Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I pay tribute to Robert Cottingham, whose funeral service is this afternoon. Bob Cottingham epitomizes what makes a great Canadian. He bravely fought for his country and dedicated himself to building a better nation through community service.
Bob served as a bomber pilot during the Second World War, flying the four-engine Stirling bomber. Captain Cottingham flew an astounding 41 missions during the Battle of Britain, when the average tour of duty was only 24. Bob continued to fly missions until the war was over.
After the war, Bob returned to Manitoba to farm and raise his family, and he continued to serve. He was an active lifelong member of the Teulon and District Agricultural Society, the Chamber of Commerce and the Royal Canadian Legion. Bob always had a smile and a kind word. He never complained, even though his feet had been frozen numerous times as a bomber pilot and pained him greatly in his latter years.
As a sign of my admiration and our country's appreciation, I presented Bob with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal last year. Captain Robert Cottingham was a Canadian hero who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.