Obituary of Alfred Churchill

CHURCHILL, Alfred - Peacefully and with family by his side, Alfred (Al) Churchill passed away on Saturday, March 28th 2020. Al was born in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, England in 1922, and would have been 98 years old this coming April 15th. Al’s death came gently towards him and was as gracious and dignified as his life was. We are grateful that he was able to see the reflection of his life’s kindness and beauty in the time spent during our final days together. Al will always be lovingly remembered by his children; Paul (Shirley), Christopher, Kevin (Morag), Margaret Ann (Allan) and Michael. He will be held forever in the hearts of his grandchildren whom he adored; Keith, Stephen (Zoë), Laura (Nick), Jimmy (Nina), Siobhan (Anna), Sarah, Margaret Rose, Maya, and Ethan. He will be a brand new guardian angel for his first great-grandchild, August. He is predeceased by his faithful loving wife and best friend for 35 years, Margaret Mary (Ross) (1991), his father, Henry (1923), his mother, Mary (1951), and siblings Michael (1980), Henry (1984), and Mary (2001). Al grew up at 47 Punch St. in Middlesbrough, in one of the poorest areas of the city. When reflecting on those early years, Al reminisced fondly how much his mother’s love protected him from the troubles in the neighbourhood. His faith and strong spirit guided him in all that he did, and remained strong throughout his life. Al volunteered for the British Army at the age of 17, and fought bravely in World War II in Belgium and France. After the War, Al entered Nursing school where he met Margaret, the love of his life. They were married and immigrated to Canada in 1958. They both served their entire careers as Registered Nurses at Sarnia General Hospital. Devout Catholics, Al and Margaret were actively involved in St. Peters Parish, Sarnia. A dedicated volunteer, Al spent many years cooking and serving meals at the Inn of the Good Shepherd. Al loved classical music and opera, and he passed his passion for music, books and learning on to his children and grandchildren. His favourite evenings were those spent having a meal with his family, followed by watching the hockey game. Al was a faithful fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The family would like to thank the staff, doctors and nurses in the Palliative Care unit at Bluewater Health for their compassionate care and kindness shown to Al in his final days. A funeral mass and celebration of Al’s life will take place at a later date. Al was a faith-filled Catholic with a passion for social justice, and he can be remembered in many ways. His favourite devotions were saying the Rosary and the Way of the Cross, and he would love to be remembered in these or any personal prayers. Arrangements entrusted to the McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 519-344-3131. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Palliative Care program of the Bluewater Health Foundation, 89 Norman St., Sarnia, N7T 6S3 or the Inn of the Good Shepherd, 115 John St., Sarnia, N7T 2Z1. Messages of condolence & memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com