CWO (retired) Syd Parnell, CD 1, will retire from DND on June 30th, 2010, after over 44 years of combined service with the CF and as a civilian employee with DND.

Mr. Parnell joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) November 1966 and completed basic training at Number 2 Manning Depot RCAF Station St-Jean. During his military career as Refrigeration Mechanical Technician and Mechanical System Technician, he was stationed at various locations including CFS Chibougamau, CFB Cold Lake, UN Ismalia, CFB Greenwood, CFB Halifax, CFS Barrington, and Montreal Detachment Longue Pointe. He ended his military career in 1990 as Chief Warrant Officer in the Utility Officer position at CFB Montreal St-Hubert site.

In September 1990, Mr. Parnell began his civilian career at National Defence Headquarter as part of Chief Construction and Property (CCP) / Directorate Base Maintenance. The CCP organization was disbanded in the mid 1990s and he became part of the new “Assistant Deputy Minister Infrastructure and Environment” with the Directorate of Architecture. One of his several responsibilities was to be trade mentor for the military Refrigeration and Mechanical Technician trade. In 1995, with the delegation of authority, the mandate changed to technical support to construction projects, Bases/Wings Infrastructure and deployed operation. During the period 1995 to his retirement, Mr. Parnell was part of several organizations such as: Directorate of Infrastructure Support, Directorate of Construction Project & Engineering Policy and Directorate of Corporate Architecture & Engineering. He is retiring on the 30 June 2010 as Senior Mechanical Technologist.

Syd and his wife Denise will remain in Gatineau Québec. Their plan is to go south in the winter and spend the summer tending the garden.