CME Family Last Post

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper William Douglas "Doug" Neilson (Ret’d) on 26 October 2017 in Oromocto, NB.

Born in 1942 in Sheffield NB, Doug joined the Royal Canadian Engineers and completed his basic sapper training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack, BC.  In 1961 he was posted to Iserlohn, Germany for a tour with the Field Squadron.  Upon returning to Canada Doug took his release from the Canadian Forces to follow a police career. He was first a member of the Oshawa Police Force and then served with the Village of Nashwaaksis Police Force.  

Following his police service, Doug began a career with the New Brunswick Provincial Government.  He first worked on the Metric Conversion project and then, during the 1973 Flood, he and members of the Emergency Measures Organization coordinated the efforts to assist farmers in the Sheffield and Maugerville area in relocating their livestock to the Burton area.  Upon his retirement from the Provincial Government, Doug enjoyed farming, trucking and music.

Visitation will be held on Friday, 3 November 2017 from 6 – 8 pm at Oromocto Funeral Home. A Memorial Mass will take place at St. Vincent de Paul on Saturday, 4 November 2017 at 11 am. There will be a reception following the service at the Church Hall.  Memorial donation may be made to the Oromocto Rotary Club, the Oromocto SPCA or the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences can be sent to the Funeral Home. ^{{khOct2017} [zpp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal David Cecil Jones, CD (Ret'd) of Morell PEI on Thursday, 26 October 2017 due to an accident.

Born in 1969 in Moncton, NB, David was retired from the Canadian Armed Forces, having served twenty years with the 1^st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and with the Canadian Military Engineers as an Electrical Distribution Technician.  His postings as an ED Tech included Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake, AB  and then Trenton, ON. David retired from the Canadian Forces in the 2010 and, in his retirement,  he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, his hobby farm, hunting, camping, coaching youth basketball and volunteering in his community.

There will be no visitation at David’s request. Funeral will be held at the Dundas Baptist Church, 3361 Route 490, Dundas, NB E1G 3R5 on Monday, 30 October 2017 at 11:00 am with a reception to follow in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations to a fund for his children or the Dundas Baptist Church would be greatly appreciated by his family. Online condolences can be made at www.tuttlefuneralhome.ca ^{{khOct17} [zsp, zsd]}

We regret to advise of the death of Colonel André D. Gauthier, CD (Ret'd) of Ottawa  on Thursday, 26 October 2017 at the age of 82.  Colonel Gauthier served a 37-year career in the Canadian Armed Forces before becoming a fulltime sculptor. André sculpted many statues and monuments that recognize the many branches of the Canadian Armed Forces. The Canadian Military Engineers are fortunate that he featured our Sappers in four of these statues.

André was born in Ottawa, ON and was educated in Montreal and the University of Ottawa. While attending university on the Regular Officer Training Plan he volunteered to serve as a troop commander with the Regiment de Hull – a Reserve armoured regiment. He was commissioned in the Canadian Provost Corps in May 1958. His early assignments included a year (1958-59) as an Infantry platoon commander in the First Battalion, Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada followed by a year as Second in Command  (2/IC) of No 1 Provost Platoon in Calgary, AB. In 1960 he was posted as 2IC of the Kingston Provost Detachment and Lt Gauthier became the Camp Provost Marshal at Base Valcartier, QC in 1961. The following year he was promoted Captain and posted to Germany where he first served in a Military Police staff appointment before assuming command of No 4 Provost Platoon.

On his return to Canada in the summer of 1965 André was posted as an instructor at the Canadian Forces School of Intelligence and Security and served a year training foreign national officer cadets. He was then selected to attend the Canadian Army Staff College in Kingston, ON (1966 - 67) and was promoted to Major on completion of that course. His next assignment was as Staff Officer Personnel Plans at Mobile Command Headquarters in St. Hubert, QC. Next, he became Executive Assistant to the Deputy Commander of that Command and was briefly double-hatted as the Command Secretary. In 1969 he became the Senior Staff Officer Security.

André was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1970 and appointed to head the Regional Civil Emergency Operations Section of Mobile Command covering the Province of Quebec. In 1973 he was posted to Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean as Vice-Commandant and Director of Cadets. Concurrent to that CMR appointment he participated as a Commissioner of Enquiry on the Ducros Commission. In 1975 he undertook language training to learn Serbo-Croate. This course was followed by his promotion to Colonel and his assignment as the Canadian Forces Attaché to Yugoslavia and Greece (1976-78). Upon his return to Canada he became the Director of Security at National Defence Headquarters. In 1980/81, André attended the National Defence College in Kingston and was subsequently posted to Winnipeg, MB as the Chief of Staff for Headquarters Prairie Militia Area.

Over the period 1983-86, André served as the Military Advisor to the Canadian Delegation to the conventional arms control negotiations (Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions Talks) between NATO and the Warsaw Pact in Vienna, Austria and, in his last three years of his military career he was the Commandant of the unit administering Canada’s National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. In November 1989, Colonel Gauthier was awarded the Order of Military Merit and retired that year.

Family and friends may pay respect at the  Kelly Funeral Home-Orleans, 23710 St. Joseph Blvd. Orleans, ON on Thursday 2 November 2017 after 9 am followed by a Funeral Mass at Paroisse St-Joseph, 2757 Boul. St. Joseph at 11 am. In-memoriam donations to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation would be appreciated. Online Condolences can be sent to the  Funeral Home.  ^{khOct2017}

We regret to advise of the death of Donald “Donnie” O’Donnell peacefully at home in Derby, NB on 21 October 2017 at the age of 71 years.

Donnie was born in Lower Derby.  He Joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in the mid-60s and served initially in 2 Field Squadron in Camp Gagetown before moving to 4 Field Squadron in Germany.  Returning to Gagetown, he served in 22 Field Squadron. After leaving the Army he worked for the New Brunswick Department of Transportation.  Donnie was a member of the Knights of Columbus and St Bridget's Roman Catholic Church in Renous.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Northumberland Funeral Home in Miramichi on Sunday, 22 October from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Monday, 23 October from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, 24 October 2017, at 11 a.m., from St Bridget's Roman Catholic Church. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to Our Lady of Good Counsel Cemetery Fund, or to a memorial of one's choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the Funeral Home. ^{{dcOct17kh} [zsd, zcc]}

We regret to advise of the death of John Douglas “Jack” King of Herring Cove, NS on 16 October 2017 at the age of 96 years.

Jack was born Yarmouth, NS and went to school in Yarmouth, Weymouth, and Kentville, NS. He was a veteran of the Second World War and served with the Royal Canadian Engineers principally on the West Coast of Canada. After the war, he worked with Dominion Atlantic Railways and Halifax Transfer, a trucking company, in Kentville.  After finishing a business course at Maritime Business College, Jack went to work with the Provincial Government; first with the Department of Highways and Public Works and then with the Office of the Auditor General, until his retirement.

At Jack’s request, there will be no visitation. A funeral service will be held on 23 October at 11 a.m.  at the J. Albert Walker Funeral Home Chapel, in Herring Cove. A reception will follow with interment will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Herring Cove. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.walkerfh.com. ^{{dcDec17kh} [ zsd, zsp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Francis J.  O'Leary, CD (Ret’d) on 10 October 2017 in Ottawa, ON. Frank worked for over 28 years in Mapping and Charting Establishment in Ottawa and then started his second career of 35 years as Property Master at the National Arts Centre.

Frank Joined the Army Survey Establishment in September 1946. He trained as a Topographical Surveyor and participated in at least fifteen field survey expeditions during his military career. In sequence; he was in the field in 1947 at Churchill MB and Trenton ON and in 1948 returned to Churchill MB with the Tractor Party. 1949 saw him in Cassiar BC and he surveyed in Stephenville NFL in 1950. Frank returned to Manitoba at 1952 at Caribou River and finished the year in Van Kleek Hill ON. Then he was off to Beatton River BC 1953, Churchill MB in 1956 and then to the Northwest Territories for the next two years at Anderson River and Wholdaia Lake. In 1962 he was involved with the Military Town Plan mapping project and subsequently continued with a variety of Field Survey projects. Frank retired from Mapping and Charting Establishment (as the unit was then known) in 1974 after 28 years of service. 

Frank was a unit morale builder and booster. His good nature was infectious and he helped organize most social events for the unit and acted as Master of Ceremonies for them.  He was a man of many talents who touched the lives of the people he met. Frank lived life to the fullest and had a passion to be physically active. He played hockey in his 70s, golf into his 80s, bowling in his 90s. 

Frank loved to be busy. Simple accomplishments made him proud and his service to his community made him happy. He was known for his Frank O'Leary Pancake Breakfast that raised money for Christmas hampers for the needy. He enjoyed playing Santa Claus for the Ottawa Sympathy Orchestra fundraiser. 

Frank was an entertainer at heart from his early years opening the Ottawa Roughriders football games with the singing of the National Anthem. He also led the Sing-Along-with-Frank on Sunday nights at the Ottawa Bandshell and sang Irish tunes each St. Patrick's Day in several local retirement homes and establishments. He once sang with the RCMP band at the NAC. 

Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, 14 October 2017 at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, 400 St. Laurent Boulevard. Reception to follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Frank O'Leary's memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Ottawa. Condolences may be offered at condolences@whelanfuneralhome.ca. ^{kh12Oct17} 

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal James G Butler (Ret’d) on 9 October 2017,  suddenly and unexpectedly at age 28 while on a trip to Thailand with his fiancée.

James was a former Combat Engineer with 2 Combat Engineer Regiment (2 CER) and served a tour in Afghanistan with 1st Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group in 2010. He qualified as a Combat Diver in 2009 and served with the 2 CER Dive Team until 2015. James later made a Voluntary Occupational Transfer to the Navy Clearance Diver occupation. Upon his retirement from the Canadian Forces, James worked as a life coach helping veterans.

James spent his life helping others. He was the kind of man who touched everyone he met. He was equal parts comedian, humanitarian and warrior.During his short life, James had been compared to many famous people because of his eccentric personality but beneath it all was a most caring and loving guy.

A Celebration of Life will be held on 21 October 2017 between 1200-1800 hr. at Vimy Brewery,  1-145 Loretta Avenue Ottawa, ON. The family asks that no DEUs be worn and no black. ^{khOct17}

We regret to advise of the death of Kenneth Higham at the Kelowna General Hospital in British Columbia on Sunday, 8 October 2017 at the age of 88 years. Ken served with the Royal Canadian Engineers Band.

Ken graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in London, England in the 1950s. He taught music for over 20 years in Chilliwack BC and served nine years with the Royal Canadian Engineers Band as a Bass Clarinetist, performing at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, The Copper Room of the Harrison Hotel, Hotel Vancouver and at the World's Fair in Seattle. He was also the Organist and Choir Director at All Sappers Chapel. In his retirement, Ken enjoyed entertaining in various Care Homes and Senior Centers.

In keeping with Ken's wishes, there will be no Funeral Service. Cremation, Lakeview Memorial Gardens Crematorium. If desired, a donation in Ken's memory may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 102-1433 St. Paul Street, Kelowna BC, V1Y 2E4. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the Funeral Home website. ^{[kh18Oct17} [zsp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Norman James Rolston, OBC, MSC, CD on 6 October 2017 at the age of 85.

Norman was born in Willowbunch SK but the family moved to Quill Lake, SK from the "Dust Bowl" of the southern parts of the province. Norm left home at the age of 17 to work in the mining industry in the Northwest Territories. He then moved to BC's coast and joined the Canadian Army. Norm served 13 years with the Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE). He performed with the 40-piece brass marching band across the province.

Upon the completion of his army service, Norm moved to the Peace River Country in northern Alberta to begin homesteading. At that time he managed Canadian Propane in Valleyview, AB. He became band leader - first for the town band and then the Navy League band. Norm next moved back to the BC coast where he started Rolston Crane and Freight and contributed to the construction of highways, Sky Train and Expo 86.

Norm invented the Able Walker and started Able Walkers Ltd that introduced wheeled walkers to the world. His Able Walker has helped millions of people gain a new mobility and restored their independence improved their quality of life. The Los Angeles Times voted the Able Walker one of the “Top Ten International Inventions of the 1990s.” Norman gifted his invention to the world by not patenting it. For this he won the first Humanitarian of the Year Award presented by the International Society of Inventors.  For his invention and generosity, Norm was awarded Order of BC and the Meritorious Service Cross.

A memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held at Sharon United Church ("Five Corners" in Murrayville) 21562 Old Yale Rd, Langley on Wednesday October 25, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. Online condolences can be left at the family's online obituary.

We regret to advise of the death of Chief Warrant Officer Frederick Isaac Cook, CD (Ret’d) on 6 October 2017 at the Sackville Memorial Hospital in New Brunswick at age 81 years.

Fred joined the Canadian Army in 1958 with the Royal Canadian Engineers. After completing his basic Field Engineer training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering (RCSME) at Camp Chilliwack BC he remained in Vedder Crossing with the RCSME Demonstration Troop. From there Fred was posted to 4 Field Squadron in Germany. When he returned to Canada he started on an Airborne career path – first with 1 Field Squadron, Petawawa, ON and then with 1 Airborne Field Squadron in Edmonton, AB starting in 1968. After Edmonton he was stationed in Camp Gagetown, NB – first with 2 Field Squadron and then with the Base Construction Engineering Section. In 1982 Fred was appointed Regimental Sergeant Major of 2 Combat Engineer Regiment in Petawawa where he served until his retirement in 1985.

Fred was a member of the Sackville Lion's Club and the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 26, Sackville. He was a devoted hockey fan and armchair statistician. Fred was an avid outdoorsman who made his own maple syrup. He loved spending time on his tractor and had built an intricate network of roads throughout the land behind his home and named them after his family.

Visitation will be held at Jones Funeral Home, 70 Bridge Street, Sackville NB on Monday, 9 October 2017 from 2–4 and 6–8 pm. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday at 11 am with interment to take place in the Four Corners Cemetery.

Donations in memory of Fred may be made to Lion's Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. Sharing of memories and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Fred's online memorial or through the Jones Funeral Home Facebook Page. ^{khOct2017} 

We regret to advise of the death of Captain Frank Wencel, CD (Ret’d) peacefully on 22 September 2017 at the London Health Sciences Centre, Victoria Hospital in London, ON in his 85^th year. A Korean War Vet, Frank worked for many years as a glass and metal mechanic with Norfolk Glass and Tillsonburg Glass and Mirror.

Frank enrolled with 25 Norfolk Medium Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) in October 1951 and transferred to the Canadian Army Special Force with the Royal Canadian Engineers in March 1952 for Korean War Service. After his training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Camp Chilliwack BC he was posted to 59^th Field Squadron in Wainwright AB in May 1952 but was soon selected for service in Germany with 58^th Field Squadron. He was subsequently posted to 3 Field Squadron and deployed to Korea in 1954. Returning to Canada, Frank took his release from the Special Force and transferred to 69 Battery of 56 Field Regiment RCA in 1955.   He subsequently transferred to A Company of the 3^rd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment in Woodstock ON in 1968 and became Company Sergeant Major. Then, in 1970 Frank returned to 56 Field Regiment RCA and became Battery Sergeant Major.

Frank was a founding member of 153 Varnavair Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron,Tillsonburg ON in 1976 – serving two terms as Commanding Officer with the rank of Captain. Frank retired from the Canadian Forces in 1997 but continued to serve with the Air Cadets as a civilian instructor. Frank was a member of the Varnavair Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in Tillsonburg. He had started his military service in Norfolk and he retired from military service in Norfolk County some 50 years later.

Visitation is at the Ostrander Funeral Home, 43 Bidwell Street, Tillsonburg ON on Friday 29 September 2017 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. The funeral Service will follow at 11:00 am. Veterans and or service member attending are encouraged to wear your medals. After the service there will be a private family interment at the Tillsonburg Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to London Health Sciences Foundation c/o the Palliative Care Program Fund # 50-501-01 by contacting the Funeral Home. ^{khSep2017}

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Major Wilfred Gregory Tschirhart, PhD, (Ret’d) on 20 September 2017 in his home in St. Agatha, ON at age 96. Wilf was a Royal Canadian Engineer veteran of WW II.

Born in Kitchener, ON, Wilf was one of six kids. He grew up on a farm at Haysville, ON and had to leave school after Grade 10 to help support his family during the Great Depression. He became a carpenter and served in the Royal Canadian Engineers during the Second World War with Works and Services Company on the East Coast - achieving the rank of Sergeant Major. During this time he finished high school by correspondence.

After the war, Wilf spent his early career in the construction industry, in building design as Works Foreman for N. O. Heipel of Preston. He had a Structural Engineering certificate and was the designer and construction foreman in the building of many hockey arenas throughout Ontario that are still standing. These include Waterloo, Ayr, Goderich, East York, Burlington, South Porcupine, Gore Bay, Little Current, Providence Bay, and Mindemoya. Wilf left the construction trade and joined Canadian Blower in Kitchener, as Senior Mechanical Draftsman, where he worked 32 years until retiring in 1986.

Wilf was always a believer in education in all its forms - both practical and informal. Wilf volunteered as a teaching assistant at St. Agatha Catholic School and as a caregiver at Freeport Hospital. At age 65 he decided to finally finish his education and, once he got started, it seemed he couldn't stop. He fulfilled his dream of higher education after retirement by attending Wilfrid Laurier University where he was conferred a Bachelor of Arts in 1993, Honours Bachelor of Arts in 1999, Master of Arts in 2002 and Doctorate of Arts in 2009 - all in the field of Environmental Studies and Geography. At age 88 he was the third oldest person to achieve a Doctorate from an accredited University. 

Wilfred's family will receive relatives and friends from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm & 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm on 24 September 2017 at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick Street, Kitchener. A Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at St. Agatha R.C. Church, 1839 Notre Dame Rd. St Agatha, on 25 September at 11:00 am. Interment at St. Agatha Catholic Cemetery. Reception to follow in the church hall. 

Condolences can be sent to the Funeral Home. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Wilfrid Laurier University - Elizabeth Tschirhart Award would be appreciated by the family. ^{{khSep2017dc}[zsp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Master Corporal Stanley Roy Williams (Ret'd) on 20 September 2017 suddenly at home in Pembroke, ON in his 76^th  year. Stan served his career as a Field Engineer with the Royal Canadian Engineers. Postings included the Field Squadrons in Camp Gagetown NB, Germany, and Camp Petawawa ON - from which he retired. He was a longtime employee of the City of Pembroke (1973 - 2008) for his second career. He was a member of the Pembroke Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Visitation at the Malcolm, Deavitt & Binhammer Funeral Home, 141 Renfrew St., Pembroke on Saturday, 23 September 2017 from 7 to 9:00 p.m.  A Graveside Committal Service will be held at Cross Cemetery, Halstead's Bay on Monday at 1:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the Ottawa Hospital Foundation - Cancer Centre would be appreciated.  Online condolences and donations are available at www.mdbfuneralhome.com.^{{khSep2017} [zsp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Captain George Spear, CD (Ret’d) in Ottawa, ON at the age of 97 on 19 September 2017. George was a Royal Canadian Engineer veteran of the Second World War.

Born in 1920, George was one of the early members of 1^st Corps Field Survey Company, Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE) that had been formed in Ottawa in 1936. By 1939 he was a Lance Corporal. The unit expanded upon Mobilization in 1939 and grew to seven officers and 137 other ranks. George was assigned to the processing of new recruits. In early January 1940 the unit sailed for England on the Empress of Australia. For this reason, these original ‘Survey Engineers’ called themselves the “Yacht Club Boys.” 

In England the unit was soon occupied with courses, exercises and tasks to prepare them for the invasion of Europe. George served in Italy and North Africa on loan to the British Army. In December 1944, as a trained and experienced Sergeant Major, George was returned to Canada to train replacements for the overseas Canadian survey companies. 

George joined the Canadian Army Permanent Force after the war and eventually retired in the rank of Captain.  He continued in Public Service as a civilian until his retirement.  George was an active amateur historian who delighted in perpetuating the service record of 1 Corps Field Survey Company, RCE.

George died within hours of his wife of 75 years, Jean. She was a War Bride who was working as a firefighter, air raid warden, and a corporal in the Home Guard during the war. From Canada she worked to send food packages to Londoners in need and founded the England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Canada Club (ESWIC) for war brides. Jean was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006 for her work to improve the lives and welcome for other War Brides.

There will be a private family service with Military Honours at Beechwood Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family for a celebration of the lives of Jean and George on Friday, 13 October 2017 at the Britannia Yacht Club, 2777 Cassels St. Ottawa, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Pictures of special memories shared with Jean and George and written tributes are most welcome. Friends are invited to wear something red to remember the great love Jean and George had for each other.

Online Condolences can be sent to Beechwood Cemetery. ^{{ khOct2017}[z2kh]}

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Donald Taylor Somerville (Ret’d) on Saturday, 16 September 2017 in Mississauga, ON at age 95. Don was a WW II veteran of Operation BERLIN, the 25/26 September 1944 evacuation of the British 1^st Airborne Division forces from Arnhem.

Born and raised in Chatham ON, Donald attended school in Chatham. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE) in February 1941 with 9^th Field Company. After completing his Sapper training in Camp Petawawa ON, he arrived in England in July 1941 with the unit under its new name “1 Canadian Base Units Construction Company, RCE.” Don spent the next three years in England under training and working on construction projects for the Canadian Army and on defence works for the Defence of Britain. Don was reassigned to 23^rd Field Company in May 1944 by which time the unit had been in England for two years and was anticipating a major role in the Invasion of Europe.

On 11 July 1944 Donald disembarked on the shores of Juno Beach, France. His company soon moved into the outskirts of Caen where they got to work clearing a roadway through the city of Caen for the Allied advance. Regularly under fire as the city was still hotly contested, they constructed the “Andy’s Alley” roadway by clearing mines, filling potholes, bulldozing, and demolishing obstacles. After clearing this route they built “Reynold’s Bridge” across the Orne River.

The 23^rd Field Company was next assigned to support a 4^th Armoured Division assault crossing of the Seine River near Pont De L’Arche. Don and his company had trained extensively back in England on British “Storm Boats” and this assault crossing was successful under the occasional artillery and mortar fire. The 23^rd continued to ferry the allied forces and next built a Bailey Bridge across the Seine River in less than 24 hours.

The company continued to supported the Allied advance into Belgium and Holland. and played the major role in "Operation BERLIN"- the evacuation of the depleted and encircled British 1^st Airborne Division across the Neder Rijn. Don finished the war with the 20^th Field Company where he was transferred after returning to duty after an injury in Holland.

After returning to Canada and being demobilized, Don took over a portion of the family farm that he had acquired from the 'Veteran's Land Act'. During the Korean War he worked at Canadair on the fabrication on the Lockheed T-33 Trainer aircraft. After that, he worked a variety of different jobs including a 17-year stint with General Electric.

Don’s contribution to the Battle for France was recognized by France’s awarding him the National Order of the Legion of Honour in April 2015. He was active in the Royal Canadian Legion and played a significant part in the remembrance of the WW II contributions of 23^rd Field Company. Don made a total of six trips to Holland since 1990 to remember his lost comarades.

A "Celebration of Life" is planned for Donald at the Col. Tom Kennedy Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in Mississauga (Cawthra and Dundas area), from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm on Saturday, 23 September. Online condolences can be sent to the Funeral Home. 

See a series of video interviews with Don Somerville:

A Memory I will take to my Grave

A Tradesman During Wartime

The Effects of a Mine

The Sounds and Sights of Fighter Planes

We regret to advise of the death of Michael Wayne Armstrong on 11 September 2017 at the Maison McCulloch Hospice in Sudbury, ON at the age of 70 years.

Michael served five years in the Canadian Forces with the Royal Canadian Engineers.  Following his release from the army he worked for 31 years as a Firefighter for the City of Sudbury.

Michael is resting at the Jackson and Barnard Funeral Home, 233 Larch Street, Sudbury.  Visitation will be from 2:00 – 5:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 PM on 14 September and from 10:00 AM until the funeral service at 11:00 AM on 15 September. Cremation will take place at the Park Lawn Crematorium.  Donations may be made to the Sudbury Hospice or the Salvation Army.  ^{{gdMay2019dc} [zsp, zsd]}

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Gerald “Jerry” Gagne (Ret'd) of Riverview NB on 5 September 2017, peacefully at the Moncton Hospital at age 78. Jerry served as a Firefighter in the Canadian Forces and with Transport Canada for a total of 47 years.

Jerry was born in Leduc QC and was formerly of Moncton and Saint John. He started his military career as a Navy Air Bos’n 581 in the late 1960s and later joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. His postings included Canadian Forces Base Val-d’Or QC, CFB Greenwood NS and CFB Chatham NB. Jerry joined the Public Service with Transport Canada after he retired from the Canadian Forces and retired as the Fire Chief at the Saint John Airport.

A small gathering for family and friends will be held on 8 September 2017 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at 89 Silverstone Drive, Moncton, to celebrate and honour Jerry's life. Instead of flowers, tributes in Jerry’s memory to the ALS Society would be appreciated by the family.

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Donald Francis Cromwell (Ret’d) of Montague PEI at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on 5 September 2017 at the age of 83 years.

Donald was born in Saint John NB. He served in the Royal Canadian Engineers including service during the Korean Conflict.

At the family's request there will be no visitation or funeral service. Donations to the Cancer Society would be appreciated. ^{{dcJan20WD} [zsd, zcc]}

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Hugh Joseph Urbain Felix Beaudoin (Ret'd), peacefully, on 1 September 2017 in Chilliwack, BC at the age of 87 years.

Born and raised in Storthoaks, SK, Hughie worked on the family homestead and rode his horse to the one-room schoolhouse. He joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1958 and was­ first stationed in Chilliwack, BC and then in Werl, Germany.  Returning to Chilliwack, Hughie took his release from the Canadian Army and became an orderly at Chilliwack General Hospital. He graduated in the ­first class of paramedics in the province and worked at the newly formed BC Ambulance Service until retirement.

A talented jack-of-all-trades, Hughie was an experienced carpenter, electrician, welder, woodworker, mechanic, and more. Always generous in helping others, especially friends and family, Hughie's workshop had pride of place and was open to anyone who had a special project or just wanted to 'putter around the shop.' Hughie was also very involved with the ANAVETS organization and committed to strengthening its community. He received the ANAVETS Award of Merit in 2004 - the Association’s highest honour.

There will be no service as per Hughie's wishes. Rather, please consider a toast (or two) in his honour. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the ANAVETS Bursary Fund would be appreciated.^{khOct17} 

We regret to advise the death of Michael J Kish of Flin Flon MB on 30 August 2017.

Mike served with the Reserves in the 21^st Field Engineer Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers in Flin Flon. He worked for the Hudson Bay Mining Company. Mike was a member of the Flin Flon Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

There was a funeral service on 6 September 2017 in the St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church. ^{{dcJan20wrd} [zsp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Major Gordon Vincent “Vince” Clark, CD (Ret’d) in Ottawa, ON at the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre on 30 August 2017 at age 91.

Vince was born in North Sydney, NS and was educated in the local public schools and Sydney Academy. He enlisted in the Army for WW II in August 1943 while attending Acadia University. He qualified as a Gunner Operator and arrived in England in January 1945 where he was soon assigned to VIII Princess Louise’s (NB) Hussars in Holland. At war's end Vince was transferred to 17^th Duke of York’s Royal Canadian Hussars in Leer, GE as part of the Canadian Army Occupation Force.

Repatriated to Canada in June 1946, Vince returned to Acadia that Fall and received his Applied Science Certificate in 1949. He qualified for his Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) in 1951. While at Nova Scotia Technical College he enlisted in the Militia in May 1950 with the Halifax Rifles (23^rd Armoured Regiment) and, later, with 5^th Field Engineer Regiment, Royal Canadian Engineers. In October he re-enlisted in the Canadian Army Active Force. Vince was a member of No 3 Young Officers Course at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering (RCSME) and was assigned  as  RCSME Assistant Adjutant (1953-53) for his first tour as a Commissioned Officer. For his next assignment he was Roads Platoon Commander on the Northwest Highway Maintenance System (1953-55) before returning to RCSME as Troop Commander, Electrical Trades Troop.

Upon completion of this second tour at RCSME Vince embarked on a career that was to be primarily in the Technical Staff sector.  After a year in the Army Headquarters Directorate of Design and Development he was selected to attend the Royal Military College of Science in England where he received his qualification as a Technical Staff Officer (1960-61). He then returned to Ottawa where he was employed in the Directorate of Equipment Engineering (1962-65) before deploying to Camp Rafah, Egypt as the Force Engineer for the United Nations Emergency Force and Commanding Officer of the Canadian Engineer Company (1966). Upon return to Ottawa Vince had a two years tour with Director General Environmental and Operational Services before moving back into the Technical Staff sector with the Directorate of Vehicles and Field Engineer Equipment (DVFE) (1969-72).

Vince retired from the Canadian Forces in 1972 and joined the Public Service. For the next eight years he continued his work with Field Engineer equipment in DVFE and its replacement Directorate of Combat Mobility Engineering and Maintenance (DCMEM) in National Defence Headquarters.

Vince was a proud Cape Bretoner who was an active alumni of the Technical University of Nova Scotia (TUNS) and served on the Executive Committee of the Ottawa Branch of TUNS. He volunteered in many ways in support of the Baptist Church community where he became Moderator of the Ottawa Baptist Association. Vince was an active member with several Regimental Associations. He dedicated much of his efforts in his retirement to the Canadian Defence Association as their Archivist and the Military Engineering Association of Canada (MEAC). Vince was a Honourary Life Member of the MEAC and was awarded a CMEA Commendation in 2012 for his dedicated work over many years to archive and preserve the written records of the Military Engineers Association of Canada.

The family will receive friends at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa), on Saturday, 30 September 2017 from 1:00 p.m. until the time of Memorial Service in Beechwood’s Sacred Space at 2:00 p.m. Interment in the National Military Cemetery located at Beechwood Cemetery, followed by a Reception. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Dementia Society (formerly Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County), or First Baptist Church, 140 Laurier Avenue West, would be appreciated. Messages of Condolence may be left at www.beechwoodottawa.ca. ^{khSep2017}

We regret to advise of the death of Harry Charles Quick, peacefully, on 28 August 2017 in Peterborough ON at the age of 76.

Harry was born in Holland and came to Canada at age 13. He joined the Canadian Army as a Royal Canadian Engineer in 1957 with the 6^th Intake of the Sapper Apprentice program and took his training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Camp Chilliwack, BC. After a short military career with the RCE, Harry started a  second career as a fireman for the City of Peterborough. He served as a fireman for 25 years before retiring at the age of 50.

Harry’s family invite everyone to a memorial service and reception for Harry on 2 September at Highland Park Funeral Centre, Peterborough. Visitation will be held at 9:30 AM, memorial service at 10:30 AM and reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.^{{khSep2017} [zsp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Robert Alexander Knapp in Cascade Hospice, Chilliwack BC on 27 August 2017 at the age of 88.

Bob was born in Halifax, NS and served in the Canadian Military Engineers for 25 years as an Engineer Accountant. His postings included Fort Churchill MB, Whitehorse YT, several other stations in the rest of Canada, and in Germany. He was qualified as a Dominion Marksman Expert.

After retirement, Bob studied Watchmaking and was a Certified Gemologist. He went into business with his father-in-law in Sackville, NB. After his second retirement he spent two years in London England. Bob returned to Chilliwack in 1995 to enjoy his retirement.

A Memorial service and tea will be held at Henderson's Funeral Home on Thursday, 7 September 7 at 1:00 pm and afterward everyone is invited to Branch 4 Legion for story-telling. No flowers please, but a donation to Chilliwack Supportive Housing would be gratefully received. ^{{khJul2017} [zsp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Jean-Pierre “John” Mathieu, CD (Ret'd) in the Belleville General Hospital on 25 August 2017 after a brief illness. John served with the Canadian Military Engineers for 14 years with his last post being with the Construction Engineering Section at Canadian Forces Base Trenton, ON. After his retirement from the Canadian Forces he followed a Second Career as a mason, carpenter, and home renovator in the Belleville, ON area.

Cremation is entrusted to the Steele Funeral Home, Belleville, ON. The family will receive friends at the Steele Family Centre, 20 Moira Street West, Belleville on Saturday, 9 September 2017 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. for a time of fellowship and sharing memories of John. Memorial Donations to the Quinte Humane Society in John’s memory would be appreciated by the family. ^{{khSep17} [zsd, zsp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Gerald Edward "Jake" Mullin of McGregor Brook NB at the Sussex Health Centre on 23 August 2017 with his family by his side at the age of 94 years. Jake was predeceased by his wife, parents, nine brothers and sisters and three of his sons. He is survived by four daughters, three sons and 24 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. 

Jake was born in York, Gaspe QC. He was a Royal Canadian Engineer veteran of the Second World War. He served with the 10th Field Squadron in the United Kingdom, Italy and Northwest Europe. After the war, he worked as a well-driller and retired in 2000.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of Sussex Select Community Funeral Home with where visitation on Saturday, 26 August from 6 until 8 PM. The funeral service will be held on 27 August 2017 at 1:00 PM in the funeral home chapel. Interment will be at Goseline Cemetery. Donations to Mullin’s Mile would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences are available at: www.sussexfh.com

We regret to advise of the death of Major J. Alfred “Alf” Hackaray, CD (Ret’d), suddenly, on 22 August 2017 in Nanaimo BC at age 82. Alf spent much of his career as a Mapper with the Mapping and Charting Establishment in Ottawa.

Alf joined the Army Survey Establishment in Ottawa as a Lieutenant in 1959. He soon proceeded on the Long Survey Course in England and, upon his return to Canada, he participated in the field work for the Military Town Plan maps of Montreal QC, Hamilton & Niagara Falls ON.

Alf was posted next to the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering (1963-68) and then returned to the Army Survey Establishment as Officer Commanding of both the Survey and Reproduction Divisions (1963-73). Following this posting, Alf served with the Base Construction Engineering Section in Esquimalt (1973-77) after which he returned to Ottawa and the Mapping and Charting Establishment (MCE) for a ten year tour.

Alf retired from the Regular Force in 1989 and joined the Reserves where he was soon called-up with MCE for a year. Alf retired from the Reserves in 1990 and lived in Ottawa until 1993 when he moved to British Columbia.

A Memorial Service will be held at First Memorial, 1720 Bowen Road, Nanaimo on 6 October 2017 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Alfred’s memory to a charity of your choice.

We regret to advise the death of Sapper Robert Ernest Otto Kant (Ret'd) on 19 August 2017 in Stratfort ON at the age of 101 years.

Robert was born in Eganville ON into a large family of nine brothers and sisters. He attended school in Eganville and afterwards worked at the Black Creek Cheese Factory in Sebringville ON near the town of Stratford. Robert was a Royal Canadian Engineers veteran of the Second World War. He enlisted in January 1942 and, after training in London, Windsor, Kitchener, Camp Petawawa ON, he served overseas in England, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Robert's brother Herbert, served in the Lincoln & Welland Regiment and was killed in Normandy in August 1944. When the war ended, Robert worked at a research station in England before being discharged in 1946. Back in Canada he had a working career, first with Westinghouse and then with Jones Manufacturing, both in Stratford. He was a member of the Tavistock Memorial Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Army & Navy Club in Stratford.

Visitation was held at the W.G. Young Funeral Home in Stratford on Tuesday 22 August 2017. The funeral service was held at the funeral home on 23 August 2017 with interment at Avondale Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation through the funeral home. ^{{dcJan20wrd} [zsd]}

We regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant Cyrille Dufresne (Ret’d) in Westmount, QC on 12 August 2017 at the age of 97.  Cyrille was a Lieutenant in the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers during the Second World War.

Cyrille Dufresne graduated in mining engineering at Université Laval in 1943 and obtained his PhD in Geology from McGill University in 1952. His career started at Labrador Mining & Exploration Co in 1948. He later joined Iron Ore Company of Canada in 1950 as a geologist. He participated in the creation and construction of the town of Schefferville and, from 1958 to 1963, Cyrille played a key role in the development of the Carol Project in Labrador City as chief engineer of the Iron Ore Company of Canada. Having participated in the creation of la société d'État Sidbec in 1963, he held many executive positions between 1964 and 1976. He held the presidency of la société Sidbec Normines from 1976 to 1983. In 1983, Cyrille joined the Canadian Executive Service Overseas (CESO) as a member of the Board of Directors, becoming chairman of the board, and eventually a member of the Advisory Committee until 1994. In 1984, he became Director of Service–Évaluation au Centre d'innovation industrielle/Montréal (CIM) until 1985.

Mr. Dufresne sat on many boards of directors; Vice-President of the administration council of Resources Nova-Cogesco (1984 to 1993), member of the administration council of Cangold Resources Inc (1994 to 1995) and member of the retirement committee of Hewitt Equipement Ltee (1991 to 2008). A socially involved man, he was the founding president of two school boards in Schefferville and Labrador City. Among his volunteer activities, Cyrille was president of the Montreal Chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association (1975-1981) and, in the early 1980s with his wife Mabel, was one of the founding parents of l'Association québécoise des parents et amis de la personne atteinte de maladie mentale.

The family will receive condolences at the Complexe funéraire Alfred Dallaire Memoria at 1111 rue Laurier Ouest, in Montréal, on Friday, 18 August 2017 from 2-5 and 7-10 p.m. as well as on Saturday, 19 August at l'Église St-Viateur d'Outremont starting at 10 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. [Free valet service offered.] In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Alzheimer Society in your region would be appreciated. Condolences can be sent to the Funeral Home. ^{{khSep17} [zsd, zsp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Chief Warrant Officer Algirdas “Al” Arelis (Ret’d) of Medicine Hat, AB on 9 August 2017 at the age of 88 years.

Al and his family emigrated from Lithuania to Canada in 1948 after surviving many hardships during the Second World War. The family settled in Lethbridge where Al was married.  As his English improved, he was able to secure successful employment in retail sales.  He moved his family to Medicine Hat to accept a managerial position.  Al joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1953 and transferred to the South Alberta Light Horse in 1955.  He excelled in the military.  In 1967, he was honoured to receive the Regimental Guidon from Princess Alexandra during Canada’s Centennial year.  Al retired in 1974 as a Chief Warrant Officer and RSM of his regiment.

A strong advocate of community service, Al was a member of several local service clubs and volunteer committees, including serving on the Medicine Hat College Foundation Board of Directors from 1995-2006 and acting as Chair for seven of those years. In 2004, Al was named Medicine Hat College Alumnus of the Year, in recognition of his volunteerism and family’s generous financial contributions to Medicine Hat College. ^{[dcSep19gd} [zbd, zsp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant Colonel Willard “Will” Austin Garron, CD (Ret’d), of Dartmouth NS, who passed away peacefully in Dartmouth, NS, on 7 August 2017 at age 77 years.

Will was born in Westport, Brier Island, NS and was a graduate of Acadia University and the Nova Scotia Technical College. He served a 32-year career with the Canadian Armed Forces as a Military Engineer officer with postings that included Base Construction Engineering Office in Soest, Germany (1965-66), 4 Field Squadron Operations Officer in Germany (1966/68), Base Construction Engineer Officer, Canadian Forces Base Cornwallis NS (1968-69), Commanding Officer, 2 Field Squadron Gagetown NB (1970-72), and Deputy Chief of Staff Construction Engineering at Maritime Command Headquarters in Halifax NS (1985). After retiring from the Army Will worked for five years as a supervisor with the Dartmouth School Bus System.

Cremation has taken place. A private interment will take place at a later date in Dartmouth Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Palliative Care, Cobequid Health Care Foundation.  Online condolences may be made by visiting the Funeral Home Dartmouth Chapel. ^{khAug17}

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Ralph Ellis (Ret'd) of Hawkesbury, ON on 5 August 2017 at the age of 94 years.

Ralph was born in Montreal, QC. He was a Royal Canadian Engineer veteran of the Second World War who enlisted in 1941 at the age of 18. He completed his basic training at Huntington QC and advanced sapper training in Camp Petawawa ON at A5 Canadian Engineer Training Centre. Ralph arrived in the United Kingdom in late 1943 and soon found himself deployiing to Italy with the 1^st Field Squadron, 5^th Canadian Armoured Division. He was with the squadron as they fought through the Liri Valley, the Gothic Line, the Battle of the Rivers, and all points inbetween. In February 1945, the squadron was moved by landing craft from Italy through Marseilles in France where they boarded railway cars destined for Holland. Ralph was posted to Brigade HQ and served as the Brigadier's driver until the end of the war. The war ended, but Ralph contracted diphtheria and was hospitalized first in Germany, Belgium and finally in Aldershot in England before returning home.

Friends may call at the Berthiaume Family Funeral Home in Hawkesbury on Saturday 12 August 2017. A celebration will follow in the funeral home Chapel. For those who wish, donations to the Ottawa Heart Institute would be appreciated.

We regret to advise of the death of Major Joseph Rosaire Jean-Marie “John” Gagné, CD (Ret’d) on 31 July 2017 in residence at Manoir Héritage in Ottawa,ON.

John was born in La Tuque, QC in 1929 and grew up in and around La Tuque. Over the years he moved with his family among several communities including Montreal and Buckingham, QC. He worked for various industries including a paint manufacturer but eventually settled into a trade as an electrician. In 1948 he enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Force as an Leading Aircraftsman and eventually rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer before being Commissioned from the Ranks and achieving the rank of Major.

John worked in the areas of building maintenance and major infrastructure construction projects. His career saw him posted to numerous locations including Borden ON, Calgary AB, Goose Bay NL, Grostenquin (France), St-Hubert QC, Bagotville QC, Baden-Soellingen (Germany), St- Jean-sur-Richelieu QC, and finally Ottawa where he settled down in 1975.

Jean-Marie had many accomplishments over the years; including his responsibilities as part of the Canadian Forces assistance with the security operations for the 1976 Montreal Olympics and seeing the completion of the construction of the "Mega" – the Canadian Forces Recruit School complex (c 1978) at St-Jean-sur- Richelieu, QC.

Jean-Marie retired in 1977 as a Major with the Canadian Military Engineers and then pursued a second career as a civil servant with the Department of National Defence where he remained until his full retirement in 1992. He also volunteered many hours and chaired the volunteer advisory committee of the Condo Owner's association of Brittany Place (Ottawa) and also contributed to the maintenance and oversight of many projects at that location.

At the family's request, there will be no viewing or funeral. Jean-Marie will be laid to rest alongside his wife Marie-Thérèse during a private family service at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services in Ottawa. For messages of condolence, please visit www.beechwoodottawa.ca . ^{{khJul2017}[ zsp]} 

We regret to advise of the death of Joseph Lucien Rivard, CD of Calgary, AB on 29 July 2017 at the age of 88 years.

Lucien was born in Montreal and was the last surviving member of his family of three girls and two boys. He spent 25 years in the Royal Canadian Engineers including service in Korea and other United Nations Missions. On leaving the army, he spent ten years as a civilian employee of the Department of National Defence. He later worked for Northern Telecom in automotive repair and welding.

Memorial Services will be held at the Bowness Legion Branch # 238 in Calgary on Saturday, 19 August at 1:30 PM Condolences may be forwarded through the funeral home, www.mcinnisandholloway.com.  In living memory of Joseph Rivard, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park. 
 

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Jean-François “JF” Roberto, by accident, on Saturday, 29 July 2017 at the age of 42.

Cpl Roberto enrolled in the Canadian Forces 1998 as a Vehicle Technician and later remustered into the Canadian Military Engineers as a Plumbing and Heating Technician. He served in Trenton and, most recently, as a member of the Real Property Operations Detachment  Petawawa Plumbing Shop for the past two years.

Family and friends are invited to visit at Baker's Island, 8 Wing CFB Trenton on Saturday, 15 August 2017 from 2:00-400 PM. A Celebration of JF's Life will take place at 4:00PM. Reception gathering to follow. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Quinte Humane Society would be appreciated by the family.
Online guestbook and condolences at the Funeral Home.^{{khSep2017{zsp}}

We regret to advise of the death of Peter Andrew Zajac on 14 July 2017 in Winnipeg MB at 97 years of age. 

Peter was born and raised in Winnipeg. He was a veteran of the Second World War and served in the Canadian Army, initially with the National Resources Mobilization Force from 1941 to 1942 and then with the Royal Canadian Engineers from 1942 until1946. He served in the UK, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. 

Peter was a real 'Railway Man'. On returning from overseas, he went back to work with the Canadian Pacific Railway until his retirement in 1984. He worked hard and with distinction, mentoring many apprentices over the years, and was respected by all who knew him. Peter was predeceased by his beloved wife Carole 22 years earlier after almost half a century of a shared life. Together they raised three children. He enjoyed simple things... a day at the beach, listening to Big Band music, a good hockey game or even a bad hockey game, sharing stories about the old days in the North End, or a dog who sat on his lap or licked his hand! But family was always foremost. 

A Celebration of Life will take place on Friday 17 July at Glen Eden Funeral Home, West St. Paul. If friends desire, please donate to the charity of your choice in Peter’s name.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant Fredrick Earl "George" Cartwright of Drummondville, QC on 10 July 2017 at the age of 92 years.

Born in New Glascow, NS, he was nicknamed George by his fathe. In 1928, his father took a job as a chef and moved the family to Quebec where George grew up and was active in Scouting.  In November 1942, only months after he turned 18, George enlisted in the 9^th Field Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers. He trained as radio operator in Camp Petawawa, ON before being sent overseas in 1944.

George operated in an armoured engineer reconnaissance detachment, at the front and sometimes behind enemy lines. He fought through France, Belgium and Holland. In an interview later in life, he described the experience as one of fear, hunger and fatigue.

George returned to Drummondville in 1945 and returned to his job at Canadian Celanese where he worked for another 42 years. In 1953, George enrolled in the 46^th Field Artillery Regiment as a musician.  He continued to serve after the unit was re-roled as the 6^th Battalion, Royal 22^nd Regiment in 1968. As well as being a member of the Legion, he was also active in the Army Cadet organization for five years and the rank of lieutenant. In total, George spent 37 years in uniform.  For his service, he was honoured with the Medal of the Quebec National Assembly shortly after he died.

Visitation will be held at the Yves Houle Funeral home in ­Drummondville on Friday, 28 July from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. and ­Saturday 29 July from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. followed by the funeral service at 4:30 p.m. at Saint-George Church. In lieu of flowers, a donation to a charitable organization of your choice in his memory would be appreciated. ^{dcNov19gd}

We regret to advise of the death of Chief Petty Officer Jack Eugene Dickson, CD (Ret'd) on 8 July 2017 at the Saint John Regional Hospital, Saint John, NB at the age of 80 years.

Jack was born in North Battleford, SK. He enlisting in 1944 and was a Royal Canadian Engineer veteran of the Second World War. Jack later joined the Royal Canadian Navy and served until 1974. After his naval career, Jack was employed as an Electrical Instructor at New Brunswick Community College in Saint John for 17 years, retiring in 1987.

At the family's request, there is no visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Saint Ann's Church in Saint John on 13 July 2017. Interment was held in Grande-Digue, NB. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jack may be made to the East Saint John Food Bank or to a charity of the donor's choice.

We regret to advise of the death of Major, The Reverend Sidney Gordon "Padre Sid" Horne, CD (Ret'd), peacefully at his residence in Trenton ON  on Sunday 2 July 2017 in his 93^rd year. Padre Sid will be remembered by many Sappers as the Protestant Padre at Camp Chilliwack (1962-67). He told a friend that he loved his time with the Engineers and wanted to be carried to his final resting place while "Wings" was being played.

Padre Sid Horne was a graduate of the College of St. Chad's 1951 and was ordained into the Anglican Church of Canada. He celebrated his 60^th year of Ordination in 2011 and received an Honourary Doctorate of Divinity in May 2012. Padre Sid spent a total of 32.5 years as a Military Chaplain, including six months in the Middle East as a Chaplain to the Canadian Contingent of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Egypt.

Padre Sid was honoured in 1995 by being made Honourary Chaplain of Canadian Forces Base Trenton. As well, he was an Honourary Assistant at St. George's Anglican Church Trenton since 1971, former Chaplain to the Royal Canadian Legion area branches, 413 Wing Association, Hastings Prince Edward Regimental Association, and was the first Chaplain to the National Canadian Air Force Association.

After retirement from the Military Chaplaincy Padre Sid served from 1987 - 1994 as Parish Priest to the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte . The Chief Band Council honoured him by making him an Honourary Chaplain, inducted into the Mohawk Tribe, and given the name "RA WEN NEN HA WE" , that means "The Carrier of the Word". The late Bob Campney, former Mayor of Quinte West, referred to Sid as "Everyone's Padre". His kindness and support of others earned him the Ontario's Senior Citizen of the Year award in 2008. He was also a Life Member of the Masonic Lodge (66 years) and was provided with a personal letter of congratulations from the Prime Minister of Canada honouring his work in the church and the community.

The family will receive friends at the Weaver Life Centre, 29 Bay Street, Trenton on Tuesday, 18 July 2017 from 2-5 & 7-9 pm. A Masonic Service will be held at the funeral home on 18 July at 6:15 pm, followed by a Legion Memorial Service at 6:45 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at Christ Church Royal Chapel, 52 South Church Lane, Deseronto on 19 July at 1:30 pm. Private family Inurnment at St. George's Cemetery Trenton. Donations to the Quinte Humane Society would be appreciated by the family in his memory. Online guest book and condolences at www.weaverfunerahomes.com ^{khJul2017}

We regret to advise of the death of Qasem Mahmud on 26 June 2017 in Ottawa ON. Qasem was a Professional Engineer with decades of service in the Canadian public sector that included Engineering and Architectural staff in ADM (IE) at National Defence Headquarters. He was a visionary leader in the National Capital Region Muslim community.

Born in Haifa, Mandated Palestine, Qasem was an engineering graduate of Cairo University. He emigrated to Canada in 1963 and, within three years of arriving, he formed the Hamilton Muslim Association. Three years later he set up the first weekly Islamic school at McMaster University. This was soon followed by his creating Ahram Ahram Construction to provide housing for Hamilton's Muslim community. Qasem moved to Ottawa in 1972 and established the first Ottawa Islamic School. He also launched a book project with a series of children's books that were first published in 1981.

Qasem provided leadership within the Muslim community and held many offices. Before the formation of the Islamic Information Centre (now the Islam Care Centre) and other groups now representing Muslims in the media, Qasem was the voice and face of Ottawa Muslims in most of the city's civic forums.

​He was the President of the Association of Palestinian Arab-Canadians in 1981. He founded the Eman Summer Camp at Long Bay campsite, near Westpoint ON, to fill a void for Muslim youth activities. For more than 30 years the camp has attracted the region's school children with religious, cultural, and outdoor activities and provided leadership training.

Qasem became Chair of the Islamic School Federation of Ontario in 1985. In 1989 he was Chair of the Ottawa Board of Education's Multicultralism Advisory Committee and went on to become Chair of the Ethnocultural Alliance of the Capital Region. He co-founded the Muslim Community Council of Ottawa Gatineau in 1994, followed by the Council of Muslim Communities in 2001. Qasem became President of the Muslim Council of Ottawa-Gatineau in 2004.. He was Chair of the Joint Committee of the Ottawa Muslim Association in 2011 and was also president of The Arabic and Islamic Education Foundation of Ottawa.

The funeral janazah prayer will take place on 28 June 2020 at 1:30pm at the Ottawa Main Mosque at 251 Northwestern Ave. followed by the burial at the Pinecrest Cemetary. Condolences will be held at the SNMC Mosque 3020 Woodroffe Ave on 28 to 29 June from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.^{khAug2020}

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Peter John “Stan” Kurdziel, CD (Ret’d), peacefully, on 22 June 2017 in Ottawa, ON at age 92. He served his country in the Royal Canadian Engineers for 26 years and was the grandfather of Combat Engineer Sgt Dale Kurdziel, MB, who was awarded the Medal of Bravery for his actions in Afghanistan in 2010.

Stan was born in Pine River, MB and attended Portage la Prairie High School  before joining the Army and enrolling in the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1947. After completing his Basic Sapper training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Camp Chilliwack BC,  Stan was transferred to Royal Canadian Air Force Station Rivers, MB with the Canadian Special Air Service Company, a Canadian Airborne Special Forces that was in operation between 1947 and 1949. In 1950 he was transferred to the Canadian Joint Air Training Center in Rivers as a Parachutist Instructor, Packer, and Rigger. While at Rivers, in 1951 he qualified as a Pilot for the Heavy Transport Glider.

Still remaining Airborne, Stan was transferred to 1 Airborne Troop, RCE in Edmonton, AB in 1953 as Chief Clerk. He was then posted to Germany where he served for two unit rotations (1957-60) as Chief Clerk with 4 Field Squadron and 2 Field Squadron.

Stan returned to Canada in 1960 and worked in the Postings and Career office in Army Headquarters. After a six-year tour there he was moved to 26 Works Company in Ottawa for a year as their Chief Administration and Finance Clerk. Promoted to Master Warrant Officer in 1967, he then returned to Headquarters as the Administrative Clerk with the Directorate of Construction Engineering Management and Plans. In 1970 Stan moved to the Secretariat with Director General Works for a year before being transferred to his final position in the Engineer Equipment Co-ordination section of the Directorate of Military Engineering (1971-73).

Stan retired in 1973. He had been taking Professional Development courses since 1965 and had accumulated an impressive portfolio of diplomas in Accounting, Production, and Administration from Algonquin College, Loyalist College and University of Guelph.  He joined the Public Service at Public Archives and National Library in 1975 and followed a Second Career as a Financial Internal Auditor and a Systems and Procedures Project Officer.

Stan was a Member of the Society of Management Accountants of Ontario, and the Financial Management Institute. He was a passionate volunteer in his community.
A celebration of Stan’s life will be held on Saturday, July 15, at 1:30 p.m. at Bethany Baptist Church, 382 Centrepointe Dr, Ottawa. In his memory, donations can be made to Bethany Baptist Church or to the charity of your choice. Online condolences can be sent via the Funeral Home. 

We regret to advise of the death of Keith Wayne Russell on 18 June 2017 at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital in Vernon BC. Keith had proudly served as a Royal Canadian Engineer in the 6^th Field Squadron in North Vancouver, BC.

Keith was born in 1940 and grew up in West Vancouver, BC. He spent time working summers on the old Family farm and a year of school in Westlock, AB. He started his own family in North Vancouver and soon moved them to Prince George BC in 1966 to open a denturist practice. Keith moved to Vernon, BC in 1993 where he opened another denturist office. In retirement he joined the Commissionaires.

There will be no Funeral Service by Keith’s request. On-line condolences can be sent to Legacy.com. 

We regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant Colonel M.E. “Ted” Hewett, CD (Retd) suddenly but peacefully on 14 June 2017 in Ottawa, ON.

Born in London, ON in 1941 and raised in Owen Sound, Ted joined the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers after he graduated from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute. His long career in the Canadian military included postings from Canada's east coast to British Columbia , peacekeeping duty in the Middle East, and then to Brussels and Germany before settling in Ottawa in 1984. Ted spent the final phase of his career working to improve military housing across Canada.

To remember Ted, consider a memorial donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Condolences can be sent to Legacy.com.

We regret to advise of the death of William Hanlan “Willy” Armstrong of Enfield, NS on Sunday, 11 June 2017 at age 74 in the Palliative Care Unit, Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro NS.

Bill was born in 1942 in Brighton, ON and proudly served his country for 25 years as a Canadian Military Engineer. Bill served in Chilliwack, BC, with 1 Field Squadron in Petawawa ON,  4 Field Squadron in Lahr Germany, and in  Gagetown, NB and Halifax, NS. For his second career he served with the Public Service in Halifax operating Jetty Crane C with the Halifax Dockyard and retired with 43 years of loyal service to his country.

No visitation by request. Cremation has taken place. A family memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the Palliative Care Unit, Colchester East Hants Health Centre Foundation or the VON Colchester East Hants Branch.

Condolences, words of comfort and memories of Bill may be shared with the family at the funeral home. ^{{khJun 2017} [zsp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Major Ian Aubrey Hayward,  P. Eng. (Ret’d)  on 10 June 2017, peacefully after a lengthy illness, at Longwood, Nanaimo, BC at the age of 91 years.

Ian was born and raised on the farming country of the Cotswolds in England and received his education at Westwood's Grammar School in North Leach. At the outbreak of WW II the British Army needed more Engineers and enrolled students who excelled in Math and Science as cadets in a four-year Engineering Education Program.  Graduating from this program as an engineer, he and his fellow cadets then were trained as soldiers with the Black Watch in Scotland before he was posted to the Royal Engineers as an Officer. He was an undefeated middle-weight boxer and pistol shooting champion.

As the war ended, Ian was sent overseas to India, Malaya and then Singapore where he presided over the interned Japanese army soldiers during their restitution of Singapore.  Ian returned to England in 1950 and left the Army, joined the British Colonial Service and became the Senior Engineer in charge of Singapore.

In 1954 Ian decided to take a look at Canada. He settled in the Vancouver area and became a well respected electrical engineer. While working for BC Hydro, Ian’s survey of the Peace, Parsnip and Findlay rivers by canoe ultimately led to the location of the W. A.C. Bennett Dam.

At the same time, Ian joined 6^th Field Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers in North Vancouver and was their Commanding Officer 1963-64.  He started his own electrical engineering firm, Ian Hayward Assoc., designing and creating electrical systems for hospitals and large shopping malls in Vancouver. He was also responsible for the lighting on the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver. His specialty, however, soon became the design and construction of high power line projects across the rugged, mountainous terrain of BC. This soon led to the creation of his company Hayward International and the involvement in unique power line projects around the world such as the Andes of South America and the mountains of Papua, New Guinea.

In his mid-70s he spent time in the Yukon building a power line from a dam south of Mayo to bring electrical power to Dawson City. After this he enjoyed traveling around the world before finally settling for good to enjoy the beachfront home at Evening Cove.

Ian was a lifetime professional member APEG.BC  and a founding member of the BC Wildlife Federation.

At Ian's request, there will be no memorial service. At a later date, there will be just a simple gathering of his family to sprinkle his ashes in his favorite place. On-line condolences can be sent to the Funeral Home. ^(khOct17}

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Victor Roy (Ret’d) of Dalhousie, NB on 7 June 2017 at the Campbellton Regional Hospital at the age of 94 years.

Victor was born in Eel River Crossing, NB. He was a veteran of the Second World War and served in the Royal Canadian Engineers.  He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Dalhousie Branch # 17. 

A funeral mass will be held on 14 June at 4:00 PM in the Holy Trinity Church, Eel River Crossing.  Victor will rest at Savoie Funeral Home in Eel River Crossing with visitation from 2:00 PM until the time of the funeral.  All members of the Legion are requested to gather at the Savoie Funeral Home at 3:00 PM for a Legion service. ^{{dcNov2017gd} [zcc, zsd, zsp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Rolland Gregory "Rollie" Dussault, CD (Ret'd) on 4 June 2017 at the age of 71 in Ottawa, ON.

Rollie was born in Kingston, ON in 1946. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Engineers as a Field Engineer in 1965 and the next year he was taken on strength of Army Survey Establishment in Ottawa. For the next twenty years he was involved in diverse jobs and had more than his share of odd adventures. He began the initial Trade Selection Course in January 1967 and qualified as a Group 1 Topographic Surveyor ( Level 4) three months later. Two years later Rollie was promoted to Corporal.  In 1974 he was detached to the Department of Energy Mines and Resources for the first Arctic Doppler survey and was promoted to Sergeant in June 1975. He worked in the various sections of the unit until he was promoted to Warrant Officer in June 1982.

Rollie became interested in the computer end of the business after years of field survey, compilation and such mundane chores and he worked in this new area for a few years. Having attended University of New Brunswick in 1984 he believed that he could do better as a civilian. Accordingly, he took his release in January 1986 at the rank of Waster Warrant Officer and became a CS2 Programmer Analyst with Mapping and Charting Establishment. Five years later he took a position with the computer division of Energy Mines and Resources’ from which he retired in 2002.

Friends and family are invited to visit at the Kemptville Chapel of  Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 805 Prescott Street, Kemptville, on Monday 12 June 2017 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel on Tuesday at 11 a.m. followed by a reception. Donations to The Elisabeth Bruyere Palliative Care Ward would be appreciated. Condolences/Tributes/Donations can be made at Hulse, Playfair & McGarry Funeral Home. ^{khJun17}

We regret to advise of the death of Captain David Earl Reeves (Ret’d) on 30 May 2017 in Windsor, ON at the age of 82 years.

David was a Corporal with the Royal Canadian Engineers at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering at Camp Chilliwack, BC in the early 1950s. For a second career, he was a Special Education teacher with Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board.  Dave also served in the Militia with the Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment and retired as a Captain. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 12

Donations to the Canadian Dachshund Rescue or Windsor Regional Cancer Centre would be appreciated by the family. Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be held at St. Mary's Anglican Church, 1983 St. Mary's Gate, Walkerville on Friday, 9 June 2017 at 3:00 p.m.  Condolences can be sent to the Funeral Home. ^{{khJun17} [zpp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Raymond Ashley "Ray" Davidson of Pembroke, ON in the Ottawa General Hospital on 29 May 2017 in his 93^rd year.

Ray was born in McGivney NB. He was a Royal Canadian Engineer veteran of the Second World War and after the war, he served in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps militia.He worked as an electrician for Neon Signs in Ottawa and Pembroke.  Ray was a member of the Pembroke Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

The family will receive friends and relatives at the Neville Funeral Home in Pembroke on Thursday 1 June 2017. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Columbkille's Cathedral in Pembroke on Friday 2 June 10:30 AM. The interment will be at St. Columba's Cemetery in Pembroke. Royal Canadian Legion members are requested to meet at the funeral home for prayers on Thursday at 7:30 PM. As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the St. Columbkille's Cathedral Memorial Fund would be appreciated.

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant William “Bud” Fairs, CD (Ret'd) on 22 May 2017 at the age of 82 years at the Pasqua Hospital in Regina, SK.  Bud was born in St. Thomas, ON and served in the Canadian Army as a Field Engineer with the Royal Canadian Engineers.

Among other postings during his career, Bud was an Instructor in Recruit Training Squadron (RTS) in the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack, BC, with the Field Squadron in Germany and with 1 Field Squadron in Petawawa, ON from which he retired in 1970. Bud was recruited for his second career by fellow RTS instructor, Richard Ahenakew, who had become a First Nations Chief (and later Grand Chief for Canada). Bud was hired to be his Saskatchewan First Nation assistant in a senior capacity.

At Bud’s request, there will be no service. Bud has requested that his ashes be cast to the wind over his favourite fishing hole in British Columbia.^{{khJun17} [zsp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper William Martin “Bill” MacSween (Ret’d) at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney NS on 20 May 2017 at the age of 82 years.

Bill served in the Royal Canadian Engineers and retired back to Cape Breton in 1961. He worked with the Bill Lynch Shows carnival, travelling throughout the Maritimes for many years. He was also an active member of the Sydney Branch #12 of the Royal Canadian Legion, serving as Sergeant-at-Arms.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held 24 May from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the SW Chant & Son Funeral Home in Sydney with a service to follow at 7:00 PM in the chapel. Online condolences may be sent to our webpage at www.chantfuneralhome.com.