Raymond Cordell

    • Raymond Cordell
    • RCAF GRVI Badge

    We regret to advise of the death of Raymond Cordell at the age of 96 years on 19 December 2016 in St. Albert, AB. Raymand was a Royal Canadian Air Force Construction Engineer veteran of WW II.

    Raymond grew up in the small French farming community of Apremont, north of Halkirk, AB. During World War II he served in No. 4 Construction Maintenance Unit with the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1943 to 1946 where he was responsible for the generation and supply of electrical power to the remote aerodromes and landing strips of the Northwest Staging Route. Stretching between Edmonton AB and Fairbanks Alaska, that remote air corridor preceded the Alaskan Highway a primary method to deliver American war supplies to Russia.

    After demobilization Raymond had a rewarding 42-year career working for the same company under different names: Dominion Electric, Northland Utilities, Canadian Utilities, Alberta Power and ATCO Electric. He lived in the communities of Fairview, Athabasca, Peace River, and St. Albert. In retirement, Raymond enjoyed restoring his 1917 Model T Ford and creating numerous working models of farm gasoline tractors and engines. He also enjoyed camping trips across Canada and the U.S. and overseas vacations.

    A Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, 6 January 2017, at St. Albert Catholic Parish, 7 St. Vital Avenue, St. Albert. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute. To send condolences, please visit: www.connelly-mckinley.com. {khDec2016}