Remembering Robert G. Dale
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre would like to extend its sincere condolences to the Dale family on the passing of Lieutenant Colonel Robert (Bob) G. Dale.
Mr. Dale was a longstanding supporter of Sunnybrook spanning many decades of commitment to the hospital and in particular the well-being and care of Canadian war veterans. In 2004, he was appointed to the Sunnybrook Board of Directors and its Audit Committee, and a year later he was appointed Chairman of the Veterans Advisory Committee of the Board, a post he held until just prior to his recent passing.
"The Sunnybrook community is mourning the loss of a good friend and faithful Veteran supporter. Mr. Dale was extremely dedicated and grateful to be able to give something back to his comrades, the Veterans of Sunnybrook," said Dr. Barry McLellan, President & CEO of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
A successful businessman, Mr. Dale was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Maple Leaf Mills Limited, a member of several corporate Boards of Directors, Past Chairman of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires and was most recently the Deputy Chairman of Upper Lakes Group Inc.
His distinguished military career began in 1940, at the age of 19 when he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and served as a navigator with 150 Squadron of the Royal Air Force flying in Wellington Bombers. His next posting was as Navigation Officer with Bomber Command No.1 Group and then No. 8 Group of the RAF.
For his skill and bravery, Mr. Dale was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1942, the Distinguished Service Order in 1944 and the Canadian Forces Decoration in 1956.
Mr. Dale was the Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of 400 City of Toronto Air Reserve Squadron from 1978 to 1986 and the National President and Honorary President of the Air Cadet League of Canada. He also served for ten years as an Aide de Camp to the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and was a longstanding member of the Royal Canadian Legion's Fort York Branch #165.
Last fall, Mr. Dale was honoured and awarded The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his significant contributions to Canada and his community.