Phil Egan

When John James Alexander Nelson woke at London’s Parkwood Hospital the morning of Nov. 11, 2012 there was no sign it would be his last.

Remembrance Day is a hallowed occasion at a Veteran’s hospital like Parkwood, and family of the 89-year-old patriarch had decided to honour him by gathering together for the service at the hospital chapel.

His son, recently retired Sarnia Police Chief Phil Nelson, had dressed formally for the occasion in his Number One police dress uniform as a sign of respect for the veterans.

Joining Chief Nelson and his wife, Elizabeth, were brothers and sisters from across southern Ontario, as well as the patriarch’s various grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Diagnosed with lung cancer two years earlier, John James Alexander Nelson had agreed to hospital treatment only after a bed became available at the renowned veteran’s facility.

He born in Lobo Township in 1923 and raised on his grandfather’s farm. At a young age, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps and received his initial training in Peterborough before shipping overseas.

He was among the bravest of the brave – men trained to serve in the heat of combat armed only with love and compassion for their brother soldiers.

While in England he met his wife-to-be, Elizabeth. The young medic obviously had charm; despite Elizabeth’s family being decidedly English upper crust they married in 1946.

After the war, John Nelson worked 40 years as a truck driver with Maris Transport of Oakville. His co-workers respectfully referred to him as “Number One” for his longevity of service. Service was the great theme of his life.

That day the family gathered at Parkview was memorable one, with the old vet meeting his new great granddaughter, Eleanor, for the first time.

But when it came time to head to the chapel for the service he declined, saying he didn’t feel up to getting dressed.

And so, the Nelson clan spent their time together gathered around the TV and watching the Remembrance Day ceremonies from the National War Memorial in Ottawa.

Mere hours later, the much-loved veteran was gone.