In September 1944, during the Battle of Leopold Canal, a night filled with carnage and devastation, a man exited a small cellar door asking for medical staff to help his wife. His wife had given birth to a baby girl. While soldiers fought through the night, directing artillery fire that was set up on a street between stone houses, one soldier thought the situation carried the irony of life.
That soldier, a decorated war veteran, was elected to the Alberta Legislature in 1952 for the St. Paul Constituency and served in provincial politics for 20 years, 16 as a cabinet minister.
And, on Oct. 7, he celebrated his 100th birthday.
Ray Reierson, spent five years, from 1941 to 1946, in the Canadian Army and was stationed overseas for four years. During the invasion of Europe, he waded ashore seven days after D-Day at Juno Beach, as a Reinforcement Artillery Officer. He served at the front until the end of the war and returned to Canada as a Captain and Adjutant of his regiment.
The centenarian, who now lives in a long-term facility care in Edmonton, lived a life of hard work, integrity, and honour. He is also the longest-standing member of the St. Paul Legion.
“There is no time for regrets, there are too many opportunities to study and keep learning,” says Reierson of his life. Born to immigrant farmers, Reierson served the people of his constituency, driving frequently on gravel roads between St. Paul and Edmonton, and later securing money to pave the highways and the town’s roads. He was also responsible for rural electrification from Cold Lake to St Paul.
The former veteran and MLA joined the army at the age of 21, a decision he had no say in. Reierson, instead, would have liked to attend university, and study to become an engineer. It is his only regret in life, says his daughter, Pam Comstock.
Her father would have thrived in university, she says. He made sure he never got left behind, even ensuring he kept up with the digital world.
“This is a man who could do calculus in his head up until his 80s,” says Comstock.
He credits the secret of his long life to his wife of 70 years, Joyce Reierson’s cooking and the occasional Scotch, he says. Joyce is now 91 years old.
“We travelled extensively and enjoyed our family and friends. We both had very rewarding careers and were involved with many Edmonton organizations,” Reierson says when speaking of his married life.
The couple has four children.
During his time in the war, Reierson says he carried a bottle of Scotch in his sleeping bag for a year – opening it only after the war was won and passing it around to his troops, celebrating their victory.
After the end of the war, he remained in Germany for another year with the occupation force and often stayed in touch with his family through letters.
“Dad is timeless to us. He has always been there for each of us with his wisdom and kindness, along with his intuitive questions holding us to the values he and mom have instilled in us. We are truly lucky,” says Comstock.
Reierson also worked with other veterans, including, the Veterans Affairs in St. Paul and with the Veterans' Land Act where he settled 100 veterans over four years.
He is also responsible for helping build the TELUS House (previously known as AGT Tower) in Edmonton. It was Edmonton’s tallest building between 1971 and 1983. Currently, it is Edmonton’s fifth tallest building.
In 2014, the veteran and former MLA received France’s highest order of merit for military and civil merits, the Legion d'Honneur.
Reierson was a part of the artillery and reinforcement efforts during the invasion of Normandy in 1944. The battle liberated France and became the largest sea-born invasion in the books.
Russell Whitford, who works with the St. Paul Legion, nominated Reierson for the award.
“Over the years, he’s supported us (The Legion), even financially, and had good communications to the community always,” Whitford says.
Adding, he keeps Reierson up-to-date, often sharing news about the happenings in St. Paul and occasionally asking him to identify people in old photos.
Up until two years ago, Reierson and his wife had been living independently and even, cooking their own meals. But, Reierson’s health worsened, with his eyesight slowly fading. On his 100th birthday, he says he would like his eyesight to improve.
So, what’s Reierson's advice to the rest of us? “Tap your skills, be honest, and work with integrity.”
