Mr. Speaker, it is my extreme honour to take the floor today to pay tribute to someone I knew and loved. When I start to describe his life, I think members will find it extraordinary that such a brave war hero continued to be so busy in his community. Peter Godwin Chance died April 19 at 103 years old.
I cannot begin to tell colleagues about his exploits as a naval commander in the war, surviving a sinking by German subs, involved in the Dunkirk evacuation, D-Day, and then the Korean War. Over and over again, he served his country and his king with such distinction. I have to tell my friends in this place about one of the things he said kept him going. When he hit 100, he said, “Well, longevity is a case of luck and the occasional belt of scotch.”
I also have to say that this was a man who loved life. He will be missed.