We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Eugene "Gene" Lyal Tanner, CD (Ret'd) of Comox BC on 10 March 2026 at the age of 95 years.
Gene was born in Little Britain ON, and grew up in Bancroft. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1949 and undertook his basic training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering (RCSME) in Chilliwack BC. He was then posted to the Army Survey Establishment in Ottawa, where he served the rest of his military career, except for a 1964 tour with RCSME as a Survey Instructor.
Known also as "Slim," much of Gene’s career was spent surveying the rough terrain in the northern regions of Canada. He loved to regale his many friends with exciting stories of camping and travelling with packhorses on the sides of steep mountains.
Gene retired from the Canadian Forces in 1970. In his second career, he worked at the Vancouver Airport. He moved to Comox in 2008, where he enjoyed retirement and participated in car clubs in Comox and Campbell River. He enjoyed road trips and gatherings with his collection of old cars, and he took great pleasure in driving wedding parties and high school graduates to their ceremonies.
Funeral arrangements will be advised when known. Donations in Gene’s memory will be welcomed by the BCSPCA Comox Valley. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.