[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Alex Blair

We lost another true hero...Padre Mike Dalton has passed on...
RIP soldier,..

Passes Away
Posted by Adam Liefl

Decorated for his bravery during the Second World War, Ontario's oldest Roman Catholic priest has died at age of 106 in a Courtland seniors home.
The Diocese of London says Reverend Michael Dalton may have been the oldest Catholic priest in Canada.
Born on May 5th, 1902 near Goderich, Dalton was one of 10 children, and he was ordained as a priest in 1932.
Dalton retired in 1970 and lived at a retirement home in Courtland until his death.

Just another write up on Padre Mikes passing..
We are proud to be part of the Dalton Clan and saw Father Mike last year on a visit to his retirement home on our way through to Windsor..
A true hero and the most highly decorated 2 nd World War Canadian padre.

Ontario’s oldest Catholic priest dies
Father Michael Dalton, 106, was Courtland resident
Posted By John Miner SUN MEDIA
Posted 19 hours ago


Decorated for his bravery during the Second World War, Ontario's oldest Roman Catholic priest died Monday at 106.

Rev. Michael J. Dalton may have been the oldest Catholic priest in Canada, the Diocese of London said.

In a 2004 interview with The London Free Press, Dalton was asked the secret to his longevity. "God only knows," he replied with a twinkle in his eyes.

Born May 5, 1902 near Goderich, Dalton was one of 10 children. He was ordained as a priest on May 21, 1932.

In 1939 he became a chaplain with the Essex Scottish Regiment and served with them in England, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. ??

The Essex Scottish was part of the ill-fated Dieppe raid, suffering extreme casualties. Of the 558 soldiers from the regiment who hit the beach only 44 returned.

While Dalton wasn't part of the landing, he had the job of writing to soldiers' families, notifying them of their deaths.

The Diocese of London archives has a photo of Father Dalton offering Mass on the hood of a jeep two days before the D-Day invasion.

Three times during his overseas service Dalton was hit by shrapnel, twice while travelling in a jeep.

Dalton received the Military Cross for his bravery and service and was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by King George VI in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 1943. He was the first Catholic priest to receive the recognition.

His parish assignments in Ontario have included Holy Name of Mary, Windsor, St. Alphonsus, Windsor, Most Precious Blood, Windsor, St. John the Evangelist, Woodslee and St. John de Brebeuf and Companions, Kingsville.

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In 1967, Dalton was named Veteran of the Year and Citizen of the Year by the City of Windsor. In 2001, the City of London created Father Dalton Drive in honour of his war service.

Dalton retired in 1970, but continued to serve as chaplain to the Sacred Heart Sisters in Courtland. He lived at a retirement home in Courtland until his death.