Obituary of Wilho Palander

Wilho “Bill” Emil Palander, of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, formerly of Montréal and Toronto, died quietly in his sleep in the early morning hours of January 7, 2017. Born in Pori, Finland, on September 5, 1921, Bill came to Canada with his family at age five. At age 19, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Dragoons Regiment and served valiantly during Allied Campaigns in Europe. One of his proudest moments was serving in the Honour Guard of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. After his discharge, he lived in Montréal where he worked first as a police officer and later as an Air Canada employee. Bill had a zest for life with a competitive edge; he was a pool, card, and jitter-bug champion. He also won trophies for bowling and was an avid fisherman, particularly enjoying fly-fishing. He retired early from Air Canada with a disability related to his military service. In his later life, he suffered from a form of dementia related to his disability. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Alta MacKay Palander. He will be missed by many, especially his son, William “Bill”, and husband, Russell Colman. Since October 2007, Bill had lived in the Veterans’ Wing at Taigh Na Mara Residence in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. His family wishes to thank the staff there and his doctors for the years of compassionate care. Bill’s remains will be interred in the Spring with the remains of his wife, Alta, on the Canadian National Field of Honour in Pointe-Claire, Québec, overlooking Lac St. Louis. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada or Parkinson Canada. Arrangements have been entrusted to T.J. Tracey Cremation & Burial Specialists, 370 Reserve St, Glace Bay (902) 849-4199.