Canadian Military Engineers Association

We regret to advise of the death of Chief Warrant Officer George Harris CD (Ret’d) on  2 November 2026 at age 95.

Born in Lethbridge NL, George was the second eldest of 16 children. After working in lumber camps doing various jobs and working on a dam construction project, George joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1954. As a Mechanical and Electrical Systems Technician, George was posted twice to Germany, France, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Alberta, and to Saskatchewan and Manitoba. He also deployed to the Former Yugoslavia.  George retired in 1986 at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer.

Cremation has taken place. At George’s request, there will be no memorial service.  In his memory, donations may be made to the War Amps. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.  

We regret to advise of the death of Major Thomas “Tom” Higgins, CD (Ret’d) of Abbotsford BC, on 27 October 2026.  Tom served a full 35-year career with the Canadian Military Engineers as a Field Engineer and a Construction Engineer, and as a Non-Commissioned Member and a Commissioned Officer.

Tom joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1953 as a Sapper Apprentice in the Second Intake. Upon completing his training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC, he was posted ‘across the road’ to 3 Field Squadron. Qualifying as a parachutist, Tom was posted to 1 Airborne Troop, Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE) in Edmonton, AB.

Tom deployed with 1 Middle East Detachment, RCE, as part of United Nations Emergency Force I. Returning to Canada, he joined 11 Works Company in Victoria, BC but was soon on the move again when he joined 4 Field Squadron in Werl Germany. Tom returned to Canada for successive tours in Construction Engineering, first with 7 Works Company in Camp Gagetown, followed by the Base Construction Engineering Section in Ottawa (Rockcliffe).

While stationed at Rockcliffe, in 1969 Sergeant Higgins was selected for Commissioning from the Ranks to Lieutenant.. After his Military Engineering Officer training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering (CFSME), he was posted to the Construction Engineering Section at Cold Lake AB.  Following this tour, Tom returned to CFSME as the Mechanical Systems Troop Commander and, upon promotion, became BCEO at CFB Suffield in 1977. Following his Suffield tour, Tom returned to CFSME in 1981 for a four-year tour as Officer Commanding Construction Engineering Training Squadron. His final posting was as BCEO Chilliwack after which he retired from the Canadian Forces in 1988.

Following his military service, Tom worked with the cities of Matsqui, then Abbotsford, as their Manager of Inspection Services. 

Funeral arrangements will be advised when available. 

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Richard “Rick” Overton, CD (Ret'd), at Parkwood Institute's Veterans Care Program in London, ON, on 13 October 2026.

Rick began his military career with the Canadian Military Engineers in 1968 as a Structures Technician, a trade later renamed Construction Technician. He served for 35 years with the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Military Engineers, retiring as a Construction Engineer Superintendent at the rank of Master Warrant Officer.  

During his career, Rick was posted to Petawawa, Borden, the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack, London, North Bay and Trenton. In addition to countless exercises and projects at home and abroad, his deployments took him to Egypt, Alert, Haiti and the former Yugoslavia. Rick’s final posting was to London where he took his retirement from the Canadian Forces and settled in Strathroy, ON.

In accordance with Rick's wishes, a private family interment was held on 26 October 2026 at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 2001 Dundas Street, London, Ontario. If you are in the area, Rick would welcome a visit - simply look for the stone that says "Chimo."

Those wishing to make a donation in Rick's memory are asked to consider the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Society of Canada or Parkinson Canada.