Pausing at first, Stocky Edwards smiles at the ground when asked to name his favourite hockey team.

B次元官网网址淢ontreal Canadians B次元官网网址� they played hockey like hockey.B次元官网网址�

The decorated Second World War fighter pilot ace B次元官网网址� whose own hockey abilities sparked the interest of the Chicago Black Hawks B次元官网网址� momentarily contemplates his life if he chose a career in hockey rather than joining the military.

B次元官网网址淭he hockey was sort of born-in - we had lots of it,B次元官网网址� he recalls playing in Battleford, Sask. at school, where one of his teachers was an ex-NHL player who had a friend with connections to the Black Hawks. B次元官网网址淥f course you never know, (but) I was small.B次元官网网址�

The Comox resident, who has been knighted by the French government, is an Order of Canada recipient, a Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame inductee and was named one of the 100 most influential Canadians in aviation made the comments prior to celebrating another milestone Saturday - that of becoming a centenarian.

Edwards is taking the milestone in stride.

B次元官网网址淚 think everyone will get the same feeling as it approaches, youB次元官网网址檙e not sure if youB次元官网网址檙e going to get there or not.B次元官网网址�

Growing up, Edwards says he considered many careers, but joining the military was not one of them. As the Second World War broke out he changed his mind.

B次元官网网址淚 thought IB次元官网网址檇 like to be a pilot. From my point of view, there isnB次元官网网址檛 a better place for a young person for training, for all sort of parts of life, not just military. They are just doing their best - all they want to do is go out and do a job for somebody B次元官网网址�. they donB次元官网网址檛 think of their lives at all they just want to help people.B次元官网网址�

CanadaB次元官网网址檚 highest-scoring ace in the Western Desert Campaign, Edwards earned respect for his quick reflexes, flying abilities and shooting instincts while serving with 260 Squadron in the Western Desert Air Force in North Africa in 1943.

During the war, he flew Spitfires (his favourite plane) after first piloting a Kittyhawk, which has since been refurbished by Vintage Wings of Canada.

By the start of 1943 when he was a flight commander, Edwards had earned a Distinguished Flying Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for acts of valour or courage.

B次元官网网址淚 am (proud) in my quiet little way. I did 373 combat missions. You get sort of B次元官网网址� you donB次元官网网址檛 know anything else. The day the war was over, it was a feeling of B次元官网网址榳hat do I do now?B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址�

Following retirement and in between spending time with his wife Toni and their four children, eight grandchild, 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, Edwards is passionate about the environment around him, particularly preserving it for future generations.

For 40 years, he and his family have supported Ducks Unlimited and the restoration work they do in the Comox Valley.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e doing a wonderful job - theyB次元官网网址檙e saving some of the things weB次元官网网址檙e losing and educating too, especially the young people. I would like young people to really get more into nature then we are.B次元官网网址�

Greg Sawchuck, senior B.C. director for Ducks Unlimited Canada recognizes EdwardsB次元官网网址� support for the organization.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 donated to our local banquets and he and Toni always attend our banquets. Him and I have gotten together, and said B次元官网网址榟ey, your 100th birthday is coming up, we should do something special,B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� so we teamed up and worked together and looked towards raising $100,000 for Ducks Unlimited Canada for wetlands, waterfowl and wildlife and hopefully weB次元官网网址檒l get there. ItB次元官网网址檚 really wonderful that he put his name towards the program. IB次元官网网址檓 really proud and pleased with that.B次元官网网址�

On June 5, the streets of Comox were set to be filled with dignitaries, military members, RCMP officers and more driving (and flying) by wishing Edwards a 100th happy birthday. Two CF-18 Hornets from 4 Wing Cold Lake were set to do a flyby over Comox over Comox at an altitude as low as 500 feet.

EdwardsB次元官网网址� son Jim, says heB次元官网网址檚 extremely proud of his father and grateful for those celebrating with him. While his siblings could not be in the Comox Valley for the birthday due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, he notes he is representing his entire family at the celebrations.

B次元官网网址淵ou think people wouldnB次元官网网址檛 want to talk about the war anymore; when you reach his age, you donB次元官网网址檛 have peers any more, (but) the whole family is immensely proud.B次元官网网址�

Edwards says now his life revolves around Toni, whom he has been married to for 72 years.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 my life. I just hope I lived it well because IB次元官网网址檝e always done the best I could.B次元官网网址�

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