This page is dedicated to those valiant Freedom Fighters who are no longer with us.
Jane and I were discussing tonight the loss of many of our loudest voices over the past few years, and lately, over the past few months.
The following is an incomplete list of those brave souls who have moved on to other pastures. They may be gone from our world, but they will not be forgotten, at least not by us. We will be posting brief bios on each shortly. Until then, think of these names with fondness. They were proud defenders of Freedom in this once-great nation of Canada.
These fine souls are listed in the order they most recently left us:
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Aaron Zelman I was shocked when I got the email from Jane Gaffin this afternoon telling me that Aaron Zelman of the Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (JPFO) had passed away on December 21st, 2010. It was like being gut-punched, not because I knew Aaron well… I didn’t. We’d corresponded many times over the years about our common issue, and I’d had a lot of fun writing for one of his contests, “Bullets to Save Ballots”, where I had the great honour of winning 1st Honourable Mention for my article Alternate Endings: Recollections of Life Under a Constitutional Government. That piece was such fun to write, and I think I submitted it more on a lark than anything, just because it was so much fun to write. If memory serves, even Jane and I had agreed it would never go anywhere, but that I should submit it anyway! No, I felt gut-punched because I’d just learned that we had just lost an incredible defender of our God-given right to keep and bear arms for our defense. read more... |
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John Holdstock One of British Columbia's most passionate anti-gun control lobbyists died suddenly at his West Kelowna home Christmas Day at the age of 74. John will be sorely missed. His tagline, "The world is run by those who show up" will not soon be forgotten. John showed up. Every day for as long as I knew him, and many more before that. Truly one of the good guys fighting for all that is good and decent in the world. |
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Bob Chapman Robert Chapman was a long-time member of the National Fireams Association. He and his wife Rita were dedicated volunteers, doing their best over many years to educate firearms owners about the Firearms Act. Bob died on March 22, 2010 at roughly 5:00am. Bob had not been well for some time, and had been in the hospital since Dec 24th, 2009. He was doing quite well but recently took a turn for the worst. Bob's wife Rita was informed that he would not be returning home, but against the medical staff's advice, she took him home for his final days. The cause of death was COPD. He was on morphine for not even quite a day. He went very peacefully and for that we are grateful. |
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Jim Lawrence The Canadian outdoors community lost a great friend and advocate on August 5, when Jim Lawrence succumbed to a heart attack. He was 69. An avid outdoorsman, Jim found his wilderness roots early and was involved in hunting and fishing since childhood. He shared his love of the outdoors with his children, and eventually his grandchildren. Over the course of his lifetime, Jim was a Game Warden for the province of Quebec, served as president of the Brome County Fish & Game Club in Quebec’s Eastern Township from 1979 to 1984, ran a pheasant hunting preserve, was involved with the Quinte Wild Turkey Assn... More... |
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David A. Tomlinson With great sadness and a profound sense of loss, we announce that David A. Tomlinson, President of the National Firearms Association, passed away the evening of September 18th, 2007, after a short illness. It goes without saying that Dave had a deep impact on firearms politics and legislation, beginning in the mid 1970's with the FARO group, through the first incarnation of National Firearms Association in 1978, and from 1984 to present as President and Legal Advisor to the National Firearms Association of Canada. More... |
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Al Parsons Al was one of the Responsible Firearms Community (RFC) stalwarts and defenders of our rights and freedoms. Al passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 26, 2006 and will be missed by wife Muriel and the rest of his family. Per Al's request, there will be no memorial services of any kind. If you want to send a condolances card to Mrs. Parsons the mailing address is: Muriel Parsons I personally think that all of us in the RFC should send a note
to let her know how much her husband was respected, and to let
her know she has friends everywhere. |
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Dr. Doug Craig A civil engineer with a PhD in geological engineering from the University of Wisconsin, died October 25, 2005, of a rare bone cancer. He was 71. Craig and his wife, Joan, came from Vancouver Island to Whitehorse, Yukon in 1969, for what was supposed to be a three-year stint but turned into a lifelong commitment to the territory. More... |
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Dale Blue President of the Responsible Firearms Owners of Alberta, Dale Blue was a tireless advocate for repealing Canada's Firearms Act and replacing it with something that actually combats crime, not persecutes the law-abiding. Dale passed away on December 23, 2004. Thoughts on Dale's Passing From: |
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Gordon Hitchen "In memory of Gordon Hitchen 1933-2004. Gordon passed away after a short illness from Cancer at Stoney Plain Hospital Alberta at 2330 hrs, 2nd of July 2004. Gordon was a veteran & served his country in the RCN & then as a career RCMP officer. He was also an outspoken advocate for Rights and Freedoms and will be greatly missed by our firearms community." - AOB |
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Rick Hardy "It is with regret and sorrow to inform you of the untimely passing of Rick Hardy (sparkplug@adss.on.ca) on Monday May 10, 2004 while fulfilling his passion of flying. He was a talented and highly respected man and will be sadly missed by all who new him. - Hardy Family" |
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Don Adams Manitoba Branch NFA President |
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Paul Harding "This is to let you know, my beloved husband Paul Harding, died on April 13, 2004 at 7.30 a.m, in the City of Durango, at México. I beg your prayers for his soul, to be in the company of God, because Paul was a great person, good man, good father, loving husband and great friend." - Silvia Harding |
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Peter Kearns Made a carreer out of harassing government burueacrats and making them obey their own laws. |
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Rod Bugaresti Passed away on June 23, 2001 (complications from blood clots in the lungs) |
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Dezmond Keddie Died from cancer. Extremely active in the fight against Bill C-68. Lived out his last days in Salmon Arm, BC. |
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Jack Gentles 61-year-old retired Postal worker who, after suffering a stroke and recovering in the hospital, had a firearm stolen from his home. It was recovered by the Calgary Police Service from a gang-banger. As the firearm was registered, the police KNEW who owned it. Instead of simply returning the firearm to its rightful owner, NWEST and the Coquitlam Tactical Team attended Jack's Quarry Road residence armed with search warrants for his home and the owner of the property. They seized everything they could. This overwhelming show of force completely unnerved Mr. Gentles, and he committed suicide. Following Jack's untimely death, the search warrants were sealed, NO inquiry into his death since they "knew" how he died. Len Miller, a retired Vancouver Police Officer said, "There is no greater example of over-reaction on the part of the police... an UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE... which we were assured (by Allan Rock) would never happen." |
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Jane Gaffin My friend, fellow maniac and unindicted co-consipirator in all things writing passed away on June 15, 2015. I owe her so much, on so many levels. Rest in peace, my friend... |
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