(1923 – 2024)
Lloyd passed away peacefully on January 6, 2024, in his 101st year, after a brief illness. He had a long and full life for which both he and his family were very grateful.
Family was the centrepiece of Lloyd’s life and what he enjoyed and valued most of all. He was the much loved and admired father of Greg (Jeanine Hammar), cherished grandfather and card-playing partner of Travis (Laura Crickmore), and beloved brother-in-law of Jessie Stoddart.
“Uncle Lloyd” will be greatly missed but fondly remembered by his niece Susan (Eric) Marshall, nephews Rob (Gail) Stoddart and Don (Debbie) Stoddart, and their many children and grandchildren. He will also be missed greatly by his many friends and neighbours.
He was predeceased by his parents, Pearl and Bill Stoddart, his wife Mary (New) and his brother Charles (Chuck) Stoddart.
Lloyd’s childhood fascination with flying and aircraft led him to enlist in the Royal Canadian Air Force at 19 years old, where he served as a pilot during World War II, flying surveillance patrols over the Atlantic Ocean from the east coast of Canada, looking for German submarines.
In civilian life, he had an accomplished career in industry. He rose from an apprentice toolmaker at McKinnon Industries (later General Motors) in St. Catharines to become a foreman, then plant manager, then manufacturing superintendent and general manager for three companies: Anthes Imperial, Molson Industries, and Inter-City Gas. He enjoyed his work immensely, and after ‘retiring’ he became a manufacturing management consultant, and was retained by investors to start up and manage a new company, Odstrum Manufacturing, from 1984-87 in St. Catharines.
He enjoyed travelling and had a lifelong interest in sports, playing several in his younger years, bowling competitively as an adult, bicycling and skating until he was 75 years old, and golfing until he was 92! In his later years he followed baseball (his favourite), football, hockey, and golf closely, and enjoyed discussing the outcomes of games and statistics with family and friends. Always a great storyteller, he was most recently actively engaged in preserving stories about his life and the lives of his family and ancestors for younger family members.
Lloyd battled back from two life threatening illnesses, one in 1967 and the other in 2006, with a remarkable perseverance that was indicative of his determined and independent character. He lived independently in his own house in St. Catharines until he was 98 years old, when he moved to the Amica Dundas retirement residence to be closer to his immediate family.
His family thanks his former St. Catharines neighbours for their wonderful support!
The family also wishes to thank his superb health care providers: Dr. Ahmad Ashrafi and Dr. Jennifer Frendo for their outstanding care in St. Catharines; Dr. Emma Mazurek for her excellent and understanding care in Dundas; the Wellness, Nursing and Personal Support teams at Amica for their daily care and concern; and medical Team C and the staff of the BTU/ICU at Hamilton General Hospital for compassionate care during Lloyd’s final week.
The family wants to commend and thank the staff members in all departments of Amica Dundas for their daily efforts to care for and enrich the lives of residents. Thanks also to Lloyd’s dining partners at Amica for their support and companionship.
In November 2023 Lloyd enjoyed the celebration of his 100th birthday with his many family members and friends at a special reception in St. Catharines. It was wonderful to be able to have a celebration of his life while he was still alive and able to participate! In keeping with Lloyd’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A private family interment will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to a charity of one’s choice if desired. A special way to remember Lloyd would be to do something thoughtful and kind for a neighbour, as he did for many years and his neighbours have done for him in recent ones.
To Greg and the rest of Lloyd’s family. My condolences to you.
I must tell you that the obituary for Lloyd touched me in a very emotional way. Lloyd was my boss at ICG. He motivated me and promoted me in my career. He was also my mentor and best friend. We shared the same November birthday and annually talked over the phone and made arrangements to meet for dinner and celebrate our birthdays and to reminiscence over old times. We stayed in touch for many years into my retirement. He will be truly missed.
Condolences to the family. Lloyd was a friend of my parents (Jim & Evelyn Bazeley) and Lloyd’s parents used to regularly play cards with my grandparents (Spence & Edith Bazeley). I have good memories of them.
Keep a place at the table for us ‘dear friend’ and we will do lunch one day.
Hi Greg
Your dad was a great person. We worked together at Anthes in St, Catharines for many years and were co-advisors for Junior Achievement.
I remember you working as a summer student as well.
Our sincere condolences to you and you family for your loss.
Brian and Rev Carole Langlotz
Greg, So sorry for your loss. I remember many cold nights in the winter skating in your backyard playing hockey after school. May the pain of losing your dad is eased by the many memories that you shared with him. My Regards, Jim Bush
Our Condolences Greg, Jeanine, Travis and Laura
On reading about your father & grandfather.
What an incredible life lived.
A true gentleman.
Thinking about you all with care, Holly and Braden Higgins
So pleased to see that my submission was posted. Lloyd was a great man and I see that from the other tributes that were made.
He was a mentor and developer of junior staff as I saw from the guys who achieved higher goals as a result of his guidance. I personally am aware of several.
Brian Langlotz