A Celebration of Life will be held by the family of Major George Pearce at St Andrew’s Church (60 Simcoe Street in Toronto, on the southeast corner of King and Simcoe Streets, immediately west of University Avenue on the south side of King Street West) on Wednesday August 19. The service in the church will begin at 1100 hrs and conclude with the Sash Ceremony. Highlanders are reminded to bring glengarries and medals for the ceremony. The Service will be followed by a reception with light refreshments in the Great Hall of the Church. The Museum will be open for visits by family, guests and Highlanders before, during and after the reception. All 48th Highlanders are welcome to attend and pay their respects to the family for the long and significant service of Major Pearce to The Regiment.
Major Pearce served as an Officer in the 48th Highlanders of Canada and, upon his retirement as an officer with the active unit, continued his contributions to The Regiment as a member of the Officers’ Association. Major Pearce served in the Parachute Regiment during his stay in England 1960-61. He represented the 48th Highlanders at Buckingham Palace and later spearheaded the Canadian Military Musical Contingent’s assembly at Wembley Stadium. He planned and directed the Royal Salute to her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, at CNE stadium in 1984. He received 3 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Commemorative Medals: Silver in 1977; Gold in 2003; and Diamond in 2013. His depth of knowledge of military protocol and traditions was deep and was most evident on television broadcasts of Remembrance Day Services. For twenty-two years, he made significant contributions to national television broadcasts of Remembrance Day Parades and Ceremonies from Ottawa, reporting for the CBC.
Major Pearce was also deeply knowledgeable about the 48th Highlanders’ traditions, uniforms and history of service to Canada and the defence of freedom. An article by Major Pearce in the Winter/Spring 2014 issue of The Falcon dealing with the history of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Colonel-in-Chief of The Regiment, the Trooping of the Queen’s Colour by The Regiment and the presentation of new colours to The Regiment by the Queen on July 1, 1959 assists with gaining an appreciation for the depth of Major Pearce’s knowledge and expertise; you will find that issue of The Falcon at: Falcon June 2014. Scroll to Major Pearce’s article on page 19.
Major Pearce leaves behind a sister, four children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
We encourage all Highlanders to pay tribute to Major Pearce’s legacy of honour, commitment and service to The Regiment by attending the celebration of Major Pearce’s life at St. Andrew’s Church on Wednesday, August 19 at 1100 hrs