April 26, 1937 - February 23, 2021
Bill passed away peacefully at the age of 83, with his family by his side on February 23, 2021.
Inspector Bill Hanna was a loved leader, husband, and father, and is survived by his loving wife Doreen (née Fraser) Hanna; eldest daughter Dawn Hanna (Brent Dorion) and step-grandson Nicolas; middle daughter Kelly Hanna (Ken Moen); and youngest daughter Hilary Hanna (Terry Charles), grandchild Leelan Charles, and step-grandchildren Tanya Forsyth and Kyle Charles, as well as step-great-grandchildren Corbin and Rowan Forsyth and Avery Charles. His memory will be cherished by his siblings: his brother Jim (Maureen) and sister Evie (Norman); brothers-in-law Gazley and Robert; sister-in-law Edie; and many nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by siblings: Betty (Dennis), Ernie (Sylvia), Sadie (Ken), Noleen, Alfred, and Roberta.
Born to Robert & Elizabeth (née Montgomery) Hanna in the village of Ballygawley, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, Bill was the eldest of nine children. He served for two years on the Royal Ulster Constabulary before setting sail for Canada. Bill immigrated to Canada, the only one in his immediate family, and arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia on April 10, 1957. After emptying his pockets at the train station, he was told he could travel as far as Edmonton, Alberta; so that is where he settled. In Edmonton, he found work as a mechanic and eventually joined the Edmonton City Police, along with the Police Pipe Band. He was the second officer in the Edmonton Police Force to train in the new frontier of Technological Surveillance, an integral part of modern-day crime prevention. Bill was proud to serve and enjoyed a 32-year career with the City of Edmonton Police Force. Bill was the responding officer to a reported prowler incident, and this is where Bill met Doreen. They married in Ponoka, Alberta in 1961 and raised their three daughters on an acreage just outside of Sherwood Park, AB. On Bill’s days off he could be found working in the garage on one of the family vehicles; repairing just about anything brought to him, from furniture to shoes; or tending chickens, one of the three gardens, or the rest of the 3.5-acre acreage.
Known as a kind and gentle man, devoted father, husband, respected Policeman and Elder, who proudly and steadfastly served his family and community, Bill led with action and taught by example. No matter where you are, you are forever a guiding star. Thank you, Dad, with all our hearts.
The family is grateful for the special care and attention Bill received, from the caregivers and medical staff, during his last three years living at David Lloyd Jones Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to David Lloyd Jones Home, A Gift to Honour Someone www.seniorsservicessociety.ca/donate The family would like to invite all who want to pay their respects to join the Funeral Service online by Livestream on March 20, 2021 at 1:00 pm. A recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter. To view the Livestream/recording or send the family condolences please visit his obituary page by clicking the link: www.springfieldfuneralhome.com/obituaries/hanna-william-bill-robert
March 2021 The Call Box Page 5
Bill and Noreen Hanna with friends at the 2015 EPSVA Christmas Party.
Bill Hanna started his career with Edmonton Police on September 15th, 1958. As a constable, he worked Patrol Division, Traffic Division And Case Supervisors Unit. Bill was promoted to detective in 1970 and worked in General Investigations Section, Criminal Intelligence Section and Technical Support Unit. Promotion to Staff Sergeant in “A” Division came in 1978 and he also had assignments at that rank inTactical Unit, C.I.S. “C” Division, Integrated Intelligence Unit and “B” Division. Bill was promoted to Inspector in “B” Division in 1987. Later assignments included “D” Division and Court Division. He retired from the service on September 15th, 1990.
On Feb 16th, Nick Sliwkanich passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer. Nick was 84 years of age and is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Nettie, numerous nieces, nephews, as well as many special friends, sisters, and brothers-in-law. He was predeceased by his parents: George and Mary, sister; Annie Kitt, brothers: George, John, and Bill.
Cremation has already taken place and due to Covid-19 requirements no memorial service will be held.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Nick’s name may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or charity of one’s choice. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook (https://www.echovita.com/ca/obituaries/ab/edmonton/nick-sliwkanich-12331587) and share it with the family. You may also light a candle in honor of Nick.
Nick Sliwkanich joined the City of Edmonton Police Department on March 30th, 1964. He was a member of Recruit Training Class 19. The first half of Nick’s career was in Patrol Division. In 1977, he was promoted to Detective in General Investigation Section followed, in 1979, by a transfer to Auto Theft Unit. 1984 saw Nick swap back to uniform as a Sergeant in “B” Division. A year and a half later, he switched to C.I.S. in “B” Division and he stayed there until his retirement date of July 8th, 1985.
Ken Fennema passed away at 10:20 p.m. on January 9th. Ken was in hospital for surgery when he contracted Covid and died of pneumonia symptoms from the disease. No funeral arrangements are known at this time. No obituary was located marking Ken’s passing.
Ken Fennema joined the Edmonton Police Department on March 18th, 1968 as a member of Recruit Training Class 27. Ken was a Constable throughout his career. The majority of Ken’s career was spent in the Patrol Divisions though over his nearly thirty years of service, he had assignments in Communications Division (x 3), Youth Unit, Property Control Unit, Capital City Parks Unit as well as Information and Reception Unit. Ken retired on April 11th, 1997.
MCGEADY, Dennis, age 64, late of Calgary, passed away December 14 in the Calgary Rockyview Hospital following a brief illness.
Dennis was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Meta McGeady and his nephews Ryan Wadsworth and Robbie Curtis. He is survived by his wife Donna Hastings; his daughters Tracey (Tom) Stark of Mukilteo Washington, Tara (Dave) Markel of Port Coquitlam, his siblings Mary (Ray) Wadsworth of Emerald Park, Pat (Ken) Curtis of Regina, Pete (Karen) McGeady of Regina, nieces and nephews Kerri (Dean) Grobowsky, Candace (Devin) Curle, Daniel McGeady, Shannon McGeady and their families. Dennis is also survived by special Edmonton friends Jim and Anna McMorran and Jim and Lori Johnstone.
Dennis’ career with EPS spanned July 1976 to April 2008. He was well known and respected as the longest serving homicide detective in Canada. Following retirement from EPS he was a founding member of ASIRT South. In all settings, Dennis was renowned for his unique sense of humor.
Following cremation and due to COVID restrictions, a memorial will be arranged at a later date. Those wanting to donate in Dennis’ memory may do so in accordance with his wishes to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
Dennis started his career in policing in Edmonton on July 26th, 1976 as a member of Recruit Training Class 43. After Class he was off to Patrol Division “C”. In 1981 he got the call to transfer to Communications but managed to squeak out of that assignment after only a couple of months when he was reassigned to Street Crimes Unit. Fou years later, he was back in Patrol “C”. In 1988, whilst on a brief loan to Homicide Unit, Dennis was promoted to Detective. As a Detective he started in C.I.S. “B” Division, moved to Sex Crimes & Child Abuse Unit. Dennis transferred to Homicide Unit in 1990 and remained there until he retired on April 18th, 2008.
March 13, 1930 - November 6, 2020
Bud Morrison died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 90 years. Born near the town of Shellmouth, Manitoba, Bud moved to Edmonton in 1959 and spent 30 years with the Edmonton City Police. Bud loved hockey and coached several teams. He is survived by his wife Arlene, sons Brian and Ken (Holly), and grandchildren Duncan, Gavan, Quinn, and Rachael. To send condolences visit https://www.braendlebrucefs.ca/listings
Bud Morrison began his career in policing in Edmonton on April 6th, 1959 as a member of Recruit Training Class 9. As a constable, Bud spent his first eight or so years in Patrol Division before transferring to Communications Section. In 1968, he was promoted to Detective in C.I.D. Other assignments as a detective included Youth Section, Integrated Intelligence Unit, Youth Liaison Unit, Youth Detail in ‘B’ Division and C.I.D. in ‘A’ and ‘B’ Divisions. In 1983, Bud changed rank to sergeant in Detention Unit. After about two years there, Bud then spent a couple of years each in ‘C’ then ‘A’ Division where he remained until he retired on July 9th, 1989.
Several members told me they played football with Bud and were very complimentary about Bud’s skills and sportsmanship.
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we bid farewell to our beloved father, Blaise Nelson. Pre-deceased by his darling wife, our mother, Ann Elizabeth Nelson, on March 11 of this year, Blaise is survived by daughters Fiona (Kris), Tara (Stephen) and Shannon (Kevin), and his deeply adored grandson Alex. He also leaves his brother-in-law in Ontario and cousins in the U.K.
Born in Belfast to William and Margaret Nelson, Blaise’s early childhood was marked by the upheaval of World War II. In 1948, the family moved to Montreal where Blaise revelled in an idyllic Canadian boyhood of sports, Boy Scouts and camping. When his father passed away in 1952, he and his mother moved back to Belfast, but Canada always called to him. At the age of sixteen Blaise met with Hudson’s Bay recruiters in Belfast and applied to return to Canada as a fur trapper for The Bay. When they found out he was the only son of a widow, they declined his application.
This was our good fortune because in 1959 he met our mother Ann and was instantly smitten. By then he was a young officer in the Royal Ulster Constabulary who walked the beat at the end of Ann’s street. He played it cool, walked her home a few times, took her dancing and charmed her right into his arms. They married in September 1962, and welcomed Fiona to the family a year later. In 1967, after serving ten years in the RUC in Belfast, Blaise applied to the Edmonton Police Service and the family emigrated to Canada. Settled in Edmonton, and later Sherwood Park, the family was happily completed by the addition of Tara and Shannon.
Blaise retired in 1997, having served 40 years in law enforcement in Belfast and Edmonton. He was a champion swimmer who was recognized by the Royal Humane Society, while in the RUC, for jumping into the Lagan River to rescue a drowning man. By the time he retired from the EPS, at the rank of Staff Sergeant, he had worked in Sex Crimes, Arson, Child Abuse and Homicide. He took great pride in his work and was held in high regard by all his colleagues.
Blaise and Ann moved to Victoria in 1998 and were finally able to engage in some world travels. Over the years they visited several cities in Europe and the US, and went on two cruises. Their final big trip was in 2018 when the entire family travelled together to Northern Ireland.
There were many beloved animals in Blaise’s life, including Pixie the cat, dogs Goldie, Paddington and Rupert, and many grand-cats and grand-dogs. If people wish, in lieu of flowers, donations to a humane society or animal rescue would be welcomed. Condolences may also be offered to the family at www.mccallgardens.com
Blaise Nelson started his career with the Edmonton Police Department on July 8th, 1967 as a member of Recruit Training Class 26. His first 5 years were spent in Patrol Division with a brief assignment in Gaol Section. Assignments in Planning Section and Property Management section followed and in 1975, Blaise moved back to Patrol Division. In 1977, he was promoted to detective in General Investigation Section. Subsequent assignments as a detective included Homicide & Robbery Section, CIS “C” Division and Arson Detail. Blaise was promoted to staff sergeant in Sex Crimes & Child Abuse Unit and stayed in that area until his retirement on April 11th, 1997.
Friend and classmate of Blaise, Gary Jones, shared the following information: After retiring, Staff Sgt. Blaise Nelson and his wife Ann relocated to Vancouver Island, where they spent the last 19 years. They used their retirement years to explore a little more of the world, enjoying a few cruises and trips to Europe. Their three grown daughters still live in Alberta with their families, including a 10 year old grandson whom they adore and enjoy watching grow into a great young man.
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Rex Moore. He passed away on October 26th, 2020 after a lengthy stay in the Leduc Hospital. Rex is survived by his long-time partner Cecile Blanchard. The family will be having a small funeral for Rex and his ashes will be scattered with those of his parents on the shore of the lake he lived at for the last 50 years.
Rex Moore embarked on his policing career in Edmonton on September 14th ,1959 as a member of Recruit Training Class 10. After his start in Patrol Division, Rex moved to Traffic Section for about two years before returning to Patrol Division. In 1969, he spent a few months in Court and Summons Section and had another short stint in Gaol Section in 1975. In 1976 he moved to Information and Reception Unit where he stayed for a couple of years. In 1979 he moved back to his preferred assignment, Patrol Division Zone “A” and remained there until he retired on January 8th, 1990.
Many members have fond memories of Rex. Bill Artym shared this one:
“I was working with another member out of old JP. We were dispatched to a 10-5 very close to 151 and Stony. The offending driver admitted fault but the number 2 clearly wanted to punch out the number one driver. We could not get that mouthpiece to shut up. It was very cold outside and something so simple was beginning to turn into a nightmare. Rex, in uniform, happened to walk out of the Safeway that was located in the northeast corner of that intersection. Our patrol car and the mouthpiece in the cold crisp air got Rex's attention. He sauntered over to where we were to see what the commotion was. I told my partner that this was going to be interesting. Rex approached the number two driver and while towering over him whispered something in his ear. The driver went and sat in his car. Later that day I asked Rex what he said. He looked at me, smiled slightly, and winked.
There are a zillion of Rex Moore stories out there. Most of them are true.”
It is with a heavy heart that we share the information that Andrew “Andy” Shepherd passed away on October 3rd, 2020 in the McBride. B.C. hospital. Andy had been battling Parkinson's disease for sometime. “Many will remember Andy standing in his favorite place, the corner by the bar in the Sergeant's Mess with a beer and smoking his pipe.” No obituary was located.
Andy Shepherd started his career with the Edmonton Police Department as a member of Recruit Training Class #27 on March 18th, 1968. After a couple of years in Patrol, he transferred to Crime Index for a year followed by 5 years in the Office of the Chief. In 1976, he headed back to Patrol Division and was promoted the same year to Sergeant in “A” Division. In 1977, Andy was the Commonwealth Games Operations Coordinator. 1980 saw him on the move again to Directives Management Section then, in 1985, he changed rank to Detective in C.I.S. “D” Division enroute to a couple of years in Integrated Intelligence Unit. He was promoted to Staff Segeant in Bureau Administration Section in 1987. Later, as a Staff Sergeant, he also worked in “A” Division and Technical Support Unit before moving back to Bureau Admin. Where he remained for his last three years leading up to his retirement on March 23rd, 1997.
Larry James MILLS Reg. No. 1208 July 13, 1952 - September 12, 2020
We were advised of the passing of EPSVA member Larry Mills. Larry is survived by his wife Barb. Due to COVID19 restrictions Larry’s funeral was a private family one. Later, a celebration of Larry’s life may be held for his friends from the policing community. No formal obituary was located.
Larry was a pre-hire with EPS, starting on October 9th, 1979 in Court & Gaol Division. On November 26th, 1979 he joined RTC #57 and after graduation was transferred to Patrol Division ‘A’. In 1982, Larry transferred to Traffic Section where he remained until 1989 and his transfer to Patrol Division ‘B’. After about 3 years in the north, it was back West Division where he worked Patrol for about 13 years. In the latter stage of his career, Larry worked the West Division Front Counter for several