Major (retired) J. Aubrey Hudson 16 October 1930 to 12 November 2021

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our husband, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to many, Aubrey Hudson.  Aubrey passed away quietly at the Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville NS, after a short illness.  We thank the Lord for His grace and mercy in Aubrey's passing, the doctors, nurses and staff at Valley Regional Hospital who gave him wonderful care and attention in his last days, and the many caregivers at Kings Riverside Court and from Care Force.

Aubrey is survived by Stella, wife of 67 years, sons Steven (Anne Gillis) and Paul (Karen Lee), and daughter Ann (Craig Blackie), five grandchildren (Jonathan, Alexander, Elizabeth, Kyle and Gavin),and five great grandchildren (Isobel, Jack, Oliver, Richard and Stella).

Born in Leicester, England, Aubrey witnessed the WWII bomber streams passing overhead as he was rushed through school to prepare to join the fight.  The war ended before Aubrey was of age, and he entered an apprenticeship as an Electrical Engineer.  When his father, Albert Edward Hudson, announced that the family was moving to Canada, Aubrey was still engaged in his apprenticeship.  He would follow the family to Canada in 1947, flying via Gander Newfoundland (not yet part of Canada) on what must have been among the first commercial transatlantic flights after WWII.  Aubrey became a proud citizen of Canada in 1956.

Stella and Aubrey met in the choir at St. John's Anglican Church in Kitchener Ontario.  They married on 16 October 1954, the day after hurricane Hazel swept across southern Ontario, and Aubrey's 24 ^th birthday. Their honeymoon was the drive to Nova Scotia, where Aubrey was already stationed with 405 Squadron, having entered the RCAF in 1949 as an aero engine mechanic and later commissioned as an Air Navigator.

Many postings and three children would follow.  Steven was born in Middleton NS, and Paul and Ann in Winnipeg.  Aubrey's flying career would include Harvards, Expeditors and Dakotas in training and as an Air Navigator instructor, and Lancasters, Neptunes and Argus as a maritime patrol Navigator with 405 and 404 Squadrons.  There were many staff postings as well, including an exchange with the United States Air Force in what became Crystal City near the Pentagon.  Of note, Aubrey was chosen to set up and command the Canadian Forces School of Management in Lasalle QC, very soon after amalgamation of the services in 1966.  The family moved from Greenwood NS to Winnipeg MB to Exeter ON to Chateauguay QC to Alexandria VA, back to Greenwood and then back again to Winnipeg, where Aubrey retired from the Canadian Forces in 1976.

Along the way, the children learned the value of family and faith, integrity and hard work, as well as care and attention to the needs of others.  He gave each a "good listening to" when we encountered the inevitable troubles and trials of life and came to him for help and advice.  Aubrey was particularly meticulous in planning and precise in execution, whatever the job at hand.

After Aubrey's retirement from the Air Force in 1976, he worked with the Federal Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs in Winnipeg (1976-1981) and then the Ontario Department of Colleges and Universities in Queen's Park (1981-1993).  When Aubrey retired again, he and Stella returned to Middleton NS, their honeymoon town, building and then enjoying their retirement home until moving to Kings Riverside Court in Kentville in 2016.

In his retirement, Aubrey was a wonderful cabinet maker and stained-glass artist, designing and building many pieces.  He also enjoyed fellowship with many friends from Air Force days through VP International and the Greenwood Military Aviation Museum.

In whatever venue, and in whatever endeavour, friends and colleagues describe Aubrey as a gentleman.  He cared for and treated people with respect and sought the best for others, as much or even more so than the accomplishment of the specific task at hand.  He loved and was well loved at home, in the church, in the workplace, and amongst many great friends.

Stella and Aubrey celebrated their 67 ^th wedding anniversary in October, having been blessed with sufficient health to remain together until Aubrey's final illness.

Family and faith have been wonderfully augmented by friends and fellowship – in every place that life has taken Stella and Aubrey and family.  We thank you all for your love and support!

Cremation has taken place.  In lieu of a funeral, a memorial service will be organized for a later date when more of the family can be gathered.  Donations in memory and thanksgiving for Aubrey may be sent to the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund, or to Holy Trinity Anglican Church Middleton, Parish of Wilmot NS.