Ronald "Nick" Gordon Chester

Surrounded by love, peacefully slipped the surly bonds of Earth on November 20th, 2011 in North Vancouver, BC. Leaving behind his beloved wife of 49 years Isobel (nee Black); his sons, Michael and partner Richard, and Geordan, wife Barbara and grandchildren, Gavin and Isla; his sisters, Isobel Woods and Joyce McLellan (Paul); sister-in-laws, Flo Chester (Thomas) and Lil Chester; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Peter and Helen Black; sister-in-law, Cathy Black; and many loving nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his mother, Jeannette, his father, Bill, his brothers, David and Alan, and brother-in-law Roger Black. Ron/Nick served in the RCAF and Canadian Forces as a Flight Lieutenant fighter-navigator and Electronic Warfare Officer for 33 years with 432, 425, and 414 Squadrons. In 1978, Nick was appointed a Member of the Order of Military Merit (MMM) by the Governor General of Canada. He was a proud member of the Ambleside Tiddlycove Lions Club and member-at-large of the Air Force Association of Canada. Nick's greatest gift to us all was his courageous and daily battle for 20 years to live with POEMS syndrome. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who cared for and loved him during his journey, including Dr. Bard, Dr. Klimo, and his nephew Steven. Nick - soar with the eagles! A celebration of his life will be upcoming in December and his final resting place will be Beechwood National Military Cemetery in Ottawa on July 28th, 2012 at 10:00am.

In honour of Nick, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Lions Gate Hospice Society are greatly appreciated http://www.lionsgatehospicesociety.org.

The Celebration of Nick's Life reception will be held at the West Vancouver Lawn Bowling on Thursday, December 29th, 2011 from 1-4 pm. We look forward to sharing many wonderful memories.