DAWS-KNOWLES, Stuart John Vere “Joe”, CPO2 (Ret’d), CD, RCN Pay Writer, RCLS
Joe passed away in Bruyère Hospice, Ottawa, ON, Friday, May 26, 2023, at the age of 83. He was born in Toronto ON, and grew up in Longueuil and Beacons field, QC. Joe was pre deceased by his beloved wife, Rosalyn (Lynn) (Cordell). He is survived by his sister, LCDR (ret’d) Sherry Richardson; daughter, Audra (Tim Brooke), London UK; son, Stuart {Gretta Hildebrandt), Salt Spring Island, BC; and three grandchildren, Cypress, Ezra and Sam.
Joe joined the RCN in October 1958, as a Pay Writer. In his 34 years in the Navy, he had 18 postings between ships and shore. According to him, his most interesting were HMCS BONAVENTURE-VS880 Squadron as their Pay Writer; HMCS HOCHELAGA, Montreal, QC, during the FLQ crisis; and to the Canadian Defense Liaison Staff (CDLS) London, UK; (1967 to 1970). Then it was back to sea for the next nine years. 1979-1987 he was at National Defense Medical Centre (NDMC); Canadian Forces Publication Depot as Comptroller from 1982-1985; New Ship borne Aircraft Project until June of 1987.
Then he was posted to CFB SHILO as Commanding Officer of the Finance Company and Base Internal Audit Officer. He spent three years there as Sergeant Major in Naval uniform with, as he called it, “a funny stick”. His debut as a Sergeant Major included a base parade: he took one look at the assembled troops, forgot his appropriate order, reverted to Basic Naval training, and yelled “DIVISIONS HO” and they all came to attention! He never took another parade!!!
Retiring in August 1992, he became very active in his community of Ottawa as a mentor for AA; very active in Masonry, reaching to Past Master of his Lodge and then becoming a Shriner (Tunis Temple). He will be sadly and sorely missed by all who knew him and especially Julie, Lloyd and Jacques and many others who supported him in his final years, and the members of his “adopted” parish of French Village, NS.
According to his wishes there will be no funeral or celebration of life. Cremation has been carried out through First Memorial Funeral Home, Ottawa, ON. Burial will be at sea on Battle of Atlantic Sunday-first Sunday in May 2024 when he and Lynn will be ‘Committed to the Deep’.
Donations in his memory may be made to Cancer Research Society; or Shearwater Aviation Museum Foundation, Box 99000 STN Forces; Halifax, NS B3K 5X5 or your charity of choice. Condolence messages may be sent to Sherry Richardson: tagus@ns.sympatico.ca