CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Malcolm Winston Judson was a man of action who exuded strength, courage, and faith.
At 17, “Judd,” as family and friends called him, enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy on July 22, 1942.
“He rose to the rank of able seaman and was assigned to convoy duty during the Battle of the (North) Atlantic, making numerous voyages across that very inhospitable and treacherous ocean,” said Robin Goss, Judson’s oldest grandson.
Judson retired after nearly 26 years of service with various units of the Royal Canadian Navy and Sea Cadets.
On the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the single most pivotal day in the Second World War, the Charlottetown, PEI resident visited Juno Beach in France with his daughter Beverly McBride, to remember and honour his comrades.
“After the courageous commitment grandfather granted to his country, his dedication to public service came into play. He had an extremely distinguished career with the Charlottetown Fire Department, Station 1,” Goss said.
Judson served 50 years with the department, rising to deputy fire chief before he retired. Ronnie and Richie Judson served alongside their father as volunteer firefighters at Station 1.
“I’m trying to get 100 years of service between the three of us,” said Ronnie, who will gain 32 years of service at Station 1 this year, while his brother Richie served 18.
Judson was married to Beatrice (Blanchard) for 64 years, and together, they had eight children.
“But as tough as he seemed at times, ‘Juddie’ was equally compassionate and tender-hearted. He was a tremendous storyteller, armed with a razor-sharp wit and an infectious, devilish laugh. His devotion to his family was unrivalled, and it pained him to see those that he loved suffer,” said Goss.
“All of us experienced his words of encouragement and fierce loyalty when we needed a shoulder to cry on or validation when our lives took an unexpected turn. When you were at your lowest point, he had a special way of being able to lift you."
Goss said Judson loved his family dearly.
“This magnificent patriarch made a special place in his heart for us all: his parents, his brothers and sisters, his wife, his children, his 17 grandchildren, and his 14 great-grandchildren. He was so very proud of such a tremendous legacy.”
Judson is gone, but not forgotten. The Charlottetown Branch #1 of the Royal Canadian Legion honoured Judson with a Veterans Tribute Service on Thursday, Feb. 13.
The following day, the Charlottetown Fire Department Station 1 had an honoured (volunteer) guard stand at the end of Judson’s casket during the funeral service. Afterward, the new rescue fire truck carried Judson – for one last ride – to the cemetery.
“It was a proud day for me,” said Ronnie, with a nod of thanks to his fellow firefighters and, most importantly, his beloved father.
