ELDRIDGE, Major Victor Wishart – 90, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on September 25, 2012 in Yarmouth Regional Hospital. Born in Yarmouth, he was a son of the late Victor and Helen (Wishart) Eldridge. Victor was enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force from January of 1941 until May of 1971. His overseas service was with 489 Royal New Zealand Squadron, 455 Royal Australian Squadron and finally, the 415 RCAF Torpedo Squadron. He completed 38 missions against the enemy during the war along the coastline of Norway, Germany, Holland and France. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, he served as rear gunner and his crew destroyed three enemy E-Boats. A peacetime tour was completed with 103 Search & Rescue. Eldridge was personally commended by the Minister of National Defence for his rescue efforts. As a Canadian representative, he served six months with the U.S. Navy, establishing weather stations in the Arctic Islands such as the “Alert” Station on Ellesmere Island. He was assigned to Task Force 80, which was credited with the discovery of the cairn of the famous explorer Commander Robert Peary. He was an Air Traffic Controller and Search Master in Trenton, Ontario and Commanding Officer of Station Knob Lake (Shefferville) for six months until reassigned to the U.N., where he served in Japan, Lebanon and Egypt. Post U.N. duty, he was assigned to 436 Transport Sqn., based in Downsview, Toronto, followed by Winnipeg, to his final posting of C.F.S. Baccaro in Nova Scotia. By 1961, flying time logged had totaled 7,257 hours. Victor’s working career spanned 45 years with the Armed Forces, Canada Manpower and Social Services. Serving on Yarmouth Town Council for 18 years, Victor was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Lion’s Club and a Commanding Officer of 299 Air Cadet Sqn. He is survived by loving wife of 56 years, Addie (Dunn); son, Charles (Lori), Yarmouth; daughters, Stephanie, Yarmouth; Sandra (David) Arsenault, Truro; grandchildren, Erinn, Matthew, Heather and Marc. He was predeceased by brother, Donald; sister, Joyce Reid. Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Victor believed that every person had to show courage to fight intolerance and injustice. He will be greatly missed by family and friends. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yarmouth. Visitation took place on Thursday, September 27 from 7-9 p.m., with a Royal Canadian Legion Service at 7:30 p.m., from Zion Baptist Church, where funeral service was held Friday, September 28 at 11 a.m., Rev. Brian Wallace officiated. Interment followed in Yarmouth Mountain Cemetery. Following the committal, a reception took place in the church hall. Family flowers only, please. Donations in Victor’s memory may be made to the I.W.K. Health Centre or to the Yarmouth Fuel Bank. On-line condolences may be sent to: sweenysfh@eastlink.ca or you may sign the guestbook on-line at: www.sweenysfuneralhome.net