In Memoriam:
Clifford
Currie ‘Bud’ Munroe
[This
is] to celebrate the life of Clifford Currie ‘Bud’ Munroe, born 12
June 1907 to Freeman and Mary Munroe, loving brother to Percy, Angus,
Gordon and Rita.
Bud
was raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
He attended St. Francis
Xavier University
with dreams of entering into
Medical School. Following one year of
study, Bud entered into the Nova Scotia Police Department on 16 May 1930.
He continued his career with them until 31 May 1932
and then joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Bud retired at the rank of Corporal in April 1957. At the completion of Bud’s law enforcement career, he went to
work for the Industrial Accident Prevention Association until he
finally decided to retire.
Bud’s
life story began 95 years ago. His
accomplishments were both significant and many and his life reads like
a best selling novel with each page marking a new adventure.
When we remember Bud, we can take our minds to a time when the
Canadian North was patrolled by Mounties with dog teams and we can
remember the true grit and tenacity of spirit that were owned by
people like Bud. He was a
man who lived his life with conviction and a real sense of what was
right and proper.
Starting
at a young age, Bud began his service to people as a Boy Scout in
1924. Bud became
increasingly interested in first aid and around 1937, while working
with the RCMP, he became a first aid instructor with St. John’s
Ambulance.
During war time, Bud organized Volunteered Aid detachments to
travel overseas. Through
his many years and dedicated service, Bud was elevated to the highest
order of St. John’s: Commander in the order of
St. John’s.
While
a member of the RCMP, one of Bud’s many responsibilities was to
teach proper decorum and etiquette to new officers.
This etiquette was showcased during a regimental dinner for
King George of England
that was arranged by Bud.
This tradition is carried on to this day.
Bud remained a loyal member of the RCMP Veterans Association.
In
1998, Bud was privileged to achieve his Fourth Degree Investiture with
the Knights of Columbus in Stirling, ON.
Bud
married Rita Suni, following a courtship that swept both of them off
their feet and kept them flying high.
Bud and Rita were both working towards their pilot’s license
when they fell in love. Neither
of them completed flying school as a result of their whirlwind
romance. Although Bud and
Rita did not have any children of their own, they did touch the lives
of many children. Bud and
Rita set up an annual scholarship program for St. Theresa’s Catholic
School
to assist students in achieving higher education.
Although
this chapter of Bud’s remarkable life has been closed, we can all
take comfort in his belief in Jesus Christ and eternal life in Heaven.
If living your life in the service of others truly means a
closeness to God, then Bud’s spirit is beginning the greatest of
adventures.
This tribute to Bud is from his funeral
service.
During 1974, with the approval of the late Chief, Captain Patrick Munro of Foulis, Bud and Rita organized Clan Munro Association of Canada.
Webmasters Note:
Even
as a young and possibly troublesome youth, Bud never treated me as
such, and always seemed to have time just for me whenever we visited
each other. He always seemed to have a smile on his face and a joke in
his speech. One of my favorite memories of Bud is when my family was
visiting him and Rita, we had dinner at his house. After dinner, ice
cream was served for dessert. My father tried to chastise my brother
and me for stirring our ice cream. We look over, and there's Bud
happily stirring HIS ice cream! He is remembered by me as a Gentleman of Good Humour, and
he is missed by the members of CMAC.