Humble, LCdr Cecil Hobson “Jack”, CD2
September 20, 1920 – March 18, 2009
Born in Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. Joined the Royal Navy as a Ganges Boy at the age of fourteen and became a commissioned Gunner in May 1945. Emigrated to Canada in 1956, and transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy as a Gunnery Officer (Lt). Postings included Gunnery School (Osborne Head) 1956-58; JONQUIERE 1958-60; and VENTURE 1960-66, where he helped develop the Sunset Ceremony and survival training at EXPED. Promoted to LCdr, he was posted to the Bos’n School (Cornwallis) in 1966, followed by Seamanship Division at Fleet School (Halifax) in 1968. Served as Base Social Conditions and Welfare Officer (Stadacona) 1968-70 during the KOOTENAY disaster. Retired to Victoria in Feb 1971 after 37 years of naval service.
Following his retirement from the Navy, he dedicated his life to the service of others as a volunteer; and worked as a Social Worker with the City of Victoria and the BC Provincial Government. Recognized for his 35 years of tireless dedication and leadership in the Boy Scouts of Canada, rising to the level of Assistant Provincial Commissioner. Established and served Fairfield New Horizons as the Musical Coordinator and Director of the Weekly Fairfield Sing-Along for 12 years.
Predeceased by wife Joy (Dunn) in 2005. Survived by son Christopher (Shelley) of Victoria, BC; grandchildren Jade of Calgary; Craig (Shima) of Tokyo; Amber (Clayton Mulholland) of Courtenay, BC (great grandchildren Owl, Coyote and Raven); son Cdr. Robert of Halifax, NS; grandchildren Arwen of Pensacola FL (great grandchildren Bronwen and Atticus), Linnet of Fredericton, Elspeth, Meade, and Rowan of Halifax; Survived by brother George; nephew Deric (Marie); and brother John (Patricia) of Toronto, ON.
Visitation will be held on Monday 23 March 2009, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM, at McCall’s Funeral Directors, 1400 Vancouver St., Victoria, BC.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM, on Tuesday 24 March 2009, at Fairfield United Church, 1303 Fairfield Rd., Victoria, BC. Reception will follow.
In memory of Jack, donations can be made to the “Keep a Song in Your Heart” music program at the Fairfield Activity Centre, 380 Cook St. Victoria, BC V8V 3X7; a community organization to which Jack devoted his retirement years.
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Kathryn Guthrie
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Marilyn {Miller} Brittain Sorry to hear of your Dad”s passing,my thoughts and prayrers are with you and your family at this . Marilyn {Miller}Brittain
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Kerry Robertson When I began attending Fairfield United, Jack was one of the people I noticed right away. I enjoyed hearing him in the choir, and then looked for him at his “regular” spot near the front of the church. Each Remembrance Day Jack put on his uniform and stood with the flag to honour those who were no longer there. It was such a moving sight, and so important for our congregation, which has so many generations.
Each Sunday, as the sun comes through the stained glass he commissioned for the church, I will remember his dedication and commitment to making this world better.
Kerry Robertson and family
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Fred, Maggie, Diana, Michael Cooper Jack’s character, intellect, enthusiasm and sea knowledge made him an exceptional Scout leader and inspiration to the boys fortunate enough to have him as leader. We will always be grateful for his leadership and friendship and we will miss him greatly. If people live on in memory after their passing, Jack and Joy must be nearly immortal.
May you, his family, whom he held so dear, find comfort for your loss in knowing how great was his influence on the generations of boys he led in the scouting movement.
Sail on, Jack, and Joy, sail on!
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Bryan,Robin and Dwane Mee . To the Humble Family
Bryan,Robin and son Dwane send our condolences to your family.
We worked with Jack when our Son Dwane was part of Jack’s 8th Fort Victoria Scouts and Ventures. Jack and his wife Joy were great teachers and they will be truly missed.
His smile always made one feel good about the day.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Bryan, Robin and Dwane Mee
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Daniel Saumure & Pamela Simper Robert and Family:
Our deepest sincere sympathy for your great loss.
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Sarah McMillan (formerly Campbell) Robert:
My prayers are with you as you reflect upon your father’s full life and his unfortunate passing. May you find comfort in knowing that he is in a better place. Please accept my condolences.
Sarah
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Darren Ward To Mr. Humble’s,
It is with a sadden heart that I write this to you, my deepest condolences to the family. Mr. Humble, I still can’t call him by his first name even though he told I was old enough to, had a great influence on my life as did his wife Joy. I remember several walks at camp Barnard with Akela learning the different plant life and trees and several years learning the ways of the sea as a Sea Scout and Venturer with 8th Fort Victoria at Fairfield United Church.
I have so many memories of his teachings, his strictness and his laugh. But my fondest memory was at a sailing regatta cooking pancakes with him. I could not flip them to save my life and he noticed I was using my left hand. He reached into the camp gear and handed my a “left-handed spatula” and to my amazement it worked. It wasn’t until I was doing dishes (with him) that I realized it was the same as the other one I was using. Mr. Humble just looked at me and laughed when I figured it out.
He was a man, teacher, counsellor and friend.
Darren Ward
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Terry Stofer I am so sorry to hear of Jack’s death. I will always remember Jack with fondness. We worked together for many years at the Fairfield Human Resources office during the 1970’s/1980’s, along with Bob Moar, Vi Berrisford, Gwen Lundy, Mary Anna McKay. As a team we had our ups and downs but I remember that Jack always tried to keep our spirits high. He was truly an officer and a gentleman. I had the pleasure of meeting him unexpectedly in Cook Street Village about 6 months ago and it was so nice to chat and have a hug. He had just given up his car that day, I believe. I am sure you will all miss him very much. He has bettered the lives of many people and you can be proud of him in the midst of your grief. I am so sorry that I won’t be able to attend his funeral service. My sincerest sympathy to each of you.
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Rowan Humble Thanks for everything grandpa. I never met you, but i somehow knew you were always there for me. I love you.
Now grandpa is in a better place.
My thoughts go out to everyone who knew him, and loved him.
-Ro
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Christian Kowalski The Lord is my pilot, I shall not drift;
He lighteth my track across dark waters;
He steereth me in the deep channels;
He keepeth my log;
He guideth me by the evening star for my safety’s sake.
Yea, though I sail ‘mid the thunders and tempest of death, I shall dread naught, for thou art with me;
The vastness of thy sea upholds me;
Thou preparest a harbour for me in the homeport of eternity;
Thou annointest the seas with oil; my ship rides calmly;
Surely fair winds and safe harbours shall favour me on the voyage I take,
And I shall moor, fast and secure in the port of God forever.
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Marjorie Bennett Jack was always such a pleasant and respectful person to be around
He always had a smile on his face. The picture in the paper was just the way I will always remember him. I am sorry for your loss. People like him are a big loss to the community as well as our church family.
Love to you and your families
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Bill & Marilyn Cleal Robert,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Our sincere condolences on your Father’s passing
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Kevin Meehan Robert and all members of the Humble family,
Please accept my most sincerest condolences during your time of great sorrow. Robert, your dad was an incredible man and did some wonderful things in his lifetime. He was a true leader. Pauline and I want you to know that you and all of your family are in our thoughts and prayers. God bless.
Kevin & Pauline Meehan
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Cathy Corrigan Robert and Heather,
During this time of sorrow for you and family, may you find comfort in the knowledge that your father is at peace and in the loving arms of God.
May you be eternally grateful for the time you had and the experiences you shared together and that recognize that this is not an end, but a brief pause in an eternal life together through the mercy and grace of God and his son Jesus Christ.
My heartfelt condolences, God bless all of you and may you lean on his strength during this difficult time of grief and healing,Cathy Corrigan
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Ralph and Linda Rodger and family Chris and Robert and families
We have fond memories of both your dad and mother.
They were extremely good neighbours to our family.
Besides giving part time work in their garden for all
three of ours sons they were also very caring and helpful
to them. They encouraged our sons into the “Beavers”
which your mother supported so much.
Linda and I remember Jack and Joy taking us for
supper a few times to celebrate anniversaries, etc.
We were so sad to hear of Jack’s passing.
Our sincere condolences to all your family members.
Linda and Ralph
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Ralph and Linda Rodger and family Chris and Robert and families
We have fond memories of both your dad and mother.
They were extremely good neighbours to our family.
Besides giving part time work in their garden for all
three of ours sons they were also very caring and helpful
to them. They encouraged our sons into the “Beavers”
which your mother supported so much.
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Lawrence Banks I would like to express my sincere condolances To Chris and Bobby and their families on their great loss. I had the priviledge of working with Jack for a number of years in Scouting. He was certainly an inspiraion to me and was someone I admired and looked up to. He touched my life in a very positive way and I know he enriched the lives of many others. My prayers and thoughts go out to all his family.
Sincerely,
Lawrence Banks
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Meredith Laidlaw He was a sweet man. Remember the few times that I did meet him after Scouting Sunday with the 8th Fort Victoria Scout Group, and having wonderful comversations about the group. Thanks for sharing him with the Scouting community at Fairfield United and Victoria. Victoria Scouting will not be the same without him.
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Ron Bilinsky My deepest condolences to the family for the loss of a fine man. Although I never got to personally meet and / or work with Jack, I’ve heard many positive things said about him over the years, both about his and his wife Joy’s numerous contributions to Scouting, (of which I have been a member for the last 16 years), and his work as a Social Worker, (which I have just retired from after 33 years). May your fond memories bring you peace and comfort at this time.
Sincerely
Ron Bilinsky
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Lynn Taylor Robert:
My sincere condolences on your Father’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Lynn
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Peg Ainsley I will always remember Jack’s good nature and love of music. I will cherish the guitar he bought me and the time we spent during my last visit with him. I sang to him. It was a pleasure to know him.
My heart goes out to you now as you deal with this loss. Please know I’m thinking of you and be confident that Jack is happy now.
Love to all you, Peg
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Peter & Ciel Watt Jack was our mentor and the driving force behind many young Naval Officer Cadets in the 60’s at HMCS Venture. He was always a gentleman first, and a constructive instructor second. He taught me the basics of leadership and being a good Naval Officer. This eventually lead to my Command of HMCS Oriole. Ciel and I enjoyed speaking with him for many years at the 11 th November ceremonies in dowtown Victoria, where he had his sea scouts participating. Jack was the type of person who makes a good impression on young people for life. We will miss him.
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Reed I Cudmore Dear Chris, Robert et al,
I knew your Dad was moving from his old home, so perhaps, like others, this news caught me by surprise. Such, often is the case in matters of life and death, particularly when one has lived a long and distinguished life, as your Dad did. Impressive career in the Navy; his virtues have been passed on throughout the family lines.
May God bless and sustain all of you in this time of transition and loss.
Yours most respectfully,
RI Cudmore
Chaplain(ret’d)
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Rick & Carol Weldon Robert;
Carol and I pass on our sincere condolences on the passing of you father.
Strength in faith.
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Joan and Peter Purcell We are so saddened to have received an email from Nancy Grossert to inform us of Jack’s passing.
We loved Jack very much. We are so grateful to him for the care, devotion and regard he gave to my Aunt Christine in the past few years.
He was a true gentleman, with great humour and a wonderful person to spend time with, we never tired of hearing his experiences. We had many happy visits with him during our many trips to Canada from Australia to see my aunt.
Our sincere sympathies to the Humble family.
Jack was so important to so many people, he will be well remembered.
He surely rests in peace
Dear Bob (or is it Robert now?) Chris, and all your families,
Mom sent me your dad’s obituary – so many memories, such a life lived!
I’m thinking of all of you, in all the places you find yourselves, and wishing you blessings: the comfort of memories, the healing of time, the joys of love and belonging.
With every good wish,
Kathryn