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]