Ron Fanfair
The Sharenewspaper
The founding father of the Guyana Ex-Police Association of Canada (GEPAC) is dead.
John Chance passed away last Monday night at the Princess Margaret hospital at age 74.
Two years ago, Chance gathered a group of ex-Guyana police officers to discuss the formation of an association. A steering meeting was formed following the meeting with Chance being elected as the inaugural chair.
The GEPAC - which has engineered several community projects since its formation - is currently preparing to host its first ever international convention in May in Toronto.
"We are deeply saddened by his loss," said the association's president Sgt. Gordon Collins of the Peel Regional Police Force. "Besides having the vision to see the need for this organization, he brought a vast amount of knowledge and experience to our deliberations."
Chance was also active in the Guyana Seniors Association, the Isaac #17 Grand Lodge and the Todmorden Legion.
Before migrating to Canada in 1982, Chance served as a member of the Guyana Police Force for 33 years reaching the rank of Chief Inspector. He also was a member of the Caribbean Regiment which took part in World War Two.
"John was a hard worker and a father figure to the younger brigade of cops coming into the force," said GEPAC vice-president Roger Mattar who has known Chance for the past 40 years. "He always talked about forming a police association and he finally convinced some of us to get together and do it."
Visitation will be held at the McDougall and Brown Funeral Home, 2900 Kingston Rd. (between St. Clair Ave. and McCowan Ave.) this evening and tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day.
The funeral will take place on Saturday at the Don Mills United Church, 126 O'Connor Dr. (at Pape Ave.) beginning at 11a.m.
Chance is survived by his wife Alvena, eight children, 16 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Courtesy of the Sharenewspaper
March 11, 1999