at 20:25 on November 12, 2006, EST.
By TARA BRAUTIGAM

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. (CP) - 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 available to comment, but police confirmed they were investigating.

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 and Labrador, 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.


©The Canadian Press, 2006


Absolutely disgusting

fucked up.