Stephen William Harry Haley
Died: August 3, 2012 | Place: Victoria Hospital
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Obituary
HALEY, Stephen William Harry…Serenely, in his own good time and after a full life at Victoria Hospital, London on Friday, August 3, 2012 Stephen W.H. Haley in his 91st year. Born in Miri Sarawak Borneo, the son of Albert Haley of Marthaville Ontario and Lucy Stonehouse of Hull England he was educated in Scotland and England. At the beginning of the Second World War he was commissioned as an officer in the Royal Air Force , completing his Spitfire training in time to participate in the Battle of Britain. After recovering from injuries sustained from an attempt by the Luftwaffe to make the “few” fewer he transferred to the RAF Regiment (Iraq Levies) serving in North Africa, the Near East and Meditteranean theatres. Following the war Stephen emigrated to Canada settling first in Toronto where he met and married his beloved Margaret (Fletcher) and then in London where he had a career in automobile sales and as a representative for many years of Corby-Wiser’s Distillery. He was an active member of the London Little Theatre Company, The Baconian Society, The London Automobile Sport Club and the Sponsor’s Committee 614 Forest City Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadet Corps. He was also a Past Chairman of London’s Fortnight Festival and a Director of the Vimy Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. His many stories, dry humour and love will be sadly missed by his sons Chris (Joanne), Ian (Nancy), and his grandsons Derek (Pamela), Drew (Sarah) and Fletcher. He will also be missed by his many friends for whom he was immensely grateful. Stephen would like to thank the London medical fraternity which allowed him to maintain an impressive social schedule to the end and the nursing staff of Victoria Hospital B9 who made his last days so pleasant. He would especially like to thank Dr. Julie Clarke for her years of care and kindness. A memorial to celebrate Steve’s life will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2012, 11:00am at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 472 Richmond Street, London ON, N6A 3E6. As an expression of sympathy, donations to the London Regional Cancer Centre, 747 Baseline Road East, London Ontario N6C 2R6 would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to the A. Millard George Funeral Home, London 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com
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Stephen was a very close friend for many happy years in fact, since, I was a child. We had a very special relationship and I considered him my spiritual grandfather. His friendship also meant a great deal to my parents Patsy and Derek and to my brother Carac. I wish to express my sincerest condolences to Stephen’s sons Chris and Ian and to their families.
-Kaywyn T.S. Allison.
We are saddened by Stephen’s loss. To have known him and Margaret was a joy and a privilege. They are badly missed. May they be reunited in Christ.
Stephen will never leave us; memories of his laughter, his gentle voice, his wit, his kindness, his love of life and his indomitable spirit will always surround us. Only his physical presence is gone; the echoes of his amazing soul abide. And somewhere, he and Margaret are together again, sharing their laughter and their love. We’ll meet again, dear friend.
Truly, madly, deeply- you will be missed beyond measure. I thank you that you touched my life so profoundly. Love and thoughts to your entire family.
You have officially slipped the surly bonds…
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Stephen’s family for their loss. Stephen was one of the first people we met at St. Paul’s after we moved to London. He possessed a remarkable spirit and wit, which were not diminished by his patient humility. The personification of a gentleman, his grace and humour touched all those with whom he came in contact. Even decades after his service to King and country, he still possessed the flair of those ‘few’ who captured the hearts of a generation, and he continued to capture the hearts of latter generations. We are the better for having known him and had the privilege of his friendship, and the world is just a little less bright for his passing.
Ian – I did’nt have the pleasure of knowing your father but from the obit description his possession of character is obvious. Sincere condolences to you and family. Bill Fraser
I feel very sad about Steve, he was the best Godfather I could have wished for. He loved me a lot and I loved him lots to. I would always send him emails and he always replie. I wish I could of seen him one last time, I am sorry that I couldn’t I will never forgive myself
Marshall and I lived in the same apartment building as Stephen. We did not know him very well but whenever we met him in the lobby or elevator, he was such a courtly gentleman, he made you want to be his best friend. He loved our English bulldog. we are saddened at his passing, Our deepest sympathy for you loss.
I was so very sorry to hear of Stephen’s passing. I had met him through my brother, Peter Hanes, and know how much my brother thought of him. I am truly sorry for your loss.
with deepest sympathy,
Betsy Hanes
I have many fond memories of Steve. His famous sayings “is that a fact?” and “did you know?” were portals to fascinating discusions of history, people, families and current events. Steve was a true gentleman, who at the age of 18 fought tyranny as “one of the few”. He often said about Churchills quote ” Never has so much been owed by so many, to so Few” was about his and his comrades bar bills outstanding in the mess. Steve was a true gentleman, with the heart and soul of a warrior. He truly was one of the few, and a member of the world’s greatest generation. We shall miss him. Steve graciously came into my school and spoke to the Students on Remembrance Day. He had the ability to connect with young people and they had a great deal of respect for Steve. I Remember the students after the ceremony walking up to Steve, shaking his hand and saying “Thank You”. He was beaming and the students would often talk about that remembrance day. Our condolences to Ian, Nancy, Fletcher and the rest of the Haley clan. We shall miss him.
Dear Chris & family,
It was a pleasure to meet your Father at the banquet,a very interesting gentleman. He had an amazing long life.
Our condolences from the Barker & Adams Family.
Stephen was a gentleman and a scholar of the first order. We always appreciated and enjoyed his eloquence and his lively, engaging conversation.
We have fond memories of social evenings {Couples Club, Readers”Guild of St. James Westminster} which were graciously hosted by Margaret and Stephen.
Our deepest sympathy,
Noel and Rita Martin and family.
We will miss Steve’s ready wit and his unfailing support of the Canadian Chapter of the RAF Regiment Association. In particular his hosting with the late John Rennie of our gathering dinner in London.
Rest peacefully Steve, you will never be forgotten.
Marion and Iain Purves
Stephen was a wonderful man with great wit and a wonderful personality.We lived in the same apartment building and he will be missed.My sympathy to his family and friends.
Terry
Always remember the family is thinking about all of you at this very difficult time. We are all here for you. Steve was one in a million.
It was priviledge and an honour to be able to call Steve my friend. We enjoyed many lunches and dinners, and lots of conversation over the past three years. He was the true definition of what a gentleman should be – caring, compassionate, courteous, engaging, and encouraging. He was ultimate cheerleader. He was one of a kind. He will be dearly missed.
I first met Steve when I was writing 50th anniversary stories on major events of the Second World War, a series that lasted from 1989 to 1995. Finding Steve Haley and getting to know him and Margaret was the highlight of those six years, and the friendship endured for years after. I will always treasure the memory of Steve’s wit, kindness and generosity in sharing his memories of the war in Britain, North Africa and the Middle East and his own unique and marvellous adventures along the way. His passing is our loss and a gain for that happy Valhalla where the old warriors go.
I first met Steve when I was writing 50th anniversary stories on major events of the Second World War, a series that lasted from 1989 to 1995. Finding Steve Haley and getting to know him and Margaret was the highlight of those six years, and the friendship endured for years after. I will always treasure the memory of Steve’s wit, kindness and generosity in sharing his memories of the war in Britain, North Africa and the Middle East and his own unique and marvellous adventures along the way. His passing is our loss and a gain for that happy Valhalla where the old warriors go. I am doubly sorry because a trip out of town will cause me to miss the Aug. 18 gathering.
Our deepest condolences to Ian, Nancy, Fletcher and all the many others whose lives were touched by such an extraordinary man. It is a rare gift to meet a true hero, and utterly humbling to find he is the picture of grace and charm to boot. He will be very greatly missed.
If life were a game of cricket; at the crease was the batsman, Steve.
His life, long and full and never dull, was more than we could conceive.
A WWII veteran and flew spitfires; he survived being shot down – twice.
But above all else, he was a gentleman; I know of no other so nice.
~ ~ ~
With the Bowlers’ overs not over and done, the batsman still standing tall, (no doubt).
Steve told us “It’s my desire that I will retire; four-score-plus-ten not out”.
No fuss, no fanfare, courage with heroes is never bereft.
With God’s good grace, a smile on his face, from the cricket field of life, Steve left.
Quite the life! Quite the man!
Love to all of Stephen’s friends and family.
-Ryan Somers Hanes