Clive Gerald Loader passed away peacefully at the start of Victoria’s annual flower count. He was happiest outdoors wandering in the natural beauty, enjoying the flowers, trees, and especially the butterflies and birds. Born in Burma in 1933, the youngest child of Grace and Walter Loader, Clive had a childhood surrounded by an abundance of nature. When the family had to escape to India as the war grew closer, he continued to appreciate the natural world around him. In later years he said the memories of his childhood days in Landour in the lower Himalaya would refresh his soul. He shared stories of a glade with a clear sparkling spring filled with Maidenhead ferns, of a bush covered in iridescent jewel beetles that took his breath away, and of the gorgeous, translucent blue butterflies that took flight when he approached.
In 1946 Clive moved with his family to the Isle of Man where he finished high school by correspondence. At seventeen he joined the RAF and flew fighters, but excited by the better jets that Canada had to offer, transferred to the RCAF. While stationed in Germany he met Carmel MacDonald, the love of his life, who was teaching on the base. They married in 1962 and returned to Canada a few years later. Clive served in the Air Force for his entire career and spent many years flying patrol aircraft on both coasts.
Clive didn’t stop serving after retiring from the Air Force. Through his parish, Holy Cross Catholic Church, he visited the sick and shut-ins, chauffeured parishioners to church, served on the Parish Council, and lovingly cared for the church gardens for many years. He also led ecumenical services at the Berwick House and Cedars retirement homes. Clive had numerous other volunteering activities, including serving meals at the 9-10 Club soup kitchen for almost two decades; delivering Meals on Wheels; canvassing for the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and serving on the executive for the Aircrew Association. Clive will be remembered for his life of service to others.
Clive passed away on March 3, 2021 at Broadmead Veterans Memorial Lodge in Victoria. He is survived by his wife Carmel, his children Michael, Bonnie, Colleen, and Randy, his sister Laurel on the Isle of Man, his grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews around the world. Clive was predeceased by his son Stevie, his brother Harley, and his sisters Monica and Pam.
Clive was a wonderful husband and father and is remembered by his children and family as loving, patient, wise, and humorous. As a friend said, “Clive left the world a better place than he found it.” Clive, we all love you so dearly and will miss you daily. Please walk with us as we journey on.
The family would like to thank the Broadmead staff for their wonderful care of Clive in spite of the added pandemic stress. Due to COVID restrictions, there will be a private funeral mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church followed by a private burial at Royal Oak Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, those who desire may consider a donation to the World Wildlife Fund or Broadmead Veterans Memorial Lodge. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
39 Responses
Dear Carmel and family, as a member of the Aircrew Association, I had many occasions for joining with Clive in our events and was always impressed by his sincere contributions, such as our annual program of speaking to schools that had Veteran Remembrance hours. We will miss Clive’s participation. I extend my condolences.
Sorry to hear of the passing of Clive ,what a great guy he was . I knew him well , having flown with him many times &Skiing with him in the alps while stationed with him on 440 squadron at 3 Wing in Zweibrucken Germany . While there I also met this wonderful lady Carmel who was a teacher there . When I found out they had been married , I thought ‘ what a wonderful couple’ . After our retirement , my wife Dolores & I visited with them many times when we came out to Victoria as I was playing in an old timers hockey tournament.
Condolences to Carmel & family from Jim & Dolores Terry
Dear Carmel and Family,
We are so sad to hear of your loss. You were blessed with him as your husband and father: we were blessed to know him as a friend. We will miss him.
Al and Lucie Pearce
Dear Carmel and family,
We were very sorry to hear that Clive passed away. We all have very fond memories of him, the stories he would tell and his much anticipated Christmas letters to catch us up on all of your news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Love from Colin, Jan, Claire and Gillian.
Dear Carmel and family,
So sorry to hear of Clive’s passing, he was a wonderful person, I will always remember when you came to visit us in Nova Scotia, I believe you were at our house for your 75th birthday. It was always a pleasure to go and visit you on our visits to Victoria. Clive will be remembered by us always. Our love and prayers
So very, very sad to hear of Clive’s passing. Clive was,to me,”gentleman” personified; I have met few who could surpass his kind and gentle manner. I had the pleasure of flying with him on the East Coast, a remarkably gifted aviator who made it all look somehow, easy, and I was glad to renew that acquaintance, if so ever briefly, through the monthly meetings of the VI Aircrew Association. RIP my friend, – tailwinds and clear skies forever!
Dear Carmel
Warm wishes for you during this trying time of grieving.
The death of Clive is a sad reality but I know he was highly regarded by Paul & many others as a gentleman & Officer.
We married at Zweibrucken 12/05/62 , close to your date. Paul died Aug.8/15.. Blessings
Margaret Priske San Diego
We mourn the loss of a true gentle man. We know he rests with God. He will be missed by so many.
Sadly, Darlene & Tony
Dear Carmel and Colleen and family,
We are so very sorry to hear of Clive’s passing. We’ve missed seeing him these last few years on Fieldmont Court, and these last 12 months at church. JJ always looked forward to the chance to exchange the latest Formula 1 gossip with Clive, and we will all miss his kind and inquisitive nature. We were always amazed that he would always ask about RuthAnne and Catherine’s athletic endeavours – speed clearly mattered to him! We feel very fortunate to have known him. We had a lovely visit with the other neighbours on the cul-de-sac today, remembering him very fondly.
Love from JJ, Jo, RuthAnne and Catherine
Dear Carmel and family,
Clive was one of my favorite Holy Cross people, for his long-time caring of the gardens, and for his always welcoming smile and hello. His presence will be missed.