Tribute

Captain John CLEE CD (Ret) John Beaupre Scott CLEE, passed away at his residence on the 25th of February 2009. He is survived by his wife Barbara of Cobble Hill, BC, daughter Kathy Clee and granddaughter, Adrienne Kennedy of London, Ont., son Tom Clee of Newbury, Ont., sister Pamela Paine of Wargrave, Berkshire, England, and two loving cats, Mutt and Jeff. Born on June 14, 1929, John was raised in London, England. As a young child, John experiencing the Battle of Britain, he already knew he wanted to be a paratrooper. As soon as he came of age he joined the Royal Artillery. Shortly afterwards he followed his dream, becoming a paratrooper in an airborne battery and attaining the rank of sergeant. In 1953 John immigrated to Canada, joining the Canadian Armed Forces as an infantryman in the Royal Canadian Regiment, serving with NATO in Germany and the UN in Cypress. He was one of the first Canadians to attend the US Army Ranger School in 1959 and was a Distinguished Honor Graduate of his course. John rose to the rank of Master Warrant Officer and served with the Canadian Airborne Regiment from its inception. His memories of the soldiers of Charlie Company, 1 Commando and theirs of him, have made them a unique brotherhood. Commissioned in the rank of Captain on December 1972, John served as Range Control Officer at CFB Gagetown, as Trials and Evaluations Officer at the Canadian Airborne Centre, Griesbach Barracks, Edmonton and as a UN Military Observer on Israel’s Golan Heights. Upon his retirement from the Army in 1984, John and Barbara moved to Duncan, BC and later to Cobble Hill. Retirement allowed John ample tome to indulge his favorite pastime, reading. Quote from John. “Barbara, I will never live long enough to read all the books I want to read.” John was truly loved and will be missed deeply by his family and many friends. “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.” A celebration of his life will take place on March 21st, at 1:30pm in the main community hall, 3550 Watson Road Cobble Hill, BC. Reception to follow. If desired donations may be made to: The RCR Campaign Office, RHQ, Wolseley Barracks, 701 Oxford St,, East London, ON N5Y 4T7 Or to: The SPCA, Cowichan & District, 7550 Bell-McKinnon, Duncan, BC V9L 6B1.