A decorated veteran who worked to give unnamed veterans their place of recognition in Canada will now have a street in his name. The late Major Gerald Wharton was remembered and honoured at a ceremony Thursday at Ottawa City Hall as part of the Commemorative Street Naming For Veterans Program. Gerald Wharton Avenue will be located in a brand-new community in Stittsville, set to be built at the intersection of Shea Road and Flewellyn Road. “I do think if he knew about this street naming ceremony, he would have been the first in line to reference somebody, to put somebody forward for it and not himself,” said Wharton’s daughter Wendy Wharton. Born February 16, 1935 in Edmonton, Wharton joined the Canadian Armed Forces at the age of 17. He served with the 1st Battalion, The Canadian Guards and the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. He had a goal of serving his country for 50 years and did so by moving into public service following his retirement from the military. Wharton went on to become the Chief of Ceremonial and Protocol Services with the Department of Public Works, where provided expertise on ceremonial protocol for significant events and ceremonies, including Royal Tours and the Olympic Games. “I don’t think he ever searched or looked for accolades,” said Wharton. “He was very happy to be behind the scenes and make sure that the flags were in the right order, and everybody knew what they were doing.” Wharton was also a key contributor in the creation of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, described as one of his proudest achievements. “I do remember him telling us the detail and the care and the dignity that went into every step of the way for the tomb of the Unknown Soldier” Alongside being known as a man who stood for his country, family was just as important to Wharton. “He was also fun and goofy,” recalls Wharton’s granddaughter, Heather Toycen, who enjoyed sharing Remembrance Days with her grandfather. “He had the early morning swim club to jump in the lake bright and early before anyone was awake, and he would roll in the snow.” Wharton passed August 9, 2024, at the age of 89. While the street that will bear Wharton’s name has not been built yet, developer Caivan has promised the street sign will be erected within two years. “I think it’s great that when you think of a new neighborhood springing up in our community. We live in a wonderful city. We live in freedom because of the sacrifices of the members of the Canadian Armed Forces over generations,” said Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. “I like to think that a child will see a street sign with a poppy on it and maybe want to know why. Why is a poppy on a street sign? Who was that person? Maybe to be inquisitive and ask questions, and then they’ll learn. They’ll learn the importance of remembrance,” added Sharon McKeown, Dominion Command President of the Royal Canadian Legion. Now, even in passing, Wharton’s name will be used to help provide direction as Ottawa grows. “When that sign goes up, we are going to walk down that street with our shoulders back at pace and say, ‘Dad, this is for you,’” says Wharton.
