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Albert Edward McCormack Family

Albert and Bertha McCormack

Albert Edward McCormack
b- Jan 15, 1874 in Ireland
d- Aug 15, 1962, in Vancouver BC, age 88
son of Edward Joseph  and Kathleen McCormack

Albert McCormack was also a Journalist for the Estevan Mercury

1927 Albert was a Councillor on the Estevan Town Council

Bertha McCormack, nee Rech
b-
d-

Rech Sisters ca 1920
The Rech sisters, lived in Minnie Fisher's Boarding home in Estevan,
from 1912, until they found jobs in Estevan.
The Rech sisters, Bertha, Caroline, and Philipine,
came to Canada, behind the Titanic in April 1912.

Albert and Bertha`s Family:
son- John Edward McCormack

John Edward (Ed) (Eddie) McCormack
b- July 6, 1917 in Estevan
d- Mar 14, 1953, Car Accident in Regina SK, age 35.

Funeral- Wed. Mar 18, 1953, in St. Paul's United Church in Estevan.
Rev. E. A. King Officiated.
Over 2,000 people attended, and a special speaker system,
had to be installed for the crowd in the street,
and for those in the Anglican Church across the street,
to hear the Service.

In attendance were Lt. Gov. W. J. Patterson,
Premier Tommy C. Douglas, (CCF)
Walter Tucker, Leader of the Opposition, (Liberal)
6 members of the Provincial Command of the Canadian Legion,
and members of the Saskatchewan Bar Association.
Also J. J. Smith, MP for Moose Mountain from Ottawa.
and W. W. Lynd, Partner at Law in Estevan.

130 Local Legion Members,
plus 40 members of the Estevan Air Cadet Squadron,
lined the street from the Estevan Funeral Home, to the Church.

Ed and Marion Outhwaite Wedding Photo
July 29, 1952
Marion was from Oxbow SK, see link below

Flt. Lt. Ed McCormack, DFC

Distinguished Service in RCAF in WWII
Described in his Distinguished Flying Cross Citation as
a Highly Skilled Navigator Bomb Aimer,
who participated in the 1,000 plane attack on Cologne,
and a similar operation against Bremen.
In June 1942 he was mentioned in News Dispatches
after he had accompanied Squadron Leader D. L. Wolfe,
on a raid over enemy territory.
He was also awarded the Air Force Cross.

Apr 30, 1943, letter from the King,
St. James Palace Invitation

He was educated in Estevan, Attended ECI 1933-34,
Graduated from the University of Saskatchewan
with his BA and LLB, graduating with the latter in 1938.
After graduating he articled with W. W. Lynd QC. of Estevan.
In June 1940 he enlisted in the RCAF.
He received his wings from
Air Marshall Billy Bishop at a Toronto Ceremony.
He was posted overseas July 1941.
He was a member of the famous Moose Squadron.
He endured 27 hazardous operational flights with this Squadron.
He was then attached with the American Air Force.
He was a veteran of many famous raids by the RCAF.
He was a Squadron Leader in WWII, 
having led the flight crew into the targets of
Nazi Germany’s headquarters and production plants.

Discharged with rank of Squadron Leader, Aug 1945,
and returned to his Estevan Law Practice.
In 1946 he was taken into partnership with W.W. Lynd.

July 1927 he won a beginner violin award.
First class honors, from Regina Conservatory of Music,
Estevan Centre area.
Receiving award with him, Robert George (Bob) Mitchell,
who also had a distinguished flying career in WWII
and was killed in action.

Mr. McCormack practiced Law in Estevan, Community Leader,
and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
from 1948 until his death.
He was party whip with the Liberal Party.

Served as President of the Estevan Legion.
He was one of the original planners of the Estevan Legion building.
His widow participated in the Grand Opening of the building.
He was Member of the United Church in Estevan,
Member of The Estevan Lodge, No. 25, AF and AM,
the Estevan Chapter, No. 8, Royal Arch Masons,
of the Wa-Wa Temple.
also Estevan Lodge, No. 119 BPOE (Elks)
and the Estevan Flying Club.
He was an official Patron of the Estevan Agricultural Society.

He became involved in a Miners Strike, in Roche Percee, in 1948,
while he was a MLA, and was badly beaten and hospitalized.
He was there as a mediator. 
When you are in politics, not everyone likes your opinion obviously!

 He died after an intoxicated 18 year old son of a Regina Doctor,
broadsided his car in 1953, 
 after his dinner engagement at the Lt. Governor’s Residence in Regina.
Accident occurred at intersection of Retallack St. and College Ave.
3 teenagers were in the other car, returning from a party.
He was thrown from the car, during the accident.
His new bride, of only a few months,
Marion Outhwaite, was also in the vehicle,
but she survived the Saturday Night crash.
They lived at 2832 College, and were nearly home.

Ed McCormack`s Obituary

Albert Edward McCormack
and Bertha McCormack, nee Rech,
operated a Five and Dime Store
on Main Street (4th st) in Estevan
for many years, 1930's- 1945

Ten Cent and Variety Store
1209 4th st.
built ca 1915, sold 1945 to Ned & Irene Rooney

 
McCormack Five and Dime Store
Inside and Out View

Story of these photos, and Ed McCormack, from Mr. Darwin Wagner:

These are an out and indoor photo of McCormack's Five & Dime Store on Fourth Street in Estevan, operated by Albert and Bertha ( nee Rech ) McCormack. While Bertha managed the store, Albert worked as a journalist with the Estevan Mercury. I always laugh when I think of one of her employees, Mrs. Emilie Backman, who told me that every time Bertha would take a day off, Emilie and another employee would re-arrange and organize the store. When Bertha returned the next day, she demanded everything be return to their original spots. Lots of chaos. 

My mother remembers going to the Five & Dime as a child to fill up a huge bag with fresh candies. From there, the girls would take in a movie for the afternoon while the parents shopped. The store was a must stop for all the people coming into town on a Saturday. 

The exterior shot was taken on V-Day at the end of World War II. Bertha displayed photos of as many soldiers she could get her hands on who served from Estevan area. It was a great moment in our history. She also knew her only child, John Edward, would be coming home. 

   John Edward, completed his law degree at the University of Saskatchewan and first practised law in Estevan with Mr. Kohaly. He joined the RCAF and became Squadron Leader, positioning bomber planes over Germany during WW II. Upon his return, he was then elected as Liberal MLA for the Estevan area in 1948. He was re-elected in 1952 and then proposed to Marion Oathwaite of Oxbow, Saskatchewan. Only three months after their marriage, John Edward's life was taken by a drunk driver as they left the Lt. Governor's home in Regina.  

    I have donated John Edward's medals from WWII, along with letters from the High Commissioner of Canada, and an invitation from the King's Office to St. James Palace in London, to the Saskatchewan Western Development Museum. HIs specific display in hanging on the wall in the aircraft area of the Moose Jaw branch of the WDM.

Ed's parents moved from Saskatchewan
to British Columbia in 1947 to retire.
 Ed, his parents, and Aunt Josephine
are all laid to rest in the Forest Lawn Cemetery, in Burnaby BC

Most of the info above, and pictures contributed by
Ed`s cousin, Darwin Wagner, with thanks!

Ext Links,
note- Not my web sites, Links may or may not work in the future

Oxbow History book has the Outhwaite family history
http://www.ourroots.ca/e/page.aspx?id=2877285

See my Steelman page for more Rech Family info
http://gent-family.com/Steelman/steelmanhistorypage.html