Canada’s naval history community lost one of their biggest contributors in December.
Reprint to obituary from J. Albert Walker Funeral Home, Halifax
Spurgeon George “Spud” Roscoe VE1BC (84) born on May 2, 1939, passed away December 28, 2023 at Halifax. He was the oldest son of George Spurgeon Roscoe and Cora Adelaide (West) Roscoe of Sheffield Mills. He had eleven (SIC) living grandparents when born.
He leaves behind his wife of 62 years to Joan Mary (Kinney) of Ashmore. He also leaves his son Mitchell (Natasha) of Sambro and his son Jeffrey (Jodi) of Sambro. He leaves his Granddaughter Josie and Grandson Benjamin. He leaves his siblings Kenneth (Elaine), Cambridge Station and Nancy (Oscar) Huntley, Scott’s Bay.
He was predeceased by his grandparents, parents and brother Richard “Dick” (Donna) Roscoe and sister Linda (Graham) Hardy.
He served five years as a communicator supplementary (radioman special) rating in the navy, graduated from the Radio College of Canada, Toronto, Air Services Training School, Ottawa and the National Radio Institute, Washington, D.C. He was a radio operator at four Western Airport Radio Stations, Radio Officer in twelve ships and retired from Halifax Coast Guard Radio, Ketch Harbour.
He also had an interest in Amateur Radio and held several call signs terminating with call sign VE1BC since January 1975. He was a life member of the American Radio Relay League, Radio Amateurs of Canada and the Halifax Amateur Radio Club.
He and Joan enjoyed RV camping and made their first long trip from Weymouth to Whitehorse, Yukon in 1963. Their last cross North America RV trip was their ninth that they made in 2017. In recent years, Spud has published three Radio History books and was very proud of this accomplishment.
Cremation has taken place with J. Albert Walker Funeral Home, Halifax.
A special thank you to the staff at the QE2, Halifax Infirmary Emergency Room for providing comfort and support. A celebration of life will be held in Spring 2024. Donations can be made to St James United church in Sambro.