(George Cecil) Irving Tait

May 12th, 1939 ~ February 29th, 2016

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Irv passed away suddenly in the early hours of Monday, February 29, 2016 at the age of 76. He is survived by his daughter Beverly (Ron) MacLeod, 2 grandsons, Andrew and Michael Ruffell, brother Alf (Peggy), sisters Rita (Doug), Joan (Allen), Zita (Wayne), Peggy (Raymond) and Inez (Bill), and over 100 extended family members. He is predeceased by his wife Edda (2013), brothers Lawrence (Annetta), Gerald (Agnes), Francis (Minnie), and sister Patricia. Born in Pembroke and raised in Stonecliffe, Ontario, he was the youngest son of 12 children born to Joseph and Florence Tait. He loved to tell tales about his boyhood: climbing forest fire watch-towers, playing hockey on the Ottawa River, and being a hunting guide for the Montreal Canadiens. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1957 and trained as a teletype technician, eventually achieving the rank of (Acting) Master Sergeant and leading Communications units before retiring from the Canadian Armed Forces in 1986. He met and married Edda Muller at CFB Edgar (Orillia, Ontario) in 1961 and they had one daughter. His military career took his family across Canada and overseas to Lahr, Germany. He was particularly proud of European assignments in Sicily and London.  He also did a six-month peacekeeping tour of duty in Egypt. After leaving the Forces he moved to Kamloops, BC, where he spent 20 years as a security officer at Thompson River University.  He had a strong circle of friends in Kamloops, but made the choice to start again in Regina in 2007 to bring his ailing wife closer to their daughter and grandsons. He was a practical problem solver, applying this skill to repairing cars, small engines, appliances, electronics, and just about anything electrical. He also discovered an aptitude for home renovation.  He loved to make wise-cracks, could make small-talk with anyone, and was willing to lend a hand wherever he could.   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.  A Celebration of his Life will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2016 at 1:30 pm in Riverside Memorial Cemetery Chapel.

Messages:

Sincere condolences on your loss, Deb & family

Deborah Marsh, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Bev, So sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Joyce Rosenfeld, Regina, SK, Canada

Bev, from your telephone call to me on Monday evening to tell me of Uncle Irving's passing, and the e-mails that we have shared this past week, please know that we are thinking of all of you during this time. I wished I lived a little closer so that I could personally give you a big hug. If you can make the Stonecliffe memorial happen, just know that we are all here to help you. And yes, your Dad was right!!

Karen & Vince Lubbers, Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada

Our deepest condolences on the passing of Uncle Irving. Bill McQuirter (Jr) & family.

Bill McQuirter, Stittsville, ON, Canada

Bev, Ron and family, Sorry to hear of the loss of your father/grandfather. May you find comfort in fond memories.

Fred and Mariann Wagner, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad. Although we haven't met I feel I know you through the stories your dad and my dad (Gerry) told us and the pictures my dad showed us. The Tait family book brings back a lot of memories. The last time I saw your dad was in Feb. 2009 at my dad's funeral. Uncle Irving was a very caring person. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time...Brenda Tait

Brenda Tait, Wawa, Ontario, Canada

Bev and family sending my condolences to you all. So saddened by the sudden passing of Uncle Irving.

Jeannette Mulligan nee Tait, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Our deepest sympathy too you & your family. Earl went too school with your Dad & met up with him last summer had a good chat Very shocked too hear he had passed same age as Earl

Earl & Sybil Francoeur, Mackey, Ontario, Canada

Very fond memories of my uncle. My condolences to all my relatives in the West. Shane and Sherry McQuirter. Renfrew .

Shane Mcquirter, Renfrew, Ontario, Canada

Our thoughts and prayers go to our niece, Bev, her sons, Andrew & Michael and husband Ron on the loss of their father and grandfather. Irving was a great brother growing up. I remember our early days in Stonecliffe when he would start a fire beside Smith's Lake for us all to warm our feet while skating. It certainly was nice to have him home this summer and get to spend some time with him. We will keep you all in our prayers for the heavy days ahead. Love, Aunt Inez

Inez McQuirter, Golden Lake, Ontario, Canada

My deepest condolences to you Bev, Ron, Andrew, and Michael on the loss of your father. It was pleasure to see him again at aunt Rita's 90th birthday party and had the pleasure of getting a picture of him and aunt Inez as they are my godparents. Take care and all the best

Kathy Duquette, North Bay, On, Canada

Bev, Ron, Andrew and Micheal Sending our condolences to you all. Shocked and saddened to hear about Uncle Irving. We were so glad that we got to spend some time with him these past two summers. We had a great day out at our trailer with him, mom (Peggy) and Aunt Joan last summer. It was so nice that he was able to come to Aunt Rita's 90th birthday party as well. Coming so soon after your moms passing must make it especially hard. We will be keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers in the difficult days ahead. If you ever find yourselves in Ontario, we would be so pleased to see you all. Hugs to all Sheila

Sheila (Cook) Curtis, Deep River, Ontario, Canada

Our thoughts and prayers are with Bev and her family during the loss of her father. God Bless.

Zita & Wayne Valliquette, Deep River, Ontario, Canada

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