TROTTER: ELMER JOHN "AL" LT. COLONEL (RET) DFC,DFM,CD,CM

At approximately 02:35 hours Pacific Standard Time, August 16th, 2011 Al responded to his final Zulu alert, took off solo in his beloved CF100 where he "slipped the surly bonds of earth, put out his hand and touched the face of God".

Al was born February 23, 1923 in Santa Cruz, California. At the age of 3 he and his mother moved back to Canada and Al grew up in the communities of Tuberose and Sanctuary, Saskatchewan.

Al was predeceased by his adoptive father Frank, his mother Marie, brothers Fred and Jack and his sister Louise.

On September 1, 1941 at the age of 18, Al enlisted in the RCAF wanting to serve his King and Country in World War II. In November 1943 Al went to Britain and was seconded to the RAF as a Lancaster Bomber pilot. He served with 101 Special Duties Squadron where he completed 5 sorties and then he and his crew volunteered for the Pathfinder Force. He served with the 156 and 582 Pathfinder Squadrons and was shot down on his 44th sortie. Al was a POW for 9 months, was on the death march across Germany and was liberated at Lubeck, Germany in April 1945. Upon repatriation to Canada, Al reenlisted with the RCAF and served in the Korean War and as the Squadron Leader of 445 All Weather Fighter Squadron in Marville, France during the Cold War.

Al ended his 28 year military career as the Commanding Officer, CFB Mt. Lolo in 1970 when rather than taking another posting to Ottawa he chose Kamloops, a city he loved greatly, as his retirement community.

Al was an avid golfer, loved the game and continued to play until a year ago when ill health would no longer allow him to do so. He was a member of the Kamloops Golf and Country Club for over 40 years.

In his later years, Al became a strong advocate for veteran's rights and an outspoken contributor to the Kamloops Daily News with his letters to the editor.

Al leaves behind his co-pilot, chief navigator and the love of his life for 61 years, Val, six flight instructors and their co-pilots Leslie (Richard), Jack, Laurie (Jamie), Val (Mario), Danny (Lynne), Rob (Cristene) and 12 outstanding student pilots, Cassie, Michelle, Andrew, Robert, Joel, Nicole, Evan, Sam, Kyla, Jessie, Deborah and Chance, and of course his faithful companion Anabell le chat.

Dad, we know you will be there on the first tee for the Sunshine Open, walking the course and driving the ball straight down the middle.

A very special thanks to Betty and Jamie Hinton for your friendship and support over the years. Betty, you were Dad's hero and you and Jamie will always be members of our family.

The family would like to thank the doctor's and nurses at Royal Inland Hospital, especially the ladies of 7 North for your gentle and compassionate care of Dad. To all our friends we thank you for your kind words of comfort and your support.

A Celebration of life where family and friends can gather together and share a few stories and laughs will be held at the Kamloops Golf and Country Club, 3125 Tranquille Road on Thursday, August 25, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

If desired, in lieu of flowers donations in Al's memory can be made to 204 Black Maria RCAC or the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation for the new ICU or the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund.

Condolences may be expressed at www.schoenings.com

Schoening Funeral Service entrusted with arrangements, telephone 250-374-1454.