We regret to advise of the unexpected death of Chief Warrant Officer Reginald “Reg” Daws, MMM, CD (Ret’d) at home in Chilliwack, BC on 5 December 2018.
Reg was born in England in 1935 and spent his early years there until his family immigrated to Vancouver, BC when Reg was 13 years old. During his high school years he was an air cadet and, as a young man, chose a career in construction engineering with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Reg enlisted in 1955 and served a full career as a Mechanical Systems Technician across Canada and in Europe with the Canadian Military Engineers and the Royal Canadian Air Force for 36 years. He served in the rank of Chief Warrant Officer for 16 years with his final posting being Sergeant Major of Construction Engineering Training Squadron in the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering. His performance throughout his career was acknowledged by his receiving an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Commander Air Defence Command and a Commander’s Letter of Commendation while serving with Maritime Command. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Military Merit in 1988.
After retirement from the Canadian Forces in 1991 Reg worked with Adsorption Ltd as Marketing Consultant, International Sales for 15 years. He was also very active in the leadership of the Canadian Air Force Association of Canada (AFAC) and the National Association of Federal Retirees. He started with National Association of Federal Retirees in 2006 and was President of the Chilliwack Branch.
Reg was awarded the AFAC Distinguished Service Award in 2013 for his leadership abilities, people skills, and his dedication to the aims and objectives of the AFAC. Joining in 1995, he served continuously in an elected or appointed capacity since 2000, when he became President of 879 (Earl MacLeod) Wing, AFAC. In 2005 he was elected Pacific Group Regional Vice-President and became Group VP in 2017 - all the while serving in various capacities at 879 Wing as a member of the Wing Executive, Membership Chairman, and Special Projects Officer. Reg led 879 Wing’s work on the “Blue Hydrangea” project that had been started during World War II by the local Women’s RCAF Auxiliary to perpetuate the memory of the local airmen lost during the war. This project brings together the members of the wing and the students and staff of the Chilliwack Middle School where blue hydrangeas are planted in memory of the lost.
A Memorial Service will be held for Reginald Daws in Chilliwack at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, 20 December 2018 at Branch # 4 of the Royal Canadian Legion on the corner of Mary Street and Princess Ave in Chilliwack, BC. Online condolences can be sent to the Chilliwack Progress.
