CECIL VICTOR GRADY . July 21, 1921 - August 6, 2009 .It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dearly beloved husband, father, grandfather, and father-in-law, Cecil Victor Grady. He left us on the evening of Thursday, August 6, 2009 at Royal Inland Hospital with his loving family by his side. Cecil was predeceased by his parents Charles and Ada Grady, his brother Donald Grady and most recently by his very dear wife Inez, on December 15, 2008. Left to cherish Cecil's memory are his daughters Maureen Grady and Sharie Lomas (Ken) and his beloved grandchildren Alia Lomas and Jeff Lomas. Also mourning Cecil's loss are numerous relatives and friends in Canada, England, Scotland, and the USA. Cecil was born on July 21, 1921 in Twickenham, Middlesex, England. He was very active in sports and loved the game of soccer. Cecil joined the Royal Air Force in 1940 at the age of 19 and he was stationed at Fraserborough, Scotland. As a pilot, he flew Hurricanes and Spitfires and his job was to patrol the coast of Scotland and England during the war. In 1943 Cecil was sent to Manitoba, Canada and as part of the Commonwealth Training Program, he took on the job of Flight Instructor and taught other young servicemen to fly planes. It was at this time that Cecil met Inez and they were married at her family's home on January 22, 1944. Shortly thereafter, Cecil had to return to Scotland to resume his duties as an RAF pilot. In 1946 Cecil returned to Canada on a troop ship and was happily reunited with his wife Inez. They resided in Winnipeg where Cecil worked as an Assessor for the City until 1955. By this time Cecil had become the proud father of his two daughters. In 1955 Cecil began his career with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Cecil and his family moved many times to various Air Defence Command Radar Bases in Canada where Cecil was a Weapons Crew Officer and Intercept Director. He was responsible for the supervision and training of personnel in the Air Defence Complex of Canada and North America. Cecil spent one year of duty at the Distant Early Warning Line at Cambridge Bay, NWT in 1963. He had such wonderful stories to tell the family about his experiences in the Canadian North. In 1969 Cecil and his family moved to Tacoma, Washington, USA. Cecil was a Senior Weapons Director at McChord Air Force Base until 1971, at which time he retired from the Canadian Armed Forces and he and his family settled in Kamloops, BC. Cecil worked for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum Resources in Kamloops from 1973 to 1986 until his retirement at the age of 65. Cecil was a man of exemplary character. He embodied many fine qualities which were greatly appreciated and admired by his family and friends. Cecil had a strong belief in a Higher Power and his faith served him well throughout his lifetime. Cecil was a very kind, compassionate, and generous man. He was a very good friend to many. He was a source of great strength and wisdom for his family. Cecil took special pride in his grandchildren and loved both of them very deeply. They, in return, thought the world of their grandfather. Cecil was a member of the Masonic Lodge for 60 years. He held his fellow Masonic Brethren in the highest esteem and he had the highest regard for the wonderful work done by the Lodge. Cecil's involvement with the Masonic Lodge was a source of great pleasure for him. The Lodge was like a second home to him. Cecil was a Past Master of Kamloops Masonic Lodge #10 AF&AM, a Past District Deputy Grand Master of District 3 - Grand Lodge of BC & Yukon and a Past 1st Principal of Chapter 18, Royal Arch Masons. He was a member of Kamloops Preceptory #84, Knights Templar. In 1997 Cecil was invited to Barrie, Ontario to be honored by the Scottish Rite with the 33rd Degree, the highest Degree possible. Our family extends many kind thanks to the nurses and doctors of 6 North, Royal Inland Hospital, who attended to Cecil. We would also like to extend special thanks to Dr. Richard McLeod for his care of Cecil and for his compassion for our family. A Celebration of Cecil's Life will take place at St. Paul's Cathedral, 360 Nicola Street, Kamloops, BC on Monday, August 17, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. Following the service a reception will be held at the Masonic Hall, 351 Nicola Street. Should friends desire, donations in Cecil's memory may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon or to the Canadian Cancer Society of BC & Yukon. You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family's on-line memorial register at www.personalalternative.com.. Arrangements are entrusted to Justin Clark of Personal Alternative Funeral Services, 250-554-2324. Forever In Our Hearts So Dearly Loved. We Will Miss You Each and Every Day. Until We Meet Again