RCL Branch 233

PASSING OF JAMES K. STEPHENSON

WWII Veteran

Comrades, it is with grea sadness I report Comrade James K. Stephenson Veteran WW2 passed away January 14th 2021 at the age of 96. Comrade James was a member of our branch for 66 years!

Comrade James ENLISTED 28TH JULY 1943 ROYAL CANADIAN ARTILLERY TRANSFERRED ROYAL CANADIAN ARMY SERVICE CORP SERVICE# B-149875 DATE OF DISCHARGE APRIL 3 1946. THEATRES OF SERVICE CANADA, UNITED KINGDOM, CONTINENTAL EUROPE. MEDALS 1939-45 STARS FRANCE & GERMANY STAR CANADIAN VOLUNTEER SERVICE MEDAL & CLASP.

Comrade James is the father of Ken Stephenson past president and life member of our branch. We will be lowering the flag at half mast in honour of Comrade James. The family has indicated they will be having a private family service.

Lest We Forget, We Will Remember

Barry Kimber President Branch #233

Royal Canadian Legion, Col Fitzgerald

He was born July 1925

Banquet HALL Painting

Our freshly painted banquet room! (More pictures on the Banquet Hall Rental Page)

Our painters from Procare Painting Orangeville: Luke Panoussis and owner Ken Appleby.

See more pictures on th Banquet Hall Rental page

Our painters from Procare Painting Orangeville: Luke Panoussis and owner Ken Appleby.

Comrades,

I'm pleased to say our banquet room is now freshly painted. Wow, what a difference! It presents itself like a room that can be used for all occasions. We had two marvelous volunteers from Procare Painting: owner Ken Appleby (on the right above) and Luke Panoussis (on the left above) make this happen. We have so many wonderful people in our community who are willing to give their time and money to help our organization achieve greater opportunities for recovery from this pandemic. Even the supplier of the paint donated 10 gallons towards this project: Thank you to Dulux Paint Orangeville.

I would also like to thank Comrade Chuck Simpson 1st Vice President for helping me with preparation of the hall for painting. I think we removed a thousand staples from the ceiling. A shout out to Comrade Ruth Garwood for connecting us to these great volunteers. When we get back to some normality, I'm hoping our rental income will improve. So many families have postponed their events due to this pandemic. This is another opportunity for recovery.

Once again, to Ken and Luke; thanks from all of us!

Barry Kimber President Branch #233

Passing of Greg Fisher

It is with great sadness that we were informed of the passing of our comrade, Greg Fisher on January 2nd, 2021. Greg was a member of Branch 233 Orangeville for over 27 years. He was a past member of the executive, house manager at one time and was a very active participant in the Poppy Campaign. Greg was also a retired member of the Peel Regional Police. The Canadian flag at the branch is now at half mast in his honour. Please click on the link below for the obituary and tributes.

“Lest We Forget” “We Will Remember”.

Obituary and tributes

please help support the orangeville legion

We are reaching out to our community for help. Many of you have enjoyed a meal, played bingo or attended one of our many other events. There have been many members over the years, perhaps even your parent or grandparent were a member. Almost everyone has fond memories of our Orangeville Legion which was founded back in 1935.

The legion supports our military veterans and their families. In our community our legion also donates to many charities including the food bank, hospital and gives support to seniors and youth in our town. Our legion is a nonprofit organization which is run by volunteers. You don't have to have been a veteran to be a member, just have a desire to help us keep the Remembrance and help the community.

Due to having to close our branch back on March 16th because of Covid-19 our financial loss has been severe, as our branch’s income comes from renting our hall, as well as food and bar sales. Our president, Barry Kimber, put in an insurance claim for loss of income due to the outbreak, but we were denied as were all other legions in Ontario. Our branch was counting on receiving money from our insurance company, but since the claims were denied, we are asking for your help. Some legion branches will not survive this.

Please make a donation to our Orangeville Legion, Branch 233 to help us to be able to continue making more great memories for the people of Orangeville. Please remember every little bit helps, all small donations do add up, and we appreciate any help you can give. Thank you

If you prefer to donate by cheque please contact the legion. Thank you for your support!!!!

Please see on our Branch News Page, how you can send a letter to our MP to help petition for more support for the Legion Branches in Canada.

Please click ON THE PICTURE to take you to the GoFundMe page to help support our Orangeville Legion

COLONEL FITZGERALD BRANCH 233, ORANGEVILLE

THE LITTLE LEGION WITH A BIG HEAR Comrades and friends of the R.C.L. Br 233 Orangeville. More good news about this community that we are a part of. This afternoon, the branch was paid a visit by the Northerners MotorCycle Club. Just a fantastic bunch of riders from the local area who truly like the freedom of getting on their bikes and getting out and enjoying themselves. Not only did they come visit us, but a bunch of their friends as well (cars of course). It was great to see so many new people come and spend some time with us. But, there was an added surprise. They came to make a donation in support of this legion. Randy Duncan, who spoke for the group, let us know that a great many of the riders had relatives who had served this country of ours (W1/WW2), with some making the ultimate sacrifice. He further said, that as a group, the discussion had was that with the Legion being in need, they had to do something. He mentioned that due to the covid-19 crisis, their club has been unabl

Please browse through the various sections of our website to learn more about our organization, our branch, its mission, and its part in our community that reaches far beyond Remembrance Day.

ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION

Founded in 1925, the Royal Canadian Legion is Canada’s largest Veteran support and community service organization. We are a non-profit organization with a national reach across Canada as well as branches in the U.S., Europe and Mexico. With more than 275,000 members, many of whom volunteer an extraordinary amount of time to their branches, our strength is in our numbers and in our efforts.

BUT WAIT, THERE IS MORE!

There is no requirement now to have a family link to a veteran in order to become a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. Although our main focus continues to be care of Veterans, their dependents, and those still serving in the Canadian Forces, Legions throughout Ontario contribute to the well-being of our communities by sponsoring numerous community programs. Click on our links to learn even more!

LEGION COMMEMORATION OF V-E DAY

May 8th 2020 marked the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two in the European theatre of operations with the surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allies. We commemorate the sacrifices and the loss of life on both sides of this conflict in the fervent hope that this kind of global conflict never occurs again.

On behalf of the Orangeville Legion; Barry Kimber (President), Chuck Simpson (1st Vice President), Chris Skalazob (Sgt-at-Arms), and Dave Burgess (Branch Bugler) met in the afternoon at the Orangeville cenotaph in Alexandra Park and commemorated V-E Day with a small service and the placing of a V-E Day wreath. (More pictures below.)

More than one million Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in WWII. Over 45,000 Canadians gave their lives, and an additional 55,000 were wounded.

Many Canadians wore red on this day to commemorate the event and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. The Royal Canadian Legion was holding a special photo event where you could send in your pics wearing red. Wearing red on Fridays is a sign of Remembrance but this was of course, a very special Friday.

There are fewer and fewer WWII veterans still left alive, but their contributions to keep us free, live on.

Lest We Forget. We WILL Remember Them.

For our veterans

Hello! Hang in there everyone.

Please see the notice under Branch News that gives more info and phone numbers for support.

Just a gentle reminder that while our Orangeville Royal Canadian Legion may be closed for the time being, our confidential, knowledgeable volunteers are still open for business when it comes to assisting our Veterans. Anyone who has served, or is serving, Canadian or Allied Veterans, and requires help of any kind is encouraged to reach out and call the Legion and leave a message: 519-942-4895, or email the Orangeville Legion at: rcl233@rogers.com

Welcome to Branch 233, Orangeville

PASSING OF JAMES K. STEPHENSON

WWII Veteran

Banquet HALL Painting

Our freshly painted banquet room! (More pictures on the Banquet Hall Rental Page)

Our painters from Procare Painting Orangeville: Luke Panoussis and owner Ken Appleby.

Our painters from Procare Painting Orangeville: Luke Panoussis and owner Ken Appleby.

Our painters from Procare Painting Orangeville: Luke Panoussis and owner Ken Appleby.

Our painters from Procare Painting Orangeville: Luke Panoussis and owner Ken Appleby.

Our painters from Procare Painting Orangeville: Luke Panoussis and owner Ken Appleby.

Special Announcement

Passing of Greg Fisher

Passing of Howard McKinnon - December 13th 2020

please help support the orangeville legion

COLONEL FITZGERALD BRANCH 233, ORANGEVILLE

ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION

BUT WAIT, THERE IS MORE!

LEGION COMMEMORATION OF V-E DAY

Branch 233 thanks all essential workers during these trying times. We salute you!

For our veterans