A funeral was held on Thursday, Dec. 10 to honour a local veteran who was among the Canadian troops who landed on the beaches on D-Day.
Alexander Reed (A.R.) Sommerville, who was also known as Sandy, died at the age of 93 on Dec. 5, precisely 70 years following his honourable discharge from the Canadian military on Dec. 5, 1945.
He didn't talk much about his service until later in life, said Bruce Sommerville, one of his three sons, who's from Three Hills.
"During the last 10 years of his life, he talked more about his service," he said.
"That's the way it is with most vets."
As Sandy's granddaughters got older, they started asking questions and he started telling them stories, said Wayne, his eldest son, who's from Red Deer.
"Dad kept a lot of stuff, and I'm glad he did," said Bruce, showing a number of records, documents, journals and photos that Sandy had accumulated.
In the mid-1980s, Sandy purchased a lot near Tall Timber.
"He always liked Sundre," said Wayne.
"Him and mom used to come out and camp at Tall Timber."
Originally from Three Hills, Sandy had worked at a coal mine at Ghost Pine east of Three Hills.
On June 24, 1947, Sandy married Ruth Ruby.
They had three sons ó Bruce, Wayne and Ian, who lives in Fort McMurray.
After Ruth died in November, 1989, Sandy found companionship with Iona Potter, who was also a widow.
"Everybody around Sundre knows Iona because they lived together here for 22 years," said Bruce.
They were married on Aug. 2, 1990.
A lifetime member of the Sundre Legion, Sandy really enjoyed his time with the comrades, said Bruce.
"He was in the legion here for 26 years," he said.
"He thought the world of the legion and the people who attended the legion."
Sandy was a well-organized individual, and had prepared some arrangements for his funeral, he said.
"He wanted a legion funeral and they did an awesome job here in town."
Comrade chaplain Tim Kirby led the funeral procession with assistance from Harold Hunter, a minister and good friend of Sandy's.
"A Veteran's Tribute is what he got," said Wayne.
Sandy was interred on the Sarcee Butte in Ghost Pine, where a little cemetery sits out on a hillside east of Three Hills.
"We're awfully proud of him," said Bruce.
"Damn proud of him," added Wayne. "So are his grandchildren."
