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garth_webb_burlington_post_photo

garth_webb_burlington_post_photo
1947
Garth Webb (BCom) died May 8 in Burlington, ON, aged 93, on the 67th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day. Most famously known as the founder and driving force behind the creation of the Juno Beach Centre in France, he was also a devoted father (of Susan, Andrew and Peter), grandfather and great-grandfather. As Lieutenant Webb, he landed on Juno Beach in Normandy with the Canadian 14th Field Artillery on the morning of D-Day, June 6, 1944. His unit experienced significant casualties shortly after leaving the beach, but continued their advance that fateful day to begin the liberation of Europe. After the war, Garth resumed his Queen’s Commerce studies. Upon graduation, he embarked on a successful career as a real estate broker and appraiser in Toronto, married Camilla (Cunningham) (BA’44—deceased, 1992) and raised a family. In June 1994, for the 50th anniversary of D-Day, he returned to the beaches of Normandy with many of the veterans from his unit. The group realized there was little for their children and grandchildren to see there in commemoration of the Canadian involvement in World War II. As a result, Garth and his partner Lise Cooper spearheaded an initiative of Canadian WWII veterans, widows and children of veterans to perpetuate the memory of Canada’s wartime contributions, especially the D-Day sacrifices. After years of raising awareness and funds ($10 million), the Juno Beach Centre was officially opened at Courseulles-sur-Mer, France, on the 59th anniversary of D-Day in 2003, with then Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and his French counterpart Jean-Pierre Raffarin in attendance, along with hundreds of veterans. Garth continued to serve on the Centre’s Board as President of the Association until his death. In addition to his many commendations and military medals, he also received the Meritorious Service Cross, presented by the Governor General in 2003 in recognition of his contributions to the Centre. He was honoured by the French government in 2005 with the Legion of Honour Medal and was proud to learn that a new school in Halton Region that opened in September had been named after him. Visit www.junobeach.org to read more tributes, including one from broadcaster and writer Ted Barris.