Eric Nielsen
Born: 23 December 1939
Died: 16 February 2018
Ever proud of his Estonian heritage where he was born, Eric's family under went a hazardous escape to Western Europe in front of the Soviet advance during the closing months of World War Two. After a period of living under spartan conditions in a refugee camp his father found work in Sudbury, Ontario where Eric lived until being accepted in the RCN as an officer cadet in HMCS Venture.
Successful at Venture where he was awarded among other awards, the Officer of the Watch Telescope, he later earned his Wings after undergoing flying training and served as a pilot aboard the carrier, HMCS Bonaventure. While flying from the Bonnie he narrowly survived a crash at sea from which he was rescued by the destroyer HMCS Chaudier. Eric left the RCN in 1965 and joined Air Canada a company he served for thirty-five years retiring as captain on the Boeing 747-400. During retirement, Eric devoted his life to his family, community service and his phenomenal garden.
Sadly, Eric was diagnosed several months ago with lung cancer and eventually succumbed to this affliction after considerable chemo and radiation treatment.
Eric is survived by his devoted wife, Carmelle, two brothers, Arne (Estonia) and Heino , daughter, Lisa, son, Peter and five grand children, According to Eric's request there is to be no memorial service.
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