Obituary of William David Gaynel McCaw

McCAW - W. D. Gaynel McCaw, born March 12, 1917 in Lampman Saskatchewan, died peacefully on June 23, 2007 in Tsawwassen, BC having reached his 90th year. Throughout his life he was described by all as a warm and generous friend, a caring father, a loving husband, and, above all, as a gentleman. Gaynel (also known as Wally? to his kriegie friends) grew up in Fort QuAppelle, SK in a family of six children: older brother, Les, in Saskatoon, and youngest, Del, in Sidney, BC. He was predeceased by his sisters, Edy, Bee and Fran. In 1938, Gaynel joined the RAF as pilot in torpedo bomber Squadron 22, flying in combat until he was shot down in 1941. He spent the remaining four years of the war in POW camps, including Stalug Luft III where he participated in the activities later known as The Great Escape. These difficult years resulted in rich and enduring friendships that nourished him for the rest of his life. He was active for many years in the kreigie network, organizing a highly successful world-wide POW reunion in Regina in 1975. Following the war, he returned to Saskatchewan where he married Mearl Draper and they raised Kim (Linda Huffman) and Anne (Michael Rekis). Grandchildren were a special joy in their lives: Patrick, Maggie, Courtenay and Abbey. Sadly, Mearl passed away in 2003 and Gaynel moved to Tsawwassen to be near Anne and family. Educated at U of S and McGill, Gaynel achieved his MSW and worked as a social worker in the Departments of Social Welfare, the National Parole Service, Indian Affairs and the Department of Regional Economic Expansion. He served as President of the SASW, having founded the Prince Albert branch in 1956. Following retirement, his passion was directed towards building a beautiful cedar home at Diefenbaker Lake, where he and Mearl, plus children and grandchildren, spent numerous summers enjoying fishing, golf, friends and family. A Memorial Service will be held at All Saints Anglican Church, 142 Massey Road on Thursday, August 2, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be sent to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan, 2360 " 2nd Avenue, Regina S4R 1A6, or to a charity of your choice. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.speersfuneralchapel.com