In Memoriam
Through the years that the Air Cadet Program has functioned in Manitoba many individuals have provided numerous hours of their time to ensure the program has been available for our Air Cadets. Some have achieved significant influence on the program. They have passed on, accordingly in respect and in recognition of their many years and financial backing we have enclosed these short biographies.
CAPTAIN (Retired) MARK DELMAGE C.D.
1952 - 2021
Mark Delmage served the Air Cadet Program for close to 55 years as a civilian instructor, officer and Commanding Offer and as a Manitoba Provincial Committee Director.
MARK DELMAGE On January 8th the Air Cadet League of Manitoba lost a dedicated supporter of the air cadet movement. Captain (Ret’d) Mark Delmage CD, passed away after a lengthy illness.
The air cadet movement was a life-long passion for Mark. In 1965, as a 13-year-old, he enrolled in #82 RCACS Brandon. During the next five years, he rose to the rank of Squadron Warrant Officer, participated in the International Air Cadet Exchange and earned his private pilot’s licence. Upon completion of his cadet service, he again joined #82 RCACS Brandon, first as a civilian instructor, then with the Cadet Instructor Cadre. Mark moved up the ranks of captain and became the commanding officer of #82 for many years.
Mark spent 30 summers on the staff of various cadet camps throughout Canada, including the appointment as supervising officer of the flying scholarship programme on 28 occasions. Following his retirement as a uniformed officer, he continued as an active member of the League up to the time of his passing. By that point, Mark had participated in the movement for close to 55 years.
By profession, Mark was a chemist, and an award-winning physics and chemistry educator, initially teaching at Brandon University and then St. John’s Ravenscourt in Winnipeg. He was also interested in film and film projection. For close to 50 years he was a volunteer projectionist and well known for his involvement in the Brandon Film Festival and Evans Theatre. Here too, was a connection with the air cadet movement, as he trained many of his #82 RCACS cadets as film projectionists. He enlisted them as volunteers, thus making the Brandon Film Festival a leading cultural event.
It may be said that the theme of Mark’s life was the betterment of others. As was said of him by one of his Film Festival colleagues, “he led from the front, taught by the side and pushed us from behind”. Down through the years, hundreds of young Canadians were beneficially and enduringly shaped by Mark’s instruction, example and concern. For many, our leader and our teacher became our friend. We held him in the highest regard and he will be missed dearly.
End of mission old friend, well done, stand easy.
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
John Gillespie Magee