100-year-old veteran returns home

Bill Shea has lived through a world war, raised a family, and served his community as both a soldier and a police officer. 

But at 100 years old, the Windsor veteran recently faced one of his most difficult battles — stranded in a British Columbia hospital, desperate to return home, while his family fought through layers of bureaucracy to bring him back.

Shea, who turned 100 Aug. 24, traveled to B.C. with his family to go on a cruise. Just days later, he fell ill and was admitted to hospital, where he remained for more than three weeks.

His daughter, Maureen Rudowicz, said her father broke down every time they spoke by phone.    “He cried when I talked to him because he just wanted to come home,” she said. “It was devastating.”

Because Shea was no longer mobile, he couldn’t fly on a commercial airline. His family applied to Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) for medical transport coverage — a benefit Shea earned after serving overseas in the Second World War.

At first, they were told the flight would be covered. But days later, a letter arrived at Shea’s Windsor home stating the request had been denied because he was outside Ontario at the time — a technicality that left the family reeling.

“To be told yes, and then refused because of a policy loophole was infuriating,” Rudowicz said. “My dad was very depressed, and I was beyond frustrated.”

Shea’s sister, Johanne, who accompanied him on the trip, had returned to Windsor the Tuesday after Labour Day because wildfire smoke aggravated her asthma. When she checked his mail, she found another blow: a letter from VAC stating that Shea would have to reapply upon his return for his household benefits because he was out-of-province.

“He’s my only surviving brother,” said Johanne. “We still get together every week for lunch. I baby him. He’s been so good to me and to so many people.”

The ordeal prompted outrage among veterans and community members. The Royal Canadian Legion in Chilliwack arranged hospital visits so Shea wouldn’t feel alone, while local and federal politicians were contacted, including Essex MPP Anthony Leardi, Essex MP Chris Lewis, and Moose Jaw MP Fraser Tolmie, the shadow minister for Veterans Affairs.

But the breakthrough didn’t come from Ottawa. Since news of Shea’s situation spread, several donation campaigns were launched — and then an anonymous donor stepped forward with the full amount needed to cover the medical flight home.

On Monday, Shea's finally arrived back in Windsor, greeted by a full-uniform welcome at the Harrow Legion Branch 338. The timing, his family said, couldn’t be more fitting because Legion Week runs from Sept. 21-27.

“All he wanted was to come home, and thanks to the guardian angel that came through he finally got his wish,” said Rudowicz. 

Rudowicz went on to say that she still plans to appeal the Veterans Affairs decision.

100-year-old veteran returns home

By Donna Tuckwell