We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Richard William “Bill” Constable, CD (Ret’d) at home on 2 July 2007 in Stittsville, ON in his 65th year.
Bill was born in Fredericton, NB and joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1963. He served as a cartographer in the Mapping and Charting Establishment in Ottawa. Bill was seconded to the National Defence Directorate of History for several years before returning to the Reproduction Division. He retired from the military in 1977 but continued to work for Mapping and Charting as a civilian cartographer. Retiring in the mid-90s, he started his own cartography business where he worked with many prominent military authors to complete maps for their manuscripts. These include books by Major General Louis McKenzie, Pierre Burton, Sean Maloney, J.L. Granatstein and as well as articles published in the Canadian Geographic Magazine. He was known for the detail included in the maps that he drew by hand.
Bill was awarded with the Queen's Jubilee Medal for his community service in the Ottawa area. He served in Kinsmen’s Club in Ottawa for over three decades as President, District Executive, and was District 6 Governor in 1989. Bill received his Life Membership in Kin Canada in 1986. One of Bill's greatest achievements was creating a close association between Kin Canada and the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation during the 1980's while serving as the Foundation's National Vice-President. Bill was instrumental in raising money for the research that eventually led to the discovery of the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis.
Bill later joined Operation Go Home and spent two years as its President. During that time, he raised public awareness of the Ottawa organization and was successful in promoting its five pillars: Drop-in, Education, Employment, Outreach and Reunite. Bill gave more to his community than his time having made more than 100 blood donations to the Canadian Blood Services.
Bill's funeral will be held at Tubman’s Funeral Home in Ottawa on 5 May with internment in the Fredericton Rural Cemetery on 10 May. Donations may be made to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Operation Go Home. {dcApr2017gd}[zsd, zsp]
