Bernard "Pat" Jean Clermont

One of 5 boys born to Eveline and Albert Clermont, Pat grew up in Pointe Claire, Quebec. Between school, sports and misadventure, helping out at the family lumber yard occupied most of his time. A yearning to serve country called him away from Sir George Williams University and into the Royal Canadian Navy at the young age of 19. As a deck sailor aboard the aircraft carrier HMCS Magnificent, Pat became interested in aviation and after four years touring the world’s oceans and seas he signed up in 1951 for flight training and shortly afterwards earned his RCAF wings.

Flying was Pat’s life. Whether mapping the Arctic in a converted Lancaster bomber or ferrying supplies to Tokyo in a North Star to support the Korean War effort, any mission was an adventure. An even bigger adventure began in 1953 when Pat and Helen Grace Graham were married and started a family. Like military precision, little ones arrived in 1955 (Diane), 1956 (Robert), 1957 (Bernie) and again in 1961 (Julie). While mom tended the young ones, flying was still a passion which Pat continued to do with Air Transport Command until retirement in 1972. His proudest moment in military aviation came in 1970 when he captained a crew to support the Peruvian earthquake disaster. Flying high into the Andes with Caribou aircraft, the crews landed on gravel runways to bring critical supplies to survivors and emergency personnel. For these efforts, he and four other officers received Peru's highest military aviation decoration, the Cruz Peruana al Merito Aeronautico.

Continuing in the aviation field, Pat joined the Ministry of Transport and was involved in air transport regulation and certification in Montreal and Ottawa until his final “real” retirement in 1992.

After Helen’s passing in 1990, Pat found his second life partner in Marie Mercier-Hook. Together they wintered in Florida for many years. Upon return to Ottawa, Pat would frequent the Hylands golf course 3 or 4 times weekly and was a fixture there until he played his last game in his 90th year.

Pat leaves behind a solid legacy of 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren along with extended family and many friends. We are saddened for the loss but take faith in looking back at a life that would be the envy of many.

To honor Pat’s wishes, a celebration of life and interment in Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec will be held towards the summer.

Thanks go out to the staff at Manotick Place Retirement Residence where dad spent his last year.