NOTE
Sadly, Larry passed away on November 28, 2020 after long fight with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer diseases. The world has lost a true gentleman. He has left a hole in humanity that will never be filled.
(Editor’s Note: My thanks to Larry’s son, Trevor, for providing me with the following information. Larry is far too modest a person to ever take credit for his own efforts so I’m doing it for him.
First, and foremost, Larry Wilson is the gentleman who put thousands of hours into developing the website that you are visiting. His site (universally known among DEWLiners as “Larry’s Site”) has become THE place for all things DEWLIne and Mid-Canada Line.
Some Personal History:
Larry joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1961 after graduating from Port Moody High School. He completed basic training at RCAF St Jean in Nov ‘61, and his Radar Technician course at RCAF Clinton in Dec ’62.
Throughout his 26 years in the Air Force, Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Wilson was posted (in order) to:
- RCAF Chibougamau,
- RCAF Uplands,
- RCAF Chibougamau again,
- RCAF North Bay,
- RCAF Puntzi Mountain,
- RCAF Holberg,
- Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Kamloops,
- CFS Ramore,
- Canadian Forces Junior Leader School (CFJLS) Penhold,
- CFS Holberg again,
- Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Cold Lake,
- CFB Trenton,
- CFS Sioux Lookout,
- National Defense Head Quarters (NDHQ),
- NDHQ/NWSO (North Warning System Office).
He held various positions including Radar Warrant Officer (RADWO), Installation Support WO, Life Cycle Material Manager and instructor at CFJLS. (Although, in his own words, he didn’t teach drill because he had two left feet)
His favourite posting was TRACS (Terminal Radar and Control System) in Trenton, where he enjoyed the challenge and the newness of the position.
MWO Wilson retired from the military in Feb ’87, and continued to work in DEEM (Director Environment Engineering Management) until taking a lateral transfer to the NWSO in Aug ’87. He retired from the NWSO in Feb ’96 as an EL-7, and then worked part time for the Electronics Maintenance shop at Ottawa University until 2006.
His interest in the DEWLine stemmed from his work with the North Warning System in the mid 90’s, which prompted him to create his website, lswilson.ca, which he maintained until 2015.
Larry is settled in Orleans, Ontario and has two children. His wife of 49 years, Audrey, is a retired Registered Nurse. Their son Trevor spent 20 years in the Army as a Medical Technician, and is now a computer programmer for the Royal Military College of Canada, and their daughter Tracey is an Administration Officer for Skate Canada.
Update
In January of 2018, Larry moved into the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Center, a Long-term Care facility in Ottawa where he is receiving the care needed to help him manage his Parkinson’s and dementia. Larry is an active participant in many of the activities the facility offers and still uses his computer to keep up with his emails.
Those who worked with or knew Larry from years gone by may want to contact him at: Larstuwilson@gmail.com.