Photo: Andy Carswell

This Father’s Day, Honour Those Who Serve: The Carswell Family Legacy

Three generations of service and the enduring commitment to support veterans

Today, on Father’s Day, we conclude our special three-part series “In His Honour” with a story that beautifully illustrates how the legacy of military service weaves through generations, creating not just family traditions but lasting commitments to supporting those who serve.

The legacy of military service runs deep in many Canadian families, and the Carswell family exemplifies how service, sacrifice, and support create ripples that extend far beyond individual tours of duty. Their story reminds us that behind each person who serves is a family whose strength and resilience deserve our recognition and gratitude.

A Legacy That Spans Generations

The Carswell family’s connection to military service reads like a chapter from Canadian military history itself. It begins with Sergeant Morrison Carswell, John’s grandfather, who demonstrated exceptional valor during the First World War. His courage under fire earned him the Military Medal, setting a standard of excellence and bravery that would inspire future generations of his family.

This tradition of distinguished service continued with John’s father, RCAF Squadron Leader Andy Carswell, a Second World War veteran whose post-war service would prove equally remarkable. Andy transitioned from wartime duties to flying the Canso aircraft for Search and Rescue operations along Canada’s treacherous west coast during the 1950s. His exceptional bravery and flying skills during these life-saving missions earned him the Air Force Cross, an honor personally bestowed upon him by Queen Elizabeth II.

John himself continued this proud tradition by serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force, carrying forward the family commitment to protecting Canada and its values.

The Next Generation Steps Forward

The legacy continues to grow. John’s excitement is evident when he shares that his own son, Colin, an infantry officer with the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, recently became a father himself. This news represents not just personal joy but the continuation of a family tradition that now spans four generations of service and sacrifice.

Colin’s service with one of Canada’s most distinguished infantry regiments adds another chapter to the Carswell family’s remarkable military history, while his new role as a father ensures that the values of service, duty, and commitment will be passed to yet another generation.

From Service to Support: Building a Business with Purpose

The impact of his father’s service left such a profound impression on John that it shaped not only his values but his business decisions. When John established his company, he chose to name it Canso Investment Counsel after the PBY-5A Canso aircraft that his father flew during those crucial Search and Rescue missions.

This wasn’t merely a nostalgic gesture—it was a deliberate choice to honor his father’s service while building a business founded on the same principles of reliability, courage, and commitment to helping others that characterized Andy’s military career.

Commitment in Action: Veterans House

Canso Investment Counsel’s support extends far beyond a meaningful name. The company has been a steadfast supporter of True Patriot Love since the foundation’s inception, demonstrating how business success can be leveraged to support those who serve.

Perhaps most significantly, Canso Investment Counsel helped build Veterans House: the Andy Carswell Building, a vital community resource for veterans in Ottawa who are at risk of homelessness. By naming this facility after John’s father, the family has created a lasting tribute that serves a critical need while honoring Andy’s memory in the most meaningful way possible—by helping fellow veterans.

The Ripple Effect of Recognition

Veterans House represents more than just housing; it embodies the understanding that supporting veterans means addressing their real, practical needs. For veterans facing the challenge of homelessness, having a safe, supportive community can mean the difference between despair and hope, between isolation and connection.

The Andy Carswell Building stands as a testament to how honoring the past can directly impact the present, providing tangible support to those who have served while ensuring that the memory of Squadron Leader Andy Carswell lives on through meaningful action.

A Community of Support

John’s story illustrates a fundamental truth about military families: their commitment to service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. Instead, it often transforms into lifelong dedication to supporting others who serve. Whether through business decisions, philanthropic support, or community building, families like the Carswells demonstrate that once you’re part of the military community, you remain committed to its wellbeing.

The support provided by donors and volunteers like John creates a network of care that extends across generations and geographic boundaries, ensuring that no veteran faces their challenges alone.

The Daily Reality of Service

Behind every service member and veteran is a family that understands the weight of daily sacrifices made in service of our freedom. These families know that military service isn’t just a job—it’s a commitment that affects every aspect of life, from where you live to how long you’re separated from loved ones, from the risks you face to the responsibility you carry.

John’s excitement about his son Colin and his new grandchild reminds us that military families celebrate the same milestones as all families, even while navigating the unique challenges that come with military life.

Your Role in Honoring Service

The support provided by individuals like John, and by readers like you, creates tangible impact in the lives of military families. Your committed support helps military families access programs that ease the transition to civilian life, promote mental health, and build strong, supportive communities where veterans and their families can thrive.

Every contribution, whether large or small, whether one-time or ongoing, becomes part of a larger network of support that honors the service of all who have worn the uniform.

A Father’s Day Reflection

This Father’s Day, the Carswell family story reminds us that honoring those who serve means recognizing not just individual sacrifice, but the generational commitment that military families make to our nation’s security and values.

From Sergeant Morrison Carswell’s valor in the First World War to Colin Carswell’s current service with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, this family embodies the continuity of service that has protected Canadian values for over a century.

Their story also demonstrates how the impact of service extends far beyond military duties, inspiring business decisions, philanthropic commitments, and community building that benefit veterans and their families for decades to come.

Looking Forward

As we conclude our “In His Honour” series, we’re reminded that Father’s Day is more than a single day of recognition—it’s an opportunity to reflect on the lasting impact of those who have served and to commit ourselves to supporting those who continue that service today.

If there is someone you would like to honor this Father’s Day, consider making a gift that supports military families and veterans. Whether it’s in memory of a father who served, in honor of someone currently serving, or simply in recognition of the sacrifices made by military families everywhere, your support makes a real difference.

This Father’s Day, we extend our deepest gratitude to all the fathers who have served and sacrificed so much. Your service has secured the freedoms we enjoy today, and your legacy continues through the families, communities, and organizations committed to supporting those who serve.

In their honour, we remember. In their honour, we serve. In their honour, we ensure that no veteran stands alone.