William Joseph Aitchison, Colonel Joe to those who knew him in The Royal Canadian Regiment, passed away peacefully in Belleville General Hospital on Thursday, August 21, 2025 with his family by his side. Joe was in his 84th year.
He was loved and respected by many. He was predeceased by his parents, Doug and Marie (née Baes). He leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Elva (Storms) Aitchison, his sons and their wives, Alan & Chris, Craig & Sally, Dan & Julie, his grandchildren Justin, Colin, Kayla, Callie and Alicia, his great grandchildren Nova, James and Olivia, and his loving sisters Jane Galbraith & Margaret Aitchison.
Joe loved what he chose as his career. He was a graduate of the Royal Military College with degree in mechanical engineering. He served in all three battalions of The RCR. His years in the military were good to him with postings to Germany, Cyprus, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. He had the honour of spending four years as Colonel of the Regiment, The RCR. He loved meeting and talking to the young men and women in uniform.
Joe spent many years as a volunteer, first with the Credit Union Board in Trenton. Then onto the Hastings Children’s Aid Society and provincially with the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies. He served as President of the Ontario Association and later represented Children’s Aid Societies on the board of OMERS pension plan. He received the Queen’s jubilee medal for his volunteering.
When he arrives in Heaven he will be greeted warmly by those who have gone before. He was a Royal & Army through and through. Pro Patria.
We would like to thank the wonderful people that cared for Joe over the past 9 months. Thank you to the home care staff from Bayshore, our dear friends at Inspiair, Dr. Chooback, his Oncologist, and her team here in Belleville, his Palliative care team, the staff at BGH, emergency, Quinte 6 and Quinte 5, and Dr. Holt and his team.
For those who would like to give a donation in his honour, a donation to the Trust of The Royal Canadian Regiment or to the Oncology Department at Belleville General Hospital would be wonderful.
The family will receive friends at Payne Funeral Home, 178 Main St., Odessa on Friday, September 5th from 1-4 pm.
Joe’s Celebration of Life will be held at St. Alban the Martyr Church, 10419 Hwy 33, Adolphustown on Sunday, September 7th at 11 am. Interment St. Alban’s Cemetery.
A Reception will follow at South Fredericksburgh Hall, 2478 County Road 8, Napanee. From the church, proceed east on Hwy #33 then turn left on to County Road 8 towards Napanee. In a few miles you will see the hall on your left.
Please share your memories and condolences with the family.
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