We regret to advise of the death of  Corporal William Francesco Vant “Will” Erve on November 27, 2019 at age 29 due to an accident while hiking in the Alberni-Clayoquot mountain range on Vancouver Island, BC. Will was a firefighter with 19 Wing Comox

Will’s started his military career in 2011 in the Reserves in Toronto, ON with the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. He was selected as the Most Promising Queen’s Own Rifleman of the Year 2012. Will had a great passion for being a paratrooper and, during his time with the Queens Own he completed the challenging Cambrian Patrol in Wales and qualified as a Reconnaissance Patrolman.   

Will transferred to the Regular Force and joined the Canadian Military Engineers as a Firefighter. He was posted to 19 Wing Fire Department in Comox, BC in 2016 where he was also a volunteer with the Courtenay Fire Department.  Will was a man with a zest for adventure and, in addition to mountaineering, he was a mountain biker and motor cycle enthusiast, a parachutist, fisherman, and amateur chef.

There will be a vigil held on Wednesday, 4 December 2019 between 5:00 pm and 7:00pm at the Comox Valley Funeral Home (1101 Ryan Road). The funeral for William will be held Thursday, 5 December at 11:00 am at Christ the King Catholic Church (1599 Tunner Drive) with a reception to follow immediately after. A service will also be held in Toronto at a later date.  Online condolences can be sent HERE.