Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 145 Tiny and her mother called Staley ‘Slim’, as he was a tall slender man. When the war ended, and Staley was heading back to Canada, he gave Herman his uniform jacket, recognizing the desperate need that many were in after years of Nazi occupation. He described the relief that the war was over. “Everyone was happy the Germans had surrendered unconditionally”. Staley returned to Canada in January 1946 and settled in Pembroke Shore, Yarmouth NS. He married Florence Bain and they had three daughters. Staley built a solid reputation as a stone mason and community minded person. He served on numerous community service groups including the Yarmouth Municipality Department of Recreation committees, Yarmouth Food Bank, YACRO, Friends of the Yarmouth Light, Pembroke Hall and Cemetery boards. Staley helped maintain the community hall for years, including shingling the roof with his three girls, mowed the Pembroke Cemetery for decades, and was relied on by many in the community, at the drop of a hat, to fix a pump. Of course, his preferred payment was a cup of coffee and a chat and, if one was available, a piece of pie. He joined the Port Maitland Legion and sat on the executive for several years, including as President. In the later part of his life he served for 25 years as the Yarmouth Municipal Councilor for District 6, with many of those as deputy Warden. Every election he knocked on doors and enjoyed meeting and talking to all. During a visit back to Holland in 1985 for the commemoration of ‘D’ Day, Staley and Florence decided to go back to Nijmegen to see if they could find Tiny. They tracked down the house where Tiny had lived only to find it filled with university students being used as a fraternity house. Disappointed they headed back to their host family in Apeldoorn to share their lack of results. Their host on this trip to Holland was Willy Koreman (Willy is short for Wilhelmina), and she quickly called the mayor of Nijmegen to see if she could get more information. He promptly replied that he would see what he could do, as there was “Nothing to big for a Canadian veteran”. Shortly after they were in contact with Herman and plans were made to visit where memories and laughter were shared. Herman told them how he wore Staley’s uniform jacket for 5 years after. Elbows became bare from use, but the wool and memories kept him warm. They called Tiny who now lived in Bern, Switzerland. As it turned out Staley and Florence would be visiting close to Tiny’s community and they arranged to meet. Tears flowed freely by all involved as Staley and Tiny reminisced. An unexpected and delightful friendship developed between Florence and Staley and their hosts Willy and her daughter, Angela. They visited each other many times in the years to come. The depth of their friendship was a special balm of healing for Staley as he returned to a country that he had seen torn apart and yet was now flourishing. The gratitude of the Dutch soothed his war scars and filled his heart with warm memoires. Florence and Staley’s flower beds became a testament to this brightness and beauty, as each Christmas packages came from Herman and Tiny, and Willy would send Tulip bulbs. They continued to correspond until their deaths. On March 29, 2010 Staley died and is buried in Pembroke Cemetery. Staley leaves behind a legacy of service that is continued as he and Florence instilled in their children a strong ethic of service. His commitment to serve also continues in his 4 grandchildren and will no doubt continue in his great grandchildren and beyond. continued ...
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