W.H. Langdon

MR. W.H. LANGDON "Herb" of Kearney Died July 15 in his eighty-eighth year after a lengthy illness, leaving his wife, Patricia (nee King). Herbert was the father of Jane and Anne, the son of William Osgoode and Wilma nee Klotz, brother of Joanne Wood (deceased) and John Kenneth, and grandfather of David Langdon Cayley and Clare Anne Cayley. Former wives include the late Mary (nee Zudel) and the late Barbara (nee Carter). Herbert Langdon graduated from RMC in June of 1941 as a full lieutenant, served briefly with the Royal Canadian Regiment before transferring to the First Special Service Force, a combined Canadian/US elite assault unit of brigade size. His first action was at Monte Defensa in Italy, followed by the Anzio landings, the capture of Rome, and the invasion of Southern France. Herb was made company commander after Anzio. He was wounded in action in the breakout from the Anzio beachhead and also suffered a permanent hearing impairment while directing the fire of a supporting tank. On his return from overseas Herb attended Osgoode Hall and was called to the bar in 1948, joining the Ontario Civil Service soon thereafter. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1960 while serving as assistant Crown Attorney in Toronto. In 1977 he was appointed Deputy Director of Ontario Crown Attorneys, retiring from this position in 1983. In his latter years he lived quietly in the country near Algonquin Park with his beloved dogs. He remained physically active for all but the final year of life, splitting firewood, shoveling snow and patrolling on foot or on skis his acreage and surrounding countryside. A keen lover of nature, he encouraged bears and other wild life to visit his home - a policy not always appreciated by his dogs. Herbert's grandfather, Kenneth Murney Langdon, was the first Langdon to become a lawyer, graduating from Osgoode Hall circa 1899. Since then there have been four sons, three grandsons, two great grandsons and two great great grandchildren who have followed him into the law. A celebration of Herb's life will be held at the Opatovsky Funeral Home-Dempster Chapel, 210 Ontario Street in Burk's Falls, Ontario on Saturday, July 18th at 11 a.m. (705) 382-3222. A memorial service is planned for the autumn in Toronto. Details to be announced. If desired, donations to a charity of your choice would be sincerely appreciated by the family.