Canadian Military Engineers Association

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Meleme Joseph Nelson McGraw, CD (Ret’d) of Miramichi, NB, at Percy’s Place, Miramichi, on 11 September 2026, at the age of 92. Meleme started his Regular Force military career as a Sapper but remustered to the Physical Training Instructor occupation, where he served most of his career.

Born in Port Elgin, NB, Meleme served the Canadian Armed Forces for over 30 years. He joined the Militia with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps in 1949 but transferred to the  Royal Canadian Engineers of the Regular Force five years later.

After his training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering at Camp Chilliwack, BC, Meleme re-mustered to the Physical Training Instructor trade. He later served in the following locations: Gagetown, NB; Saint-Jean, QC; Gagetown, NB; Halifax, NS; St. Margarets, NB; and Chatham, NB. 

Meleme retired from the Canadian Forces in 1984 and then worked at the New Brunswick Corrections Centre in Miramichi for 12 years, teaching in programs for Correctional Officers, Youth Care Workers, and Industrial and Retail Security Officers.  He retired in 1996.

Meleme was a founding member of the Miramichi Chapter of the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association.

By request, there will be no visitation.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Michael’s Basilica, Miramichi, NB, on Thursday, 17 September 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Saint Michael’s Cemetery.
As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Ralph Edward Donaldson, CD (Ret'd) at his home in Lantz, NS, on 10 September 2026, at 92.

Born in Halifax, NS,  Ralph joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at 19 and served for 27 years with the RCAF and the Canadian Military Engineers. Over the years, Ralph was stationed at; Winnipeg MB, Grostenquin (France), Ottawa ON, Greenwood NS, Chibougamu PQ, Red Deer AB, and then back to Ottawa. Ralph also deployed on a six-month tour with the United Nations peacekeepers in Ismailia, Egypt. 

After his uniformed service, Ralph joined the Public Service and continued his engineering work at the National Defence Medical Centre in Ottawa. After a second retirement, Ralph returned to his family roots in Nova Scotia. 

Helping and volunteering were important to Ralph. He was a Mason and a Philae Shriner as a member of Elmsdale Masonic Temple (C.W. Saunders Lodge 125) and was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. Some of the organizations he worked with were: Scouts Canada, the Anglican Church, Habitat for Humanity and the Royal Canadian Legion. 

Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 7:00 to 9:00 pm on Monday, 14 September 2026, at Ettinger Funeral Home {2812 Highway 2, Shubenacadie, NS} from where a funeral service will be held 2:00 pm ATL (1 pm EST) on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.

No flowers, please. Memorial donations can be made to the Colchester East-Hants Hospice Society {89 Queen St, Truro, NS B2N 2B2)} Habitat for Humanity, The Victorian Order of Nurses, The Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.  
A livestream of the funeral service can be viewed HERE. 

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter FR Noel Rideout on 6 September 2026  at James Paton Memorial Hospital in Gander NL, at the age of 88.

Noel served as Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Inspector for  9 Wing Canadian Forces Base Gander from 1979 to 1998. He was a founding member of the Town of Gander Fire Department in 1968, beginning nearly 40 years of dedicated volunteer service. In 1986, he became Fire Chief of the Gander Fire Department and was involved in every aspect of the department, including firefighting, training, fire prevention, and the ongoing development of that fire service. 

Noel’s service extended far beyond the ordinary responsibilities of a firefighter. He played a significant role in the response to the Arrow Air disaster and later helped coordinate assistance for stranded airline passengers who arrived in Gander following the events of 9/11. His leadership and dedication were recognized throughout the region when he served as President of the Maritime Fire Chiefs Association from 2000 to 2002.  

Noel’s funeral service took place on 11 September 2026 at Stacey’s Funeral Home.  Interment followed at All Saints Cemetery. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.  As expressions of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Noel's memory may be made to the Chief Noel Rideout Memorial Fund through the Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, established in his memory to support future generations pursuing service to their communities.