Second World War veteran, stone mason Alf Rackley dies at the age of 90
Alfred “Alf” Joseph Rackley of Kincardine died peacefully, with family by his side, at Parkwood Hospital, London, Tuesday, June 27, 2017, in his 91st year.
Beloved husband of Dorothy Rackley (née Brewer) for 65 years.
Dear father of Jim Rackley (Sandra) of Southampton and Mary Ann Rackley-Tucker (Bill) of London.
Loving Grandad of Jennifer Treacy (Cameron), Rebecca Blair (Stewart), Dan Rackley (Jessica), Shaun Tucker (Sarah) and Michael Tucker (Kelley). Special Great-Grandad of Ella and Rylan Tracey, Elliott, Isla and Leighton Blair, Spencer and Bennett Rackley, Avery Tucker, and Harrison and Charlie Tucker.
Survived by brothers, Lesley Rackley (Joyce) of Nelson, New Zealand; and Ron Rackley (Yvonne) of Kincardine.
Fondly remembered by the extended Rackley and Brewer families, Legion friends, fellow tradesmen and contractors.
Predeceased by his parents, Frank and Mary (née Ryan) Rackley; brothers, Jimmy Rackley, and Frank Rackley (Edna); and sisters, Rose Gale (Bert), Margaret Weight (Barry), and Ivy Rackley.
Alf was a veteran of the Second World War, serving with the British Army Queen's Regiment, in India and Burma, from 1944-47.
Alf Rackley (centre) receives a Golden Anniversary Medal, and a bar and a pin for 60 years of service to the Legion, from Kincardine Legion first vice-president Margaret Mayer (left) and Derek Moore, District C deputy commander, in 2012
A well-respected stone mason, he bricked hundreds of homes and stone fireplaces in the Kincardine area.
Visitation will be held at the Anglican Church of the Messiah, Kincardine, Monday, July 3, 2017, from 11 a.m until Noon, followed by the memorial service to celebrate Alf’s life, at 12:30 p.m., with Rev. Rob Hiscox officiating.
Members of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 183, Kincardine, will hold a Memorial Service at the church, Monday, July 3, 2017, at 10:45 p.m.
Final resting place, Church of the Messiah Memorial Garden.
Memorial donations to the London Down Syndrome Association would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
Alf Rackley (right) with fellow Second World War veteran Charles Mann
Alf Rackley (left) with Peter Muschalle in the 2011 Remembrance Day parade
Written ByLiz Dadson is the founder and editor of the Kincardine Record and has been in the news business since 1986.
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