Daniel William Almon
Born: September 8th, 1918
Passed on: November 24th, 2008
Sept. 8, 1918-Nov. 24, 2008 Daniel William Almon, P.Eng., died peacefully in Halifax, on Nov. 24, 2008, surrounded by his family. Born in Sydney on Sept. 8, 1918, he was a son of the late Strickland and Mary Ann (MacDonald) Almon; and is survived by his sons, Alan (Carol), Calgary, Daniel (Deborah), Michael (Ann), David, all of Halifax, Kenneth (Sharon), Dartmouth; daughter, Christene (Peter Wade), Dartmouth; grandchildren, Dr. Kirsten Almon, Dr. Jeffrey Almon, Patrick Wade, Marc Almon, all of Toronto, Sarah Almon, Ottawa, Gregory Almon, Beijing, David Almon, Calgary, Daniel Almon, Alan Almon, Jennifer Almon and Alexandra Wade, all of Halifax; sisters, Genevieve MacKinnon, Evelyn MacDonald, Sydney; and brother, Michael, Sydney. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 55 years, Marjorie E. (Macdonald) in 2002, grandson, Andrew Almon, stepmother, Julia Almon, sister, Theresa MacDonald, Florida. Danny was educated at Sydney Academy and like many of his generation, his young life was shaped by the Depression years and the war. Following high school, he found work at the Dominion Steel and Coal Corp. in Sydney. Answering the call, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1939 and upon completion of his training in Sydney and passing through an operational training unit in England, he was posted to the 274 Squadron RAF. He soon saw action over England, fighting in the Battle of Britain, eventually transferring to Malta, escorting Allied bombers over the North African desert. He had completed numerous successful sorties until his plane was strafed by anti-aircraft fire Dec. 1, 1941, south of Tobruk, the heavily fortified and strategically located fortress in Libya that was fiercely contested by Axis and Allied powers. Although wounded, he managed to bail out and was captured upon landing. He spent the remainder of the war - three and a half years - as a prisoner, initially in Italy, before being moved to Nazi POW camps in Germany. Danny's youthful spirit and resourceful courage was, as much as anything else, the reason why he survived a sentence of unknown duration, privation, death marches, escapes and recaptures - an enduringly painful ordeal, that many did not survive. After repatriation, in recognition of his service in the war, he was awarded the Africa Star and the 1939-1945 Star and left the service with the rank of flight lieutenant. He was educated at Saint Francis Xavier University and the Nova Scotia Technical College (Dalhousie Faculty of Engineering), from which he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was a founding partner and president of Almac Agencies Ltd., an engineering sales firm, until his retirement in 1986. He was a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and the Engineering Institute of Canada. He served as president of the Maritime Commercial Travelers' Association and was a member of the Halifax Board of Trade. He also chaired the Workers' Compensation Appeal Board. He was a loyal supporter of the POW Association. Active politically for many years, he served as president of the Halifax Chebucto Liberal Association and was a member of the Liberal Party of Canada. Danny was a proud alumnus of St. FX and as a tribute to Marjorie after her death, he established a scholarship at the university in her memory. He was a former member of Ashburn Golf Club, Antigonish Golf Club and the Halifax Curling Club. He was an enthusiastic gardener, in the company of his cat 'Annie.' He was an avid fisherman who looked forward to the annual Victoria Day holiday weekend with his children, fishing the rivers and streams of Antigonish County. Until recently, he spent many happy summers at the cottage at Mahoney's Beach on St. George's Bay, Antigonish. Danny was fortunate to have lived a long life enriched by the love of his family and friends. Funeral mass was held on Friday, Nov. 28 in St. Agnes Church, Halifax, with Rev. John Williams officiating. His grandchildren participated in the Eucharist celebrating his life as readers, soloist and presenters of the offertory gifts. Danny's daughter and five sons were his active pallbearers. Interment in the family plot in St. Ninian's Cemetery, Antigonish, at a later date.
