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 Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Ian Ross, CD (Ret’d), peacefully on 2 January 2026 at PeopleCare Nursing Home in Meaford ON, at the age of 87.

Born in Sarnia ON, Tom served a full career with the Canadian Military Engineers and rose to become a Chief Warrant Officer in the Construction Engineer trades. He had many skills and talents – among them his ability to speak German, Russian, and French. 

After retiring from the Canadian Forces in British Columbia, Tom and his family moved to Alberta. He was a longstanding member of the Masons and became The Worshipful Master in his Lodge in Calgary.  He advanced to The Grand Lodge of Alberta and held the position of Junior Warden.  After he moved to Meaford ON, he held many positions in  Pythagoras Lodge 137.  Tom was also a member of the Owen Sound Legion Branch No. 6. 

A service celebrating Tom’s life will be conducted at Knox Presbyterian Church in Meaford at a date to be announced. Interment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery.

Condolences can be sent to the funeral home.   Donations to the Knox Presbyterian Church or the Meaford Nursing Home would be appreciated and can be made through the funeral home.