Brigadier-General
Curleigh, Brigadier-General Colin M. (Ret'd), CMM, OMM, CD - Age 81,
died peacefully Wednesday 9 August 2017 resting on his deck with his family,
overlooking his favourite view of the Minas Basin. Born in Aklavik, N.W.T., he was
the son of the late Assistant-Commissioner (RCMP) George and Jean (Stoddart)
Curleigh. He was a graduate of the College Militaire Royal de St. Jean,
Dalhousie University, the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, UK, the Command and
Staff College, Toronto and the National Defence College, Kingston. He served on
several naval ships prior to his career as a helicopter pilot. Following flight
training in Patuxent River, Maryland in 1963, he flew the first Sea King
helicopter to Shearwater. He served in four Sea King Squadrons, flew from HMCS
Bonaventure, the Canadian DDH's and had a posting in the USA flying off several
US aircraft carriers. He served on the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff
(Washington), the Directing Staff of the Staff College in Toronto, was
Commandant of the Canadian Forces Staff College, Toronto, the staff of the
Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces' Central Europe in Brunssum, The
Netherlands, Commander of the Maritime Air Group, Halifax and the Defence
Attache to the High Commissioner at the Defence Liaison Staff in London,
England. He was fondly referred to as “The Sea King” by his kids and their
friends. He was on the board of The Royal International Tattoo and President of
the Aeronautical Institute of Nova Scotia. Colin and Nancy enjoyed retirement in
Greenhill (Parrsboro) where Colin, a voracious reader, enjoyed his books and the
beauty of his surroundings. He was active in the community serving on several
boards; the Parrsborough Shore Historical Society/Ottawa House which was his
passion, the Parrsboro Band Association/The Hall, the Fundy Geological Museum
and the RCMP Advisory Board. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nancy (Melanson);
his children, George and Jen (Coyle), Vancouver; Jon, Vancouver; James and
Jackie (Brown), San Francisco and Sara (Curleigh) Parsons, London, England; his
beloved “Treasures” his grandchildren, Sam, Emily, Kate, Thomas, Sarah, Chris,
Hannah, Zan, James, Ben, Scotia, Olivia, Caroline and Joshua Colin; sister, Mary
(Dick) Micklich, Idaho Falls; brother, Alan (Raymonde), Montreal; sister, Sue
(Lloyd) Kay, Moncton; brother-in-law, David Smith (Brenda), River Hebert;
sister-in-law, Dora Melanson, Hubbards; several nieces and nephews; and his
“Florence Nightingales” Debby, Brenda and Shelley. A farewell gathering will
be held at the Ottawa House, Parrsboro from 2 - 4 p.m. on Sunday 13 August 2017.
Committal will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, kindly make a
charitable donation to the Parrsborough Shore Historical Society/Ottawa House,
the Parrsboro Band Association/The Hall or to the Shearwater Aviation Museum. |
Copyright 2018
S.W. Smith and Son Ltd. E-mail:
info@smithsfuneralhome.com
Copyright 2018
S.W. Smith and Son Ltd. E-mail:
info@smithsfuneralhome.com |