L'association du Génie Militaire Canadien

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant John Hélie, CD (Ret’d), in the Chilliwack Hospital on  9 January 2026 at age 83. 

John was born in Trois-Rivières QC, one of twelve siblings. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1959  and served with the Canadian Military Engineers for 27 years as a Combat Engineer and a Heavy Equipment Operator. He spent most of his career in our field squadrons and saw his share of deployments. John was in 4 Field Squadron in Germany (1962-64) and then in 3 Field Squadron in Chilliwack BC where he was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces National Hockey Championship team in 1968. John then served in 5^e Régiment du génie de combat in Valcartiers QC (1968-70), following which he was a Heavy Equipment instructor at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC.

Following his retirement from the Canadian Forces, John remained in Chilliwack and worked for the Bank of Montreal.

When John retired in Chilliwack, he contributed to his community. He was very active with his Royal Canadian Legion Branch where he contributed in many roles,  including leading the Colour Party, participating in ceremonial services, and assisting as a maintenance volunteer. John also drove patients to cancer clinic appointments in Vancouver. He was awarded the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers in 2017 for his dedication and enthusiasm.

A Legion Poppy service and Celebration of Life will be held for John at the Chilliwack Legion  Branch 205 on 7 March at 1:00 PM.

We regret to advise of the death of a Second World War Royal Canadian Engineer veteran, Sapper Owen David Atkinson (Ret'd) of Wedgeport NS on 8 January at Veteran’s Place, Yarmouth NS. Owen would have been 103 on 19 January 2026.

Born in Clarke’s Harbour NS, Owen lost his mother when he was eleven and was taken out of school the following year to fish with his father to help support the family. A few years later, during the Second World War, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Engineers, where he trained as a heavy truck driver and served in Canada.

After the war, Owen bought a lobster license for twenty-five cents, and took a skiff out onto the ocean. From this humble start, he became a successful and well-respected lobster fisherman.

Owen was a proud lifetime member and founding member of the Wedgeport Legion Branch 155. He was also a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on 13 January 2026, in St. Ambrose Co-Cathedral Church in Yarmouth. The reception will be held at the Wedgeport Royal Canadian Legion branch, following the burial in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Wedgeport.

Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.  Donations in memory of Owen can be made to the Gilles Boudreau and Friends Cancer Help Fund

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Chief Warrant Officer Yvon Serre, CD (Ret’d), unexpectedly on 29 December  2025 at his home in Petawawa ON at the age of 75 years.

Yvon served with the Canadian Military Engineers as a Military Firefighter for 36 years. As a young Airman, he was an instructor at the Canadian Forces Fire School, and he returned many years later to become the Firefighting Academy’s Chief Warrant Officer. Some of his many career postings were to Canadian Forces Base Downsview ON, CFB North Bay ON, CFB Trenton ON, CFB Bagotville QC, CFB Goose Bay NL, Academy Chief Warrant Officer at the Canadian Forces Fire Academy in CFB Borden ON,  Air Command Headquarters in Winnipeg MB,  and his final posting back to CFB North Bay as the Base Chief Warrant Officer.

Yvon retired from the Canadian Forces in 2003 and settled in Petawawa ON where he was very active in managing and supporting the Petawawa Pantry food bank and related charitable efforts, such as the Christmas hamper and toy drive.

Respecting Yvon’s wishes, cremation has taken place. As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Petawawa Pantry would be appreciated. Online condolences are available can be sent to the funeral home.