F/L JUSTIN A.L. LING
May 2, 1923 - July 21, 2008
Justin Alfred Leonard Ling, age 85, won't be shopping at Eaton's tomorrow.
As long as any of us can remember, that was Mom's sly and gentle euphemism for the final curtain in life, and it seems fitting that we announce Dad's passing that way. He'd appreciate the opportunity to make us smile one more time through our tears.
Justin was born May 2, 1923, in Saskatoon, Sakatchewan. A skilled pilot, he was selected by the R.C.A.F. to train airmen during the war, both in Canada and in England.
While Dad's accomplishments stand on their own - a 25 year career as a fighter pilot trainer with the Canadian Armed Forces, followed by a second career as owner of a successful small real estate company, Ling Realty - it is impossible to talk about Justin Ling without in the same breath talking about his lifelong friend, partner, and wife, Mary. The two were quiet literally inseparable - golfing together, curling together, raising a famiy, running a business, bickering, laughing, mercilessly teasing one another, travelling side-by-side through a rich and textured life; two halves of a beautiful whole.
Justin Ling was - and he would tell you this - a wonderfully imperfect man. He smoked, he drank, he swore. But he was generous, playful, funny, strong, and an irrepressible tease. He taught six children about the value of family and the power of fierce and devoted love, lessons we still hold dear and try our best to practice in our lives.
Justin is survived by his wife, Mary, and five childen: Denise Wheeler (Robert), Kathryn Naud (Claude), Barbara Kelman (Craig), Nils (Joyce), and Andrea Campbell (Peter). Our brother Justin Jr. (Margaret) was taken from us earlier this year. Justin's sister Barbara Fowler and his brother Nils F. Ling both live in BC and share our loss.
We are grateful for our time with Dad, and for the time he spent delightedly teasing every one of his many grandchildren, all of whom adored him and who share in his legacy of love.