We celebrate the life of Lindy "Len" Merlin Plourd, age 61, which came to a peaceful end in the early morning of Nov. 10, 2012, at the Prince Edward Palliative Care Unit in Charlottetown. Len put up a valiant fight from injuries sustained many years ago while serving with the Royal Canadian Navy. On Oct. 23, 1969, at 8:20 a.m., the HMCS Kootenay was in the North Atlantic when there was an engine room explosion and fire - nine seamen lost their lives, others were seriously injured, many with Len, trapped in the cafeteria full of thick black smoke and flames. The survivors suffered PTSD, as well as long-term physical and medical difficulties. Len was transferred to CFB Summerside, Slemon Park, to await a transfer to a different ship - around the same time his future wife Cora moved to the base. It was love at first sight - they met Jan. 16, 1970, engaged Feb. 7 before Len was transferred back to sea duty. Len and Cora were married on Dec. 19, 1970. In early 1971, Len was medically discharged from RCN and moved to his home town Lethbridge, Alta. Len and Cora enjoyed their early married life and many friends in Lethbridge and then moved on to Cora's home province Prince Edward Island in the summer of 1993. Len was an easygoing man with a great smile and laugh, always willing to help anyone in need. He was a terrific husband, supportive partner to his wife of 42 years, loyal friend and a committed pet "dad" to Niki, Freddie, and Sassy. Left to treasure his memory are his wife Cora (Nicholson) Plourd, his brothers Paul (Gail), Coalhurst, AB, Trevor (Carolyn), Lethbridge, AB; sister Shelley (Conner), Calgary, AB; Aunt Ev Plourd (Victoria, BC). Len will be missed by in-laws Alan and Jan Nicholson (Regina, SK), Blair and Barb Nicholson (Ottawa, ON); Cynthia Nicholson, (Mt. Pearl, NF) and a host of nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. Len adopted PEI as home including Nicholson relatives Dave and Paula and Ron and Mary Duchesne, Mrs. (J.P.) Grace Nicholson and their extended families. Also, the surviving crew members of the Kootenay, We Are as One. Len was pre-deceased by his parents Paul Vincent and Haroldine (Sorensen) Plourd, Lethbridge, AB., and his parents-in-law Douglas and Maude (Smith) Nicholson of Rocky Point, PE. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Len can be made to the Cat Action Team PEI or the PEI Humane Society, or Lethbridge Animal Shelter. Out of respect for Len's final wishes, there will be no visiting hours or formal funeral service. Honouring his wishes and looking after final arrangements is MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel, Charlottetown. Online condolences may be made at www.macleanfh.com.

Hommages