Obituary of Robert Allen "Bert" Ballantyne

(Member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 527) At the age of 98 years, Bert passed peacefully at the Tony Stacey Centre on Wed Aug 26. Predeceased by his loving wife of 47 years, Bette (nee Fuller), by his sisters Mary and Lillian, his brother Les and sister-in-law, Glady, and by his partner for the last 24 years, Lori Macey. He will be Loved and Remembered by his children: Bob (Linda Bowes); Jack; Barbara (David Hamilton); and Kathy (John Fell). His wicked sense of humour will be greatly missed by his extended family: his brother-in-law Jack Fuller; Gary Collucci; Lauren Ballantyne; Doug Ramstead; and the entire Macey Family. His notorious stories will be cherished by his grandchildren: Lisa (Marco Decimelli); Nadine Hamilton (Scott Irwin); Matthew Hamilton; Mark Hamilton; and Dylan Ramstead. They will be lovingly retold to his great-grandchildren: Stefan, Alex and Katie Decimelli, and David Dacosta. Bert was the last surviving member of a 1930's Parachute Club that performed at the C.N.E. and at Air Shows around the country. The group's last performance was at the grand opening of the Toronto Island Airport in 1939. When the war began, he left employment as Chief Parachute Packer at the Irvin Air Chute Factory in Fort Erie and joined the Military; He was assigned to the parachute division of the Air Observation Training School in Malton. He was a Service Station Owner for Shell Canada for over 20 years, and during the 1950's he was a member of the Leaside Volunteer Fire Brigade. He retired from Esso Canada after 16 years as a Service Manager. The past 30 years, he enjoyed winters in Florida, trips to the casino, racing at Woodbine, and most of all, time spent with family and friends. WHAT IF'S WERE MANY; REGRETS WERE FEW. ALL IN ALL, IT WAS A GOOD LIFE, WELL LIVED. Service will be held at 11:30 AM, Sat Aug 29 at The Benner Funeral Home, in Fort Erie. Internment will follow at McAffee Cemetery. A Book of Condolence will be available through the Benner Funeral Home website. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Canadian Cancer Research.