Obituary of Daniel Hugh Fairney

FAIRNEY, DANIEL H. … Died peacefully at his residence with his wife Janice by his side on 18th September. Daniel Hugh Fairney of Chamcook, NB, was born in Cardiff Wales. He was the son of the late George William & Amelia (Myles) Fairney. As a young man Daniel trained as an engineer, enrolling in an apprenticeship with James Howells in Cardiff Wales. At the age of 20 he accepted a position with the Cunard White Star Line as a Junior Engineer Officer. After his 6 months training period in Liverpool England, he then sailed on several ships of that line; including the Queen Mary. As the Cunard White Star Line carried the Royal Mail, a percentage of the crew and Officers had to be members of Royal Navy Reserves. Therefore, at the onset of World War II, he was a member of the Royal Navy. After serving on two Royal Navy ships, he was seconded to the Royal Canadian Navy. He served in the Pacific Ocean patrolling the Aleutian Islands and in the Atlantic Ocean, protecting the Merchant Ship convoys between Halifax and Briton. Every trip his ship would stop at St John’s, Newfoundland, to pick up new engineering recruits and during the return trip to the UK he had to train them so that they would be ready to serve on another Royal Canadian ship on their return to Halifax. While serving on HMCS Kootenay, the ship and crew played their part in ensuring the success of the D-Day Landings. They had to ensure that no German submarines could enter the English Channel. After the war he rejoined the Royal Canadian Navy as a Lieutenant-Commander (E). His first duty was as Engineer Officer on the trip to return the HMCS Warrior to Southampton England, as the aircraft carrier had been on loan to the Canadian Navy. In 1953 he was decorated with the Canadian Defence Medal and the following year he was given the rank of Commander (E). He spent most of his remaining years with the Royal Canadian Navy at on-shore bases, in various positions, such as Command Technical Officer and Command Engineering Officer. During this time he was given command of the HMCS Cape Breton, an apprentice training ship in Halifax. The apprentices were involved with a team building exercise that gave birth to the RCN’ first pipe band, which participated in the celebration to open the causeway to Cape Breton. While based in Halifax, Daniel and his first wife Kathleen where the founding family of a school that would become Halifax Grammar School. He went to sea one more time on HMCS Labrador, 1956-57 on an expedition to the Canadian Arctic, where, as a part of the ship’s crew; they were responsible for navigating and mapping for the first time, the trip from west to east through the Northwest Passage. He was honourably released in 1966. Shortly afterwards he was employed by the Department of National Defense as Director of the Auxiliary Fleet, charged with overseeing the patrol vessels, tug boats, fireboats and other vessels used by the Royal Canadian Navy on both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. He retired in 1981 to Chamcook to build a home on property bought in 1967. While residing in Chamcook Daniel was asked to serve as the Chairman of the Steering Committee for the possible formation of a Local Service District in Chamcook. Then he served as the first chairman of the Chamcook Local Service District. Daniel also served on the committee to establish the construction of the Memorial Wall of the St. John the Baptist Chapel of Ease in Chamcook. He was also involved with the former Saint John Frigate Program as a consultant. Surviving in addition to his wife Janice are his children: 2 sons Hugh of Cambridge, Ont, Thomas (Lisa) of Chilliwack, BC and stepson Calum Lee of Keswick Ridge, NB, 3 grandchildren, Kayley, Nicholas and Michelle, 2 step grandchildren Hunter and Carter, and many nieces and nephews. Daniel was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was predeceased by his daughter Susan, his first wife Kathleen, and his brothers and sisters, William, Maude, Dorothy, Queenie, Betty, Edwin, Molly, Arthur, Joan, Anthony, John, and Nadia. By Daniel’s request there will be no visitation. Cremation will take place followed by a memorial service in celebration of his life to be held at St. John the Baptist Chapel of Ease in Chamcook on October, 15th, 2011 at 11 a.m. Canon John Matheson will officiate. A reception will immediately follow the service at the family home: 204 Glebe Road, Chamcook. In lieu of flowers donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, Extra Mural Program, St Stephen & St George, and CNIB and Charlotte County Archives. On line condolences to the family or donations can be made at www.humphreysfh.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of Humphreys Funeral Home, 20 Marks Street, St Stephen, NB (506 – 466 – 3110)