WWII veteran Bill Shea returns home

Bill Shea waves to family and friends that welcomed him home Sept. 22.

After weeks of waiting and uncertainty, the long-anticipated reunion for World War II veteran Bill Shea finally happened Sept. 22 at Windsor Airport.

At 4:55 p.m., a private jet carrying the 100-year-old veteran touched down from British Columbia. He was accompanied on the 4.5-hour flight by two registered nurses, Taylor and Gina, who described the journey as smooth and “uneventful in the best way possible.”

On the tarmac, smiles and tears flowed as family, friends, and members of Royal Canadian Legion Br. 338 — dressed in full uniform — gathered to welcome Shea home. A banner wishing him a Happy 100th Birthday waved in front of the crowd.

After being carefully transferred to an awaiting ambulance, Shea waved and blew kisses to those assembled, a gesture that seemed to say: I’m home, and I’m doing okay.

For his daughter, Maureen Rudowicz, the moment was both emotional and hard-won. “My dad has a lot of friends and family and is very active in the Harrow Legion,” she said. “I’m so thankful to the anonymous donor, otherwise he’d still be there. It’s been a month today (Monday) since he’s been in the hospital.”

Rudowicz said the family initially believed Veterans Affairs would cover the cost of returning Shea, only to face delays and uncertainty. 

“When we told him Friday night (Sept. 19) that it was for sure, he said, ‘I hope it doesn’t fall through again,’” she recalled. “Then everything moved really quickly, and here we are, so excited.”

The donor who made Shea’s return possible had seen Rudowicz’s story on the news Thursday night and reached out to help. 

“I’m not done the fight with Veterans Affairs,” said Rudowicz. “I would like to return the funds to the donor.”

The Legion had been preparing to launch a fundraising campaign when word of the donation came in.

Paul Chartier, president of Branch 338, called the gesture nothing short of angelic. 

“Bill is one of our last WWII veterans, and he means a lot to us,” Chartier said. “We were supposed to celebrate his 100th birthday at the Harrow Fair, but that didn’t happen. This was our way of showing how much we care. To the person who donated the money — you’re an angel. We needed him home. We missed him a lot.”

Shea was transported directly to hospital, where his family doctor will oversee his care. Rudowicz said that while her father has no mobility after a month in a hospital bed, he had previously lived alone and remained active.

“He doesn’t complain about anything,” nurse Gina said of the flight. “He talked about being a gunner in the military, about the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force. He was a lovely gentleman to bring home. It was our pleasure.”

For now, family and friends are focused on his recovery, with hopes he’ll be strong enough to attend Remembrance Day ceremonies in November.

“If I know Bill, he’ll bounce back,” Chartier said. “He’s stubborn, but he’s one of ours — and we care a lot.”

WWII veteran Bill Shea returns home

By Donna Tuckwell