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Shawn Fleming uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, November 2, 2024
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Beautiful tribute to your Dad. We have you all in our thoughts and prayers. I was saddened to hear about Dales illness and passing. The last time I saw your mom and dad was at our dad's funeral. He was a joy to spend a few minutes with. He was uplifting and gracious and so complimantary about the Bayshore "clan". I still don't know what all our parents did after getting us in bed as kids but they certainly developed freindships! God bless you and may He provide the peice beyond all understanding as you navigate the next steps in life.
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
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Brian Flagel posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Message from Brian Flagel
I was so saddened to hear of Dale’s passing. I’ve known him and the Colter family since I was a young boy delivering newspapers in Emerson, Manitoba where Dale was stationed in the early 60’s. I can’t say Dale and I were good friends at that point because I was 11 or 12 years old and I only encountered him when I was collecting for my delivery services. But I knew him as a friend of my father and they golfed together and shared an occasional beer on the 10th hole (Emerson only had a 9 hole golf course).
But I do recall stories about some of Dale’s exploits at the time. On one occasion he was helping my cousin combine one of his crops. It was common for customs guys to help out the local farmers during harvest time in the small community where everyone knew everyone. I think they were mostly paid in beer. One day they are combining, Dale driving the truck, and a huge flock of Canada geese landed in the field. Not to pass up this opportunity, they radioed (yes, high tech for the 60’s.) my cousin’s wife to bring his shotgun and to call Edith to bring Dale’s 12 gauge.
Of course hunting season hadn’t opened yet but Dale and my cousin didn’t let that deter them. They drove into the middle of the unsuspecting geese who apparently knew it wasn’t hunting season yet and knocked down around 20 geese. (If you’re going to ignore hunting season dates you might as well ignore bag limits as well.) Of course the men had done their part by bringing home the food, and it fell to the women to clean and dress the birds. (It was a different time.) Edith was NOT impressed, especially because they really had no place to store 10 big Canada geese. The men were eventually conscripted into helping to clean the birds. And after all that work the two great hunters were relegated to trying to give away most of their illegally killed geese. Locals were reluctant because they knew the season hadn’t opened yet. I understand they solved the problem partially by giving a few to one of the local Mounties who was a friend of both. As I said, it was a different time.
Dale transferred out of Emerson a few years later and ended up in HQ in Ottawa. I didn’t see him again until after I had joined Customs and had transferred to Vancouver. I was on a management development course and in 1973 was assigned to work with a HQ group led by Dale to improve airport processing procedures. I never did know if he asked for me or whether it was just good luck to be assigned but I was very young to be involved in a project of that scope. We conceived and developed the Primary Inspection Line process where Customs officers were given Immigration authority to determine admissibility to Canada. This meant travellers were only interviewed once, rather than twice, when arriving by air. It was quite revolutionary at the the time and has stood the test of time as it is still in place today, albeit with computers and fingerprint scans, etc.
That was my first exposure to Dale’s organizational and leadership skills. He skillfully managed the delicate relationship with Immigration, Agriculture, and the Ministry of Transport by involving them in the process and respecting their views and concerns. His negotiating skills were partly due to his personality….honest, sincere and respectful for opposing opinions. But he also knew when to bear down and push to get what he wanted. I learned a lot from him in that project and in many others on which I worked with him over the years.
Although he had a great sense of humour, his patience could be tested. I recall receiving a very early morning phone call from him (early morning for him in Ottawa, middle of the night for me in Vancouver) when he was leading the Macedonian mission. One of my officers assigned to the mission had taken, contrary to specific instructions, a brand new Range Rover vehicle that had been donated by another UN country for an overnight visit to Sofia, Bulgaria. Sofia was renowned for being a car theft capital. The officer left it on the street “for a few minutes” and of course it was immediately stolen. Let’s just say his comments regarding my officer were rather strong and not to be repeated around children. But at the end of the conversation we were both laughing. Me because of the time he was going to have explaining this to Finland, him because of what I planned to do to my officer when he returned to Canada.
I am only one of many who Dale mentored over the years. He was always willing to listen and always willing to help, always seeking innovation, and always loved a challenge. I never heard a bad word said about him.
He was a good man. He was respected and admired and loved by many of us. I am honoured to have known him.
He will be remembered.
Brian Flagel
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Barb and Dave Manning posted a condolence
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Message from Barb and Dave Manning
Dale Colter
I was so sorry to hear of Dales Passing even though he has been suffering for such a long time. He was always full of life, full of smiles and chuckles.
My husband David and I took a trip east and had planned to stop in to visit Dale and Edith. Edith emailed us and said to make sure to stop at Gananoque along our way. We did as suggested, and let them know we had landed and how beautiful it was. We walked to the patio and who was sitting there was Dale and Edith. They had booked into our Bed and Breakfast and had planned a trip on the boat cruise through the thousand Islands. Nothing stopped him. He asked the attendant to take his wheel chair and he climbed the stairs to the top deck. WOW. Edith quietly told me that he hadn’t left the house for 2 years. The next day we all left for Ottawa. What a beautiful trip and how convenient to have a lovely hotel right across the street.
I will never forget that visit for the rest of my life. The warmth and memories great laughs and Dales stories. Not having any family left in my life other than Daves family it meant so much to me to spend time with a close caring family Every time I see his picture I just want to hug it tight.
GOD bless Dale and rest in peace. Wish I was closer so I could hug Edith. Life is so fragile and passes so quickly stay safe with your family.
All my love
Barb and Dave Manning
Brian Bustard posted a condolence
Saturday, October 26, 2024
I worked for Dale for many years during the 1980’s. Fond memories of Dale as a great boss, very fair, and professional.
Brian Bustard
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John Popoch posted a condolence
Sunday, October 13, 2024
My account was hacked for about a month and I just recovered it. All that to say I just read at this moment that Mr Colter passed. Im so sad for all four of you, your Mom, and your families.
Its a lousy club to belong to. I know very few things hurt more than losing my Dad so my heart breaks for you. I hope one day you will all be able to have the great memories outweigh the tough ones. I know that doesnt help now. Im glad youre a close family. Itll get you through these tough times.
Hope you all know how much I liked your Dad. I have so many wonderful memories of him growing up in Bayshore with all of you and hanging at the Colter house. But one memory in particular stands out of your Dad I’ve always cherished: Dean and I were in the Cub Car Rally and your Dad took my design on the block of wood they gave us in Cubs and he used his saw and sandpaper and whatnot to make my car for me. He painted it. It did well in the rally. I think i even did better than Dean’s car! I still have that car and I always think of how grateful I am that Mr. Colter carved out and built my car for me. It was a very kind gesture that I will always keep with me.
To your Dad.
Love,
John
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Paul Porrior posted a condolence
Saturday, October 12, 2024
The executive and membership of the Canada Border Services Agency Retiree’s Association (CBSA RA) extends our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and associates of our departed colleague.
Dale's dedicated service to Canada and the CBSA and its legacy organizations will always be remembered.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
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Rob Tait posted a condolence
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Dale was an incredible guy, a good friend, and a true professional . He was universally respected and liked. We worked together for many years and he always had a positive outlook and great sense of humour. Thank you Dale for enriching my life and everyone else’s life as well.
Rob Tait
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Suzanne Beehler posted a condolence
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Sinceres condolences to all family members and close friends. Dale was a fabulous person with a kind ear to anyone.
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Roz Phelps posted a condolence
Monday, September 30, 2024
Dear Colter Family, my daughter and I are so very sorry for your loss. I remember clearly meeting Mr and Mrs C when they came to my house for a ‘doggie fix’ with Marcey and Angelina, who was just a toddler at the time. Such wonderful memories filled with love.
Rosalind (Roz) and Kayla Phelps
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The family of Dale Colter uploaded a photo
Monday, September 30, 2024
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Highland Park Cemetery
2037 Mcgee Side Road,
Carp, Ontario K0A 1L0
Telephone: (613) 831-4600
info@highlandpark.ca
