Sharpe, Clarence Robert
Passed away quietly at Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket, on Saturday Dec 13, 2014 at the age of 93. His family nicknamed him "Dean", as a measure of respect, and it was a name that stuck for his entire life; otherwise he was known as Bob. His life revolved around his family, to whom he devoted all his love and energy. He was a man of quiet grace and dignity; not a man of many words, but when he spoke, you listened. Dean was so well liked by everyone he came in contact with, and will always be remembered for his low key demeanour, humour, honesty and loyalty. He was well known for his wit, and his knack for twisting words that continually brought smiles to our faces.
Dad had an undying love for his wife Peggy, to whom he was married for 68 years. His life mission was to ensure her well being, and that of his children. He leaves to celebrate his life, wife Peggy (nee Ainge); children David (Terry), Robert (Diane), Patti (Brent), and Dianne (David); grandchildren Gord (Elleneth), Amanda (Tim), Dan, Steven (Teresa), Julianne (Jordan), James, Jon (Maddie), Ali (Dave), Ben, Holly and Robbie; great-grandchildren Grace, Nate, Isabel, Liam, and soon to be Aiden and Hannah; also siblings (Vivian, Irene and Gerald; he was predeceased by Arthur and Ray) and many nephews and nieces spanning Canada, USA, England and Australia.
Clarence was born in Manor, Saskatchewan on April 30, 1921, a product of early pioneers in the Moosomin area, son of James Walker Sharpe and Ella May Hammond. He enjoyed the small town prairie life where he took a keen interest in radios, crystal sets, and radio communication until he graduated from high school. His mother died in 1938, and at age 17 he departed Manor, first living in Brandon before enlisting with the RCAF in Feb 1941. He proudly served with the RAF starting April 1941 to Aug 1945, primarily based at Oakington with No. 7 Squadron, Pathfinders, Bomber Command where he was a radar specialist. It was there that he met Peggy in 1943. After a brief return to Canada to decommission and to earn some money in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Dad returned to England where he and Peggy married on May 26, 1946. He worked in London and area as a radio technician until June 1951 at which time he believed there was greater opportunity back in Canada. He soon landed a job at DeHavilland Aircraft in Downsview, Ontario in July 1951 where he engaged in making airplanes until his retirement in April 1986, ending his career as Superintendent of Final Assembly. Peggy joined him in Toronto in March 1952 along with their two sons; Patti and Dianne were born in Toronto.
Dean loved anything mechanical. He fixed everything, with a special passion for working on his cars, where he would tackle nearly any repair. He also loved fishing in the Credit River and golfing. He was still hitting balls at Westview until the Spring of this year. But mostly Dad just wanted to be around his family, providing his gentle guidance. We are so very fortunate and grateful to have had a husband, father, grandad, brother, and uncle as kind as Dean. See ya later Dad.
At his request there will be a private celebration of his life. Cremation was arranged through Roadhouse and Rose Funeral Home in Newmarket. A very special thanks to the doctors and nurses of Central 6 Medicine of Southlake Regional Health Centre who tended to him with compassionate care during his last days. As well to Sunnybrook Veterans Centre for buying us all a few years more with him, in an earlier brush with the end. Online condolences may be made at www.roadhouseandrose.com

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