THURSDAY May 2, 2013 Vol. 28 • No. 36 ••• $1.25 inc. G.S.T.
COMOX VALLEY Your community. Your newspaper.
ARTS
SPORTS
Get the lowdown on the annual Filberg Festival in today’s Comox Valley Record. page B1
The bantam AAA North Island Royals baseball team is off to a good start to the 2013 season. page B8
RECORD A division of
SECOND
PAIR
FREE
EVERYD AY! 349 B 5 th Street, Phone: 3 Courtenay 34-2043
www.comoxvalleyrecord.com
School’s heart gone Renee Andor Record Staff
NORTH ATLANTIC WEATHER was just one of the hazards braved by current Comox Valley resident Bill Georgeson during the Second World War.
Russians thank vet Scott Stanfield Record Staff
Bill Georgeson was called to duty by the British Royal Navy in 1942. The following year, still only 18 years old, the Scotsman was at sea aboard the HMS Domett, embroiled in the Battle of the Atlantic. Last year, the office of Russian President Vladimir Putin honoured the 88-year-old Comox resident with the Ushakov Medal, in appreciation of courage and bravery displayed during the Murmansk Run — a convoy route in the Arctic Ocean where navy seamen delivered war materials to the Soviet Union. “Ushakov apparently was to the Russian people, under the days of the
czars, what Nelson was to the British people,” said Georgeson, a member of the Comox Valley branch of the Royal Canadian Naval Association. “The award was to do with bringing much-needed supplies up to and around the top of Norway and Sweden, and down into northern Russia, way above the Arctic Circle.” The supplies were then sent to the defence of Stalingrad. “If Stalingrad had fallen, Hitler would have had his hands on the rich oil wells in that part of the country. He needed oil for his military regime. “This is part of the Lease-Lend of the Atlantic Charter that Mr. (Franklin) Roosevelt and Mr. (Winston) Churchill had put
PRICED TO SELL
17995
$
MSRP $219.95
662 Anderton Road, Comox
250-339-4518
2981 Moray Ave, Courtenay y
250-331-0748
www.WesternOne.ca
BG Gas Blower
together when they met in Newfoundland in 1941.” When the landing in northern Russia was deemed a success, Georgeson was commissioned to a new group of destroyers sent out to join the British Pacific fleet in the Far East. But by the time his ship reached India, the Americans had dropped the atomic bomb. “As a young man I saw a lot of the world, and was lucky that I survived it,” he said. Georgeson doesn’t recall being frightened. Of bigger concern was keeping warm and dry, and keeping the ship afloat. “It took a long while for the Soviets to show appreciation,” he said. “They ... see VET ■ A2
LOWEST PRICE EVER
39995
$
MSRP $449.95
M55 Yard Boss Cultivator C ator
Cumberland Junior School will host a celebration of life for a man called “the heart of the school.” Learning assistance teacher Ted Newman, 61, passed away suddenly due to a heart attack April 22, and a public celebration of life will be held for him Saturday at 1 p.m. in the school gym. Cumberland Junior School principal Philip Maund says one teacher put it perfectly when they called Newman ‘the heart CUMBERLAND JUNIOR SCHOOL will host a celebration of life Saturday in honour of well-loved and of the school.’ “We have messages longtime teacher Ted Newman. PHOTO SUBMITTED (posted up) all around the “He was an amazing school that we’re going to Whether it was school use in the ceremony on Sat- dances, staff activities or teacher,” says Byrne. “He urday,” says Maund. “Every basketball and volleyball really found a way to get kid was given a piece of games, Newman was there to kids that needed a little paper to write their own helping, says Maund, add- bit extra attention and suping Newman had been port, you know, some kids personal message to Ted. “Every single kid did, coaching track and field that kind of had a rough go of it, he was realand a lot of them ly able to connect were, ‘Thank you for with them and to getting me through He’s one of those people who (school); I wouldn’t loved to work, didn’t work to live. He encourage them to do better. have done it without loved being in school — he was very, “We’re all you.’” going to miss him Newman worked very rarely away. Phil Maund a lot,” Byrne conat the school since tinues on behalf 1989, primarily as a learning assistance teacher. earlier during the day he of her family. “But we know that he connected with so According to Maund, passed away. “He’s one of those people many people while he was many of the students Newman worked with struggled who lived to work, didn’t here that I think he’s left with their school work, work to live,” says Maund. a legacy, just with his conespecially math. Maund “He loved being in school nections to people and how adds Newman was some- — he was very, very rarely he’s changed their lives, and that makes me really one the students respected, away.” Newman’s daughter proud, my sister as well.” and thanked, because he For anyone wishing to put so much time and effort Louesa Byrne, who is 32 into helping them improve and now lives in Vancouver, express their condolences, says people her age from a book is available to sign their studies. He also helped with the Valley still remember in the school foyer. The celnumerous extracurricu- her dad teaching them ebration is open to all. writer@comoxvalleyrecord.com lar activities at the school. years ago.
❝
❞
Spring Stock H Has Arrived!
Toyota MAKE YARD WORK M RK
QUICK & EASY SY cmykQ
GREAT SAVINGS
29995
$
MSRP $329.95
HS 45 Gas Hedge g Trimmer
#1 Selling Brand Ask our friendly staff for more product information or a in Canada!
FREE DEMONSTRATION
LIMITED TIME ONLY
14995
$
MSRP $179.95
FS 38 Gas Trimmer mer