Black Watch and RCR friends:

Regret to report the passing of Irv Kerr in Ottawa.

Irv began his military career with The Royal Canadian Regiment but transferred to The Black Watch (RHR) of Canada in the early/mid 1950s and was posted to 1st Battalion, RHC in Camp Aldershot, Nova Scotia. When 1st Battalion deployed to West Germany in 1959, Irv was posted to 4th Brigade HQ in Soest as a Liaison Officer. He rejoined the unit when it returned to Canada/Camp Gagetown in 1962. By then, he had been promoted to captain and appointed Officer Commanding Support Company. After another brief period away from 1st Battalion, he returned as a major in time to deploy to Cyprus with the unit in 1967 where he commander, first Support Company, and later ‘A’ Company. He departed 1st Battalion for the last time to attend Staff College in Toronto in 1969.
On completion of Staff College he was posted to NDHQ Ottawa and re-badged back to The Royal Canadian Regiment with whom he had begun his military career. He held several appointments in NDHQ, primarily in the Intelligence Group, before retiring to pursue a successful career as a lawyer.

I received the following information from Irv’s wife on Saturday 30 November:

I am sorry to report that Irving passed away this morning at the Queensway Carleton hospital around 9:30 am.
He had been fighting pancreatic cancer for months, and the aggressive chemotherapy resulted in sudden metabolic failure.
His passing was peaceful, and we were all with him when he took his last breath.
I do not know what I will do without him. He was a treasure.

________________________________________
Irving Harvey Woodruff Kerr
Major (Ret'd) CD, LL.B
1932 – 2019

Peacefully in Ottawa, Ontario on Saturday, November 30 in his eighty-seventh
year. Beloved husband of Catherine (nee Franklin). Son of the late Florence
Beeston and John Abner Kerr. Predeceased by his parents and his sister
Barbara Nicholas (Peter). Dear father of Laura Kerr (Martin) and Susan
Peever. Grandfather of Deborah Daniels (Don), Jason Lewin, Lloyd Crosby,
Catherine Crosby and Brendan Peever. Great grandfather of Brooke, Katie,
Olivia and River.

After retiring from distinguished service with the Royal Canadian Regiment,
Irv was admitted to the bar and went on to a successful career practicing
Family Law. An avid hunter and angler, he also enjoyed hiking, bird watching
and natural history, interests he passed on to his children and
grandchildren. He and Catherine covered much of the Lanark highlands on foot
with their canine companions and took great pleasure in their rural rambles.
An officer, a gentleman and an ardent Canadian, he will be missed by his
grieving family and many friends.

Donations may be made in his memory to the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires
bursary program, the Old Forge Community Resource Centre, Ottawa West
Seniors Support, the Wild Bird Care Centre or a charity of your choice.

There will be a celebration of Irv’s life in the near future, but the family has not yet decided when it will take place.



R. I. P.
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Pro Patria