Military Service Recognition Book

79 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND COSTIFF, Ralph George Ralph was born on February 16, 1925 in Merritton, Ontario. He enlisted in the Army on July 14, 1943 and served as a Trooper in the United Kingdom earning the Defence Medal, the War Medal 1939-45 and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp. After being discharged on October 16, 1946, Ralph returned to England where he had met his true love Florence. They were wed in Woking, Surrey on December 26, 1945 and returned to Canada shortly thereafter. During their 35 years of marriage, they were blessed with three daughters. Ralph worked 30 years for Hayes Dana, retiring in 1978. He loved to do odd jobs around the house and was not daunted by any repair work needed. One of his most beloved hobbies was his CB radio where he was fondly known as “Meathead”. Ralph was a member of Merritton Legion Branch 138 before he passed away in his sleep on August 21, 1981. COUTU, Gérald W. Gérald was born in Montreal, Quebec on January 25, 1918. He joined the Army on February 4, 1942 and served with the Canadian Grenadier Guards in Canada, England and Northwest Europe until his discharge on March 12, 1946. He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, the France and Germany Star, the Defence Medal and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp. He returned to Wawa and worked as Supervisor at Algoma Ore Properties. Gérald was a member of Wawa Legion Branch 429 for fifty-eight years before he passed away on November 14, 2003. COSTIFF Sr., William Charles “Bill” Bill was born in Merritton, Ontario on August 25, 1916. He enlisted in the Navy on January 18, 1944 and served in Canada and on the high seas on HMCS Star, Stadacona II, Cornwallis, Avalon, Cap-de-la-Madeleine, St. Hyacinthe and the Star. He was awarded the Atlantic Star, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp and the 1939-45 War Medal. After the war, Bill returned to Kriluck Plumbing and Heating in Thorold to finish his apprenticeship as a steam fitter. After changing jobs several times from 1944 to 1947, he then went to work for Beaver Wood Fiber in Thorold where he was employed from January 1947 to October 24, 1970. Bill was a member of the Merritton Volunteer Fire Department from 1956 until amalgamation with St. Catharines in 1960. He raised four children with his wife Jessie and he was a member of Merritton Legion Branch 138. Bill passed away on October 24, 1970.

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