Black Watch friends:
Regret to report that Gerry Steacy passed away in Australia on 19th May.
David Leslie has provided the summary of Gerry’s service below.

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SK 16550 Gerald Philips (“Gerry”) Steacy 1932-2020

Gerry passed away in Werribee Victoria, Australia on May 19, 2020. A native of North Vancouver BC, he enrolled in the Canadian Scottish Regiment on April 22, 1952 and was posted to D Company of the 2nd Canadian Highland Battalion (2 CH stationed in Camp Aldershot NS. He deployed to Korea in October 1953. Marksmanship skills acquired as a youth led to his being appointed as a sniper. Gerry was one several errant snipers who strayed into the North Korean zone and were detained by the North Koreans for several days. Gerry is second from the right in the front row of the accompanying photograph of the sniper section.
On return to Canada in November 1954 Gerry remained in 2 RHC, moving to Camp Gagetown in 1958 and later to West Germany in 1962. He served in the intelligence section in Aldershot and was a member of the 2 RHC 1960 Bisley Team. After his return from Germany in 1965 he spent the rest of his career in CFB Gagetown in 2RHC and the School of Infantry (1969-76) He also served a tour with the Canadian Contingent in Cyprus in 1965-66. Gerry rebadged to The RCR in 1970 and retired in the rank of MWO in 1976.

During the late 1960s he became a councillor in the Oromocto town council. He was a major player in two main projects: the refurbishment of Fort Hughes, a blockhouse built in 1780 to protect British trade routes between Nova Scotia and Quebec, and the inception of Oromocto Pioneer Days, an annual event celebrating Oromocto’s historical roots. In the Fort Hughes restoration, Gerry could not resist bringing a little of his home province to Oromocto: he arranged for the delivery of 25 squares of western red cedar shakes which grace to roof of this handsome structure. Steacy Court, a residential neighbourhood in Oromocto, has been named in recognition of his municipal activities.

Following his retirement, Gerry entered the hospital administration field, first in Fredericton and later in Red Deer AB, where be became Chief Procurement Officer for the local hospital. Gerry eventually gravitated to Australia where he continued his hospital work, but became increasingly involved with the Australian Korean War Veterans Association, As National Treasurer he was instrumental in the planning, installation and dedication of the Korean War Memorial in Canberra and memorial plaques in many cities throughout the state of Victoria. Gerry made several pilgrimages to Korea and was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal by the Canadian Korean Veterans Association in 2012 for his work with an allied chapter.

Gerry was a true gentleman and committed his life to the betterment of his country and its people. Thank you, Gerry, for a life well-lived; may you rest in peace.
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R. I. P.
NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT