Bridging Cultural Gaps
Born, Bozdogan (Aydin), Turkey, 1936, Özer Aksoy studied, Isiklar Military College, Bursa, and Air Force Academy, Izmir, graduating as Lieutenant in the Turkish Air Force before coming to Canada, 1957, to be trained by the RCAF as a NATO jet pilot. After a two-year training period, stationed at such places as Crumlin and Centralia, southwestern Ontario, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and Gimli, Manitoba, Lt. Aksoy returned to Turkey where, because of an accident, he was grounded as a pilot. In 1960-61, Özer began working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Çigli guided missile base, Izmir, Turkey, as interpreter/translator for the U.S. Army Commanding and Administration Officers. In 1962 he immigrated to Canada, settling, London, Ontario, where he gained employment over the next 35 years with 3M Canada, retiring, 1996, as Senior Engineering Purchasing Agent for 3M plants across Canada. Özer established, 1962, the first Turkish Canadian Association at London, Ontario. He was instrumental in assisting Turkish communities throughout Ontario to organize social and cultural groups. In so doing, he became a leader within Canada’s Turkish community, helping to found the Federation of the Turkish Canadian Association of which Mr. Aksoy was President, 1992-93. Not content with assisting Turkish immigrants adjusting to their new life in Canada, Özer Aksoy was a key founder of the World Turkish Congress in New York, 1992. Located at United Nations Plaza, Özer, today, serves as Vice President of the Congress. Married to Ann McKeon of London, Ontario, Özer is the proud father of Tulin, a public relations manager, and Davut Erol, a physician. In this view, Turkish Canadian Özer Aksoy, Vice President, World Turkish Congress, leads a parade section down Madison Avenue, New York, 1998. [Photo, courtesy Özer Aksoy]