Family shocked after dead vet's home ransacked

[pvtbones]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061112/vet_home_061112/20061112?hub=Canada&s_name=

Updated Sun. Nov. 12 2006 5:02 PM ET

Canadian Press

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Friends and family of a Second World War veteran who succumbed to cancer have been left dumbfounded after finding his St. John's home ransacked hours later.

Fred Vokey lived his final days at his grandson's house in Kelligrews, southwest of the city. The 85-year-old died Friday with relatives at his bedside.

The next day Shaun Power, 35, drove to his grandfather's home to retrieve a portrait of Vokey in his military uniform for the funeral service.

He found the back door kicked in, dresser drawers dumped and money, jewelry, silverware and prescription painkillers missing.

"My heart just exploded,'' Power said, choking back tears before attending visitation Sunday.

Power believes the house was broken into Friday _ the same day Vokey died _ because it was still in order when he visited on Thursday.

"There's no morality anymore. The very God damn day he dies, that night, some hooligans went in there and ransacked it,'' said Power.

"When something like this happens, you've got to wonder what's happening to society.''

A spokesperson for the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary wasn't unavailable to comment, but police confirmed they were investigating the incident.

Vokey served for the United Kingdom's Royal Navy as a gunner during the Second World War. Despite the protests of his parents, the Bell Island, N.L., native enlisted at 18, surviving several torpedo attacks, said his daughter and only child, Gaynor Power, 59.

"It's just terrible for someone to do that to an old man, a war veteran, and right on Remembrance Day,'' she said.

"When you think about how many young Newfoundlanders that signed up, volunteered ... to fight for their country, and to have this happen, it's very upsetting.''

Vokey lived on his own after his wife died in April 2000. He was diagnosed with cancer in June and lived in his house of nearly 50 years until his health took a turn for a worse two weeks ago.

His daughter said she suspects whoever broke in must have known he was not home and had drugs at his residence.

"I hope the people that did it are sorry when they realize this,'' she said. "If they've got any conscience at all, they should be.''

Vokey's grandson said such a brazen act has left him thinking that Newfoundland, like other areas around the world, has lost its innocence.

"You can read about all this negative stuff coming from the Middle East and from the States and all that, but guess what? There's a lot of negative stuff happening in good ol' Newfoundland, in Canada, that is unspeakable,'' he said.

A funeral service for Vokey will be held Monday.

My god how can someone do such a disgusting act the day on/before Remembrance day?! There are few times I will ever say this but I hope the bastard is found and gets a long, long horrid life in a small dark cell with a particularly twisted set of guards and inmates.

the thanks our veterans get for spilling their blood for us, I'm glad most of them aren't here to see how far we've fallen.

 

[Geogaddi]

My heart ASPLODE!

 

[CptStern]

I doubt the perp knew/cared whether the person was a veteran or that it was rememberance day; the media makes it more than it is ..any other day and the story would have been "dead senior's home ransacked"

they're scum but they're probably more stupid than purposefully disrespectful/intentionally cruel

 

[Geogaddi]

Agreed. There's also a good chance of drug addiction being involved.

 

[DeusExMachina]

They were probably American.

 

[Stigmata]

"He was a war vet - This criminal hates and preys on not only war vets, but America and everything it stands for! >:0"

Disgusting, but overblown through a really dumb non-sequitur.

 

[JNightshade]

Shit, that guy was a vet? Fuck, I'd better return this stuff...

 

[Aenama]

Shit, that guy was a vet? Fuck, I'd better return this stuff...

:O


bad boy^^

 

[pvtbones]

I doubt an American would cross the boarder, head over to Newfoundland after hearing someone died and ransack the place.

please either read the article or don't post at all.

 

[Ridge]

Werd. Go get your teeth busted in on the hockey rink or something...

Sad that his house was broken into, but I doubt the perp knew he was a veteran, or dead. Probably knew the house was empty, and just went in because he/she thought nobody would catch him/her...

 

[DeusExMachina]

I was only jesting.

It is a horrible thing though, I agree.