hear him singing.
He was unconscious when he passed which gave us great relief. I was reassured by the staff at the May Court Hospice, he was peaceful, pain free and calm as he left this world.
If you would like, you can send a donation in honour of my father Stanley J Squires to the May Court Hospice 114 Cameron Ave, Ottawa, Ontario K1S OX1- 613- 260-9407
The nurses and volunteer staff loved " Stanley " He was always thanking them for everything they did for him. They said they truly don't often have clients who are so kind and humble right to the end, he was special in their eyes. They were also very supportive to his wife and his children.
He survived until the 150 th year of Canada's confederation. He loved Ottawa, as he would say to us when he would call " This is your father ,Stanley J, calling from the Nation's capital.!"
We will miss him dearly, but I am so happy he is out of pain and in a better place. He was as he said "singing his heart out" with the guitar player just the week before " Singing in the Rain". I hope he is dancing in heaven.
Amanda
