Mervyn Shoults

Shoults Mervyn John Kent 1927-2019 - The family is sad to announce the passing of Mervyn Shoults (Major Retired) on Tuesday May 7, 2019 at North Bay Regional  Health Centre at the age of 91. Loving father of Michael (Kim), William (Debra deceased), Patricia, Carol (Gary Verge), David, Daniel (Diane Comtois), he will be lovingly remembered by his 19 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.  Merv will be sadly missed by his fiancé Aline Gauthier. Predeceased by his wife Peggy, his parents David and Edith Shoults, his brothers George and Kent and his sister Mona Kobus.

Mervyn John Kent Shoults served his country with great courage, honour and dedication for 37 years in the RCAF. He started his Military career when he joined  the Royal Canadian Navy as an Ordinary Seaman in 1945 and served in the Fleet Air Arm on the Aircraft Carriers Warrior and Magnificent. In 1950, at the completion of his 5 year “hitch”, he was honourably discharged with rank of Leading Seaman. In 1951, he  joined the Royal Canadian Air Force with the rank of Leading Aircraftsman and served at several radar stations throughout Canada. In 1965, he was commissioned from the ranks and became an Air Weapons Controller serving at many NORAD facilities in Canada and  the United States. The final 4 years of his military career were spent in the underground SAGE complex at Canadian Forces Base North Bay.

He received the Canadian Forces Decoration with two bars and he received The Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013.

Following his retirement in 1982 with the rank of Major, he served on the Board of Directors of many non-profit corporations, including Northern Non-Profit  Housing Corporation, Northern Ontario Cooperative Housing Association, Harmony Haven Housing Cooperative, Holy Name Community Non Profit Housing Association, West Ferris Community Brunch and the Near North Branch of the Federal Superannuates National Association.  He was an Honorary Life Member and Past President of the North Bay Golden Age Club and was a very proud member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus.

Special thanks to Dr. R. Gauthier, Dr. Harmon, Dr. Nodwell, and the nurses of D3 and C3 at the North Bay Regional Health Centre. The family would also like  to thank Veteran’s Affairs, Anti Coagulation Clinic especially Jane, Harris Guardian Drugs, especially Tim, Nurse Theresa and PSW Sandra, Alzheimer's Society, Senior Mental Health, LHIN, VON, Knights of Columbus and Staff at the North Bay Regional Health Centre.

Family will receive friends at Hillside Funeral Services, 362 Airport Rd, on Sunday May 12th from 1 until 3 pm and 7 until 9 pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated  at the Holy Name of Jesus on Monday May 13th at 1130 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mervyn to The Kidney Foundation would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.