106 year-old Yarmouth veteran Jim McRae passes away

A 106-year old veteran from Yarmouth has passed away.

Flight Lieutenant Jim McRae was believed to be the last living veteran to hold a Distinguished Flying Cross.

McRae served in World War II, he survived hours in the Atlantic Ocean after his plane was shot down.

His daughter Susan Amon says he was a man of honour and service.

“He loved his country. He served with pride, and he served his community. Whatever he did, he did passionately and was the best. That’s probably why he lived as long as he did, he was very determined,” said Amon.

There were plans this summer for McRae to be reunited with his Canso aircraft that he flew in 1945.

The plane will still land in Yarmouth on June 21 at the airport in tribute.

McRae was a fixture at local Remembrance Day ceremonies, and laid the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 61 wreath many times.

Amon says her father wore his medals with pride.

“He was a very stoic and disciplined person, but he would cry at those services. He lost his brother Earl at age 23 in the War, they both enlisted together.”

McRae also operated a flight school in Yarmouth and was a provincial champion curler with the Legion team.

Amon says her father will be buried in his hometown of Huxley, Alberta this July.

Jim McRae and his brother Earl McRae (Photo courtesy Sue Amon)