Obituary of Cuthbert Jackson Diamond
Cuthbert (Bert) Diamond
April 6, 1936 – April 13, 2022
Bert was born in Montreal on 6 April 1936. He is one of 7 siblings, born of hard-working immigrants from Scotland and Ireland.
He started his military career as a Reservist in 4 Pers Dep Montreal and then to Regular Army to RCASC Camp Borden. From there he would go on to 57 Cdn Signal Unit in the Congo, back to RCASC in CFB Borden. A little stint at HQ Camp Valcartier then on to 56 Cdn Tpt Coy Egypt back to CFSAL CFB Borden, to Canadian Forces Attache Office in Accra Ghana for 2 years, and back to CFSAL at CFB Borden, HQ CFB Trenton, HMCS Hunter Windsor, onward to 4 CMBG HQ & SIGS in Lahr, Germany and finally to HQ & SIGS in Kingston, where he retired in 1989.
During this time he found time to get married to Sharen and father 2 amazing kids, Dawn and Meri who fortunately love to travel. Dawn (Al) & Matie and Meri (Brett) & Jaxon are happily settled in Kingston.
Bert is survived by sister Linda and brothers Terry(Cheryl) and Ken (Diane) and many nieces and nephews and sister-in-law Doris.
Predeceased: Mother Jessie Diamond, father George Diamond, and brothers George and Tom.
Retirement didn't slow Bert down, much. He became very involved with the Royal Canadian Legion as President of Branch 560, Deputy Zone Commander, Zone Commander, and District Commander for G1, and served as President of Legion Villa for a period of time. He supported the city of Kingston by volunteering and assisting in the city’s November 11 ceremonies and other AD HOC committees in the community.
Bert loved his sports, whether playing hockey, golf, curling, or baseball or supporting his favorite teams, he was an avid fan.
In 2014 Bert was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Bert (and his family) received a great amount of care and support in these later years from the team at Kingston Alzheimers Society, Hildagard Adult Day Care at Providence Manor, and finally Long Term Care at the Manor. During his time in Long Term Care, he received so much love, care, and support from the nursing staff, the PSWs, and the reception team who all helped him and his family to get through his final days in comfort. There are so many of you out there, I'm afraid if I start listing them I will surely miss someone. You know who you are and you have my greatest respect and admiration for the job you do. Well done.
There will be a celebration of Bert's life at a later, safer date. To be announced.
Donations to the Alzheimer's Society or Camda Sports Foundation Canada (to assist youth in Canada to realize their dream in all levels of sports, arts, and music) in remembrance of Bert, would be gratefully received.
RIBBONS – they swirl, they twirl, they knot, they ravel, they become entwined.
I try to catch them, smooth them. They won't be tamed.
I see one ripple by me. It has a thought – I recognize this – my mind grabs for this and even as I speak
it twirls away.
I am left wordless.
The ribbons whirl and twirl and dance sometimes so fast I cannot grasp a single stray thread.
Sometimes they become knotted and too many rememberings collide and I become very confused
and I mix old ideas with new.
It makes me very sad and angry. And I don't even want to think or remember.
I get tired trying to chase the ribbons.
Sometimes in dreams I can snatch a ribbon long enough so I can see thoughts and people and
places that once were. But then the ribbon whirls away. It gets lost in the tangle of other times.
I try to hold tight of the ribbons.
They are very strong and just as a thought begins to come clear, they dance away and I am left with the
thought barely complete.
The ribbons weary me.
But as long as I have the ribbons, I have the rememberings and I am me.
And so I watch my husband there
Sleeping in his easy chair.
He grasps for something in the air,
Something which isn't there.
Maybe ribbons twirling in the air.
S. Diamond
Aug 2018
