Obituary of Henry Frederick Motton

Henry (Hank) Motton M.M.

Peacefully, at Parkwood Institute’s Veteran’s Care Unit, on Tuesday, November 28, 2017, Henry (Hank) Frederick Motton of London Ontario in his 97th year.  Beloved husband and lifelong companion of the late (2012) Elizabeth Marion Motton (nee Hopper).  Dearly loved father of Nanci Lazar and Colleen (Rick) DeJager.  Beloved Pappy of Jason Lazar and his wife Trish Regier and Meaghan DeJager and her partner Philip Ferreira.  Adored Great-Grand Pappy of Zoey and Zack Lazar.  Predeceased by parents Frederick and Ada Motton (nee Felton) and siblings William, Ruth, Richard, and Betty.  Also sadly missed by close friends Elizabeth Cameron and family, Gladys Hopper, Lesley Neable, Maria De Gouveia, numerous nieces and nephews and much loved Grampa to many students from around the world.
Born in Toronto on February 22, 1921, Henry joined the Toronto Scottish Regiment, a heavy machine gun regiment, in 1937 and entered active service when the war broke out in 1939.  During his 6 year tour in Europe, Henry saw action in Belgium, Germany, France and Holland and was awarded the prestigious Military Medal for bravery in the field when he led his platoon under heavy fire during the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division battle at Oldenburg. He also served in a platoon that rescued a school full of children under heavy fire in Holland, some of whom had the opportunity to thank him as adults, on one of his return visits.  During his post-war recovery at Toronto’s Chorley Park Hospital, Henry met his future wife, Bette Hopper, who he married in 1948.  Henry pursued a career as a Public Health Inspector first in the Toronto Health Department, and in 1958, the Health Department in London Ont.  Henry remained heavily involved in the peace-time Toronto Scottish Regiment, and was appointed Company-Sergeant Major of Support Company.  One of the first members of the Toronto Scottish Regimental Association, formed in 1967, and a fervent supporter of the Regimental Foundation, formed in 1980, Henry was honoured by his Regiment by being inducted into the Order of the Hodden Grey in the rank of Companion in 1985.  Henry was particularly proud to have been selected as the sole representative of the Toronto Scottish Regiment at the Coronation of HRH Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and also to participate in the arrival guard for the 1985 visit to Toronto, of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, the Regiment’s then Colonel-in-Chief.  He was much loved for hosting many pool parties after the Regiment came to London each September to march in the Veterans’ Day Parade.  As one of the longest-standing members of his beloved Nilestown Masonic Lodge, Henry considered his legacy to be leading the concept, construction and fundraising for the Nilestown Memorial Park and its charitable foundation, serving as its first President in 1991.  After retiring from the London Middlesex District Health Unit, Henry and Bette travelled Canada in their RV, took Regimental pilgrimages to Europe, and visited family across Canada and the US.  In 2008, Henry quickly became beloved by the caring staff at Parkwood Institute’s Veteran’s Care Unit for his humble, easy going, agreeable and co-operative demeanour and his definitive laugh, which could be heard for considerable distances.  The family would like to acknowledge the exceptional care Henry received during his 9 years at Parkwood.  Henry was the last of his generation on both sides of the family, bringing the close to a generational chapter.  Carry on….
Visitation will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Chapel, 1997 Dundas Street East, (at Wavell) on Monday, December 4, 2017 at 11 a.m., followed by a celebration of Henry’s life at 1:00 p.m. Reverend Herb Summers officiating. Prior to the service will be a brief Legion Memorial Service at 12:30 p.m. lead by Royal Canadian Legion Victory Branch #317, followed by a brief Masonic Memorial Service under the auspices of Nilestown Lodge #345.  All are welcome.
In memory of Henry, donations will be gratefully accepted by Parkwood Institute’s Veterans Care Unit, 550 Wellington Road, London, Ontario N6C 0A7. On-line condolences and donations are available through www.mcfarlane-roberts.ca.