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
Dearest Carmel and Family,
A most gentle, kind, charitable, generous, and faith-filled man has made the final flight home into the arms of our loving God.
May you be consoled by the love and memories that you hold in your hearts and believe, as Clive did, that life has not ended just changed.
Well done, good and faithful servant and may you forever enjoy the reward you so well deserved.
Please accept my love, condolences and prayers.
Jay MacDonald
To my most loved friend, Carmel, to Michael, Colleen, Bonnie and Randy, words will never convey to you all how having met and knowing Clive since Comox days was a gift to me and my sons. Not many people are privileged in their lifetime to know a person who was the very essence of gentleness, kindness, humility family man extraordinaire. Knowing Clive was to reinforce the knowledge that there are, indeed, very good people in the world. I know he is watching over you all still with all those qualities that endeared him to so many. Another butterfly for the heavens.
Our thoughts are with you Carmel and your family at this sad time. Clive will be missed – he was a kind and loving person. From Christine, Vanessa and Stephen
BGen ( retd ) Brian Cameron
Dear Carmel and family:
After reading all of the fine comments, and I would endorse them all, I would add a personal anecdote concerning the relocation of the Loader family from Comox to Victoria. Clive and I had several discussions about moving a large family to an increasingly high priced area. In the end Clive and family made the move out of a well established sense of duty and he applied his talents with the same dedication that he brought to all his assignments. Carmel, thanks to you and the family for sharing him.
Dear Carmel and Loader Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you now as you mourn the loss of your husband and father. I came to know him only in the past few years at Holy Cross and enjoyed his company very much. I know he is now in heaven with Our Lord.
Warm regards,
Mary Finnegan
Dear Carmel & family.
We are so sad to hear of Clive’s passing. As your neighbours in Gimli we have fond memories of your friendship. We extend our deepest sympathy to you all.
Dear Carmel, Colleen and family
Chris and I were saddened to hear of Clive’s passing. He was such an integral part of our neighborhood
whilst living on Fieldmont Court. He was a gentle soul who always had time to listen and care about those around him. He had an infectious laugh and always a twinkle in his eye. He took the time to chat to our boys and took an interest in their every endeavor. We have many wonderful memories of Clive as I am sure you do. May these wonderful memories give you some joy in the coming months as you grieve your loss. We are thinking of you.
With our love, Chris and Alex Spicer
Dear Carmel and family,
We were so sorry to hear of Clive’s passing. It’s been awhile, Carmel, but we have fond memories of you, Clive and the Loader children, our dear neighbours from Greenwood, NS. Clive was the epitome of an RCAF officer, a gentleman a loving family man and community minded, caring person. We remember his warm ready smile, inquisitive nature and ready, positive attitude. He loved nature and during his Peacekeepng Tour in Vietnam we looked forward to his detailed articles in the Base paper regarding the beauty of nature and the positive aspects of life he encountered in that country. The Loader annual Christmas letter was a treat to receive and was always chock full of joy, family and their activities. Carmel, it was a privilege to have known Clive, an outstanding, dedicated individual who loved his family, community and Country. We will all miss him. Affectionately,
Lloyd and Mary-Lou
My sincere condolences to the family. I worked with Clive on 404 Sqn and with the ICCS in Vietnam, where he was ever sympathetic to the poverty and suffering which we encountered. He was just an all round great humane being. May he rest in peace.
Col (Ret’d) Moe Gates
Dear Carmel & family my association with Clive were few while we were serving on 404 Squadron in Greenwood. I knew him to be an excellent officer and outstanding Maritime airman. I also remember Bonnie & randy when you all lived just across the street from Francie & me in the Greenwood married quarters. We never had the privilege of serving together again but I often heard from others and know that his service continued right to the end in best form.
My sincere condolences on your loss.