Andrew "Monte" Claremont Moffat
January 18th, 2017
L.Col. (Retired) Andrew “Monte” Claremont Moffat CD, MEM, ESM(AB), ACP(ret)
Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, RMC (2981)
March 26, 1927 - January 18, 2017
L.Col. (retired) Andrew Claremont “Monte” Moffat passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 18, 2017, at his home in Red Deer, Alberta. His wife, Daphne; children, Andrew, Trish, Kate, Chris and Ian (deceased) survive him along with 11 grandchildren, Michael, Andrew, Gordon, Geoff, Daphne, Matt, Robb, Katharine, Candice, David and Tyler and 11 great grandchildren, Jeremy, Mackenzie, Abigail, Leah, Mikayla, Calia, Jace, Andrew, Jackson, Ryleigh and Kiah.
Monte was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1927. His first conscious memories are of the struggles during the Great Depression. He joined the Canadian military in 1947 and served until 1977. Highlights of his military career include service in the Korean War. He instructed the OCP 60 - 61 Course for artillery officers, which resulted in a lifelong relationship with 16 graduates that formed a family that endured until his passing. He was the CO of the 1SSM Battery and wrote a book on the Canadian Government’s response to the FLQ Crisis, which was seized by the Canadian Forces.
After his retirement in 1977, he and Daphne became ranchers for 12 years, establishing a Finn-Suffolk breed of sheep. During this period, a number of deaths in the Caroline, Alberta district were attributed to a lack of ambulance services. Monte lobbied for the province to provide the service and when they rejected his request, Monte raised the funds and presented the Ambulance to the town of Caroline. After the district refused to accept the financial responsibilities of a service they deemed unnecessary, Andrew and Daphne created a cooperative using their own money and raising funds from the community. In addition, Andrew and Daphne offered to manage the ambulance volunteer service. Andrew became the first registered EMT in the province, registration number 2, while Daphne’s number was 8. As an EMT, he and his son Chris gave First Aid and CPR classes at the local high school. He became an Advanced Paramedic at the age of 74 and in July 1995, he received the Inaugural Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada.
Monte was an active member of the local Korean Veterans Association (KVA). The KVA is comprised primarily of members who served in the Canadian Armed Forces (Navy, Army, Air Force) in Korea during the 1950-1953 war and on peacekeeping duties in Korea from 1953 to 1955. He also spoke to a new generation about the meaning of Remembrance Day, service to country and sacrifice.
Concurrently with all of this, Andrew remained an active member in the Royal Canadian Legion, where he served in every executive position at least once. In recognition of his service and commitment to community, Andrew received the Meritorious Service Medal.
He began writing his 6 volume memoirs in 2006 and at the time of his death he had published 92 books. Autobiographical and historical fiction, his books tell of Canada’s growth into a nation. His humour, integrity and love of country resonate in every word. His service to Canada, community, friends and family was unending and he will be sorely missed by all. Ubique.
For full details on the life of Monte: http://moffatbooks.com/.
Another hero lost, but never to be forgotten!
Messages:
tears stream down my face, i love you pops, you left my life and now you are gone. i miss you. deep inside some hide their light, but not you(life), sweet flower . flowers gather the light, grow and radiate it out into the world. love begets love peace and love
There are those friends that we wish would simply always be there; Monte was one of them. I have had the privilege of knowing him and his family, and I am thankful for that. He was instrumental in guiding me to a path that led to a fine career, and his words of encouragement and wisdom over the years have been most welcome. Sylvie and I offer Daphne, her children and all of their loved ones our most heartfelt condolences. You are in our thoughts and prayers in this difficult time. Trust that Monte’s legacy will live on in those of us that were influenced by his kindness and generosity. A good soul has left us, but fine memories remain. René.
Dear Daphne, It is such a privilege to have known you and Andrew and been able to call you friends. I want you to know that I grieve with you at Andrews passing. If that is anything can do to help you in any way please call me. Love Viggo
I had the pleasure of meeting LCol Moffat during his visit to Ottawa, where he gifted the Canadian War Museum with copies of his memoirs, which are as illuminating as they are entertaining. My sincere condolences to his family.
I began observing some eaglets shortly after the death of my father earlier this year. When I first discovered the nest there were three light grey fluffy chicks. After a couple of weeks there were only two. But these two were hezlthy and hungry and grew brown feathers. They have very distictive personalities and I'm enjoying observing them as they get close to fledging. I can't tell you how often I've made a mental note to call my Dad and tell him about the eaglets, only to realize he no longer walks this earth. Funny, I always thought he'd outlive me. Larger than life, Courageous, smart, witty and very, very intelligent. He wasn't perfect but he was a lofty standard to try and emulate. Every time I'm out in nature with my camera I feel him close to me. God Bless.