WATCH: Reporter Elaine Yong has the remarkable story of how Walter Pickersgill’s remains were rediscovered and finally honoured.
A long-delayed memorial was held in Mission today for a Canadian World War II veteran, who died back in 1981.
Walter Pickersgill joined the army in 1940 and served in Europe.
Later, he became the commander of the Seaforth Regiment Militia and rose to the rank of captain in the Royal Canadian Infantry Corp.
After he left the service he moved to Mission, and became a well-loved and respected high school English teacher.
Pickersgill, who referred to his students as Miss and Mister, taught at Mission Secondary for more than two decades.
He died in 34 years ago, but due to a mix-up at the funeral home, his cremated remains were stored there all this time.
Former student Sandy Maguire was the one who spotted his name in an ad for disposition of unclaimed cremated remains three months ago.
She knew she had to do something to honour him. So his story has found new life, bringing together former classmates and his extended family in today’s long overdue memorial service.
“Today was meant to be,” says Maguire. “Because he has a large family today. I know he is looking down on us and he is filling with pride, watching for dangling participles and misplaced modifiers, but nonetheless he would be very pleased with what we have done for him today.”
With files from Elaine Yong
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