Sydney Dennis Helmkay
Born: 02 June 1944
Died: 18 March 2024
This world just lost one of the good ones. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Sydney Dennis Helmkay on March 18, 2024. Remaining to cherish his memory are his wife Sandy Helmkay; his son Sean Helmkay (Kelly-Ann McCartney) of Ontario; his daughter Jill (John) Wheeler of Virginia; grandsons Ben and Thomas Wheeler; granddaughters Genevieve and Nellie Helmkay; his stepdaughter Kimberly Ball of Alberta.
Dad grew up ‘on the farm’ just outside the town of Kamsack, SK, with five brothers and one sister. There is no doubt that many of you have heard him tell the stories, with a twinkle in his eye, of the situations (predicaments) that he and, more often or not, his younger brother Harley, would get into during those formative years.
These events, along with learning to fly as a teenage cadet, honed his sense of adventure and directed him down the path of joining the Royal Canadian Navy in 1965. He would go on to serve 34 honorable years (three with the Navy and 31 with the Royal Canadian Air Force). He wore many hats while serving in the military; from Search and Rescue Pilot in Moose Jaw, SK, to Squadron Commander of VU32 in Shearwater, to Canadian Forces Liaison Officer in Bermuda to Commanding Officer of the Recruiting Office for Newfoundland and Labrador. It was, however, his position as a pilot, flying his beloved Sea King, that shaped him the most and allowed him to find that adventure he sought. In various capacities, the infamous Sikorsky took him all over the world and gave him the life he so cherished.
Soon after joining the military, while going through flight training in Portage La Prairie, Dad met his future bride, Jackie Chorney. After his graduation from flight school, the two married and settled on the East Coast. Two kids later, these two prairie-transplants had grown roots and made a new home together. They worked long hours building their family and dream home. Like many in service of their country, they found themselves going off on various postings, but always returning home to Nova Scotia. Unfortunately, after almost 30 years of marriage, Mom passed away in 1998.
This, coupled with his retirement from the military the next year, left Dad feeling rudderless. It was then that he met Sandy Meloche and the next phase of his adventures began. The two of them ended up moving to Kelowna, BC, getting married and then continuing on to Humboldt, SK. His retirement days were spent on the golf course, playing cards and cultivating their expansive and prolific gardens. You can take the boy out of the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of the boy. After Dad’s diagnosis, the two of them decided to move ‘home’ to Nova Scotia to live out their final years together.
We often said that to Dad there were no strangers, just friends he hadn’t met yet. This man could and would talk to anyone who had the opportunity to cross his path. Every single one of those people would leave with a smile on their face, feeling just a little better about their day. That is who Dad was. He will forever be missed.
At this time we would like to thank the astounding staff of Camp Hill Hospital, Ward 3 West. Along with the Home Care nurses, Dartmouth General Hospital staff and the volunteer drivers who would take Sandy to be with Dad on a daily basis. Your kindness will always be remembered.
A remembrance gathering for Dad will be held at the Sea King Club in Shearwater on June 2nd, from 1-4 p.m. This would have been his 80th birthday so it is very fitting to get together and celebrate his life.
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