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We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Petty Officer Second Class Gerald "Gerry" Douglas Wills, CD (Ret’d) of Bayswater NS on 13 September 2022 in the QEII Victoria General site in Halifax at age 79 years.

Born in Dresden ON, Gerry served in the Royal Canadian Navy for almost 25 years. He served on HMCS Bonaventure, at Canadian Forces Base Shearwater NS and on other Canadian Forces bases across Canada. When he retired from the Navy, Gerry went on to pursue numerous other occupations including driving for the Lieutenant Governor and teaching for Survival Systems and the Halifax Regional Center for Education.

There will be no funeral service by request. Cremation has taken place and Gerry will be laid to rest at sea. Donations in his memory may be made to the Salvation Army 2038 Gottingen St., Halifax, NS, B3K 3A9, or Souls Harbour Rescue Mission P.O. Box 9255, Halifax, NS, B3K 5M8. Online condolences may be sent to the funeral home.

Le major-général D. Benjamin, CMM, CD (retraité), colonel commandant du Génie militaire canadien, a le regret d'annoncer le décès de Sa Majesté la reine Elizabeth II, colonel en chef du Génie militaire canadien, le 8 septembre 2022.

Signez le livre pour Sa Majesté la reine Elizabeth II

We regret to advise of the death of the Reverend Canon John Stanley “Stan” Whitehouse, a WWII Sapper veteran, peacefully on 3 September 2022 at his home in Waupoos ON at age 94 years.

As a boy and as a young man, Stan grew up singing in the Choir of the Church of The Transfiguration in Toronto. His association with that church continued for some years after he was married and he was  ordained a Deacon there. 

In 1942, at the age of 16, Stan joined the Reserve Army with the 2^nd  Battalion, 48^th  Highlanders. He enlisted in the Active Army with the Royal Canadian Engineers at age 17 and became a Photogrammetrist. Based in Halifax NS, Stan subsequently volunteered for action in the Pacific Threatre. He was training for this action when the Second World War ended in August 1945 and he was demobilized.

Returning to civilian life, Stan accepted a call to the Anglican Ministry and completed his education at the University of Toronto and Wycliffe College. Following his ordination, “Father”/“Padre” Stan, as he was commonly known, served as Priest and Rector of Anglican churches in Selkirk and Winnipeg MB. Later, in Ottawa, Toronto and Woodbridge ON.  Father Stan was Rector of that parish at the time of his retirement in 1990.

After his retirement, Stan enjoyed continuing his ministry as an Associate Priest at St. Mary Magdalene in Picton ON as well as at Christ Church in Glen Miller. Stan was also the Padre for 60 years at various branches of the Royal Canadian Legion, ending at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #78 in Picton, as well as being Padre for the Air Force Wing Association.

In accordance with Stan’s wishes, there will be no public funeral service nor Celebration of Life ceremony. Stan has been cremated with a private interment to follow in a family plot within the cemetery of Christ Church Anglican, Woodbridge. 

Stan supported many charitable organizations. If desired, a donation to the charity of your choice in his memory would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be sent to the funeral home.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Allan Douglas “Bud” McChesney, CD (Ret’d) of Edmonton AB on Monday 22 August 2022 at the age of 80 years.

Bud was born in South Porcupine ON and grew up in Timmins ON, the eldest of four children. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1958 at the young age of 16 and proudly continued his Army career until he retired as a Warrant Officer in 1979. 

Bud started his military career as an Artillery Surveyor but, while serving with 4^th Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in Petawawa ON, he remustered to become a Topographic Surveyor with the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1958. Bud served the remainder of his military career with Army Survey Establishment (later Mapping and Charting Establishment ) in Ottawa. His career with the Canadian Military Engineers focused on the work of the Military City Map program. In addition, he worked on the Arctic Survey program in 1971.

Bud retired from the Canadian Forces in 1978 at the rank of Warrant Officer and moved his family to Edmonton where he began a second successful career with Alberta Department of Highways. Bud also continued to do contract work with the Armed Forces bases in Edmonton. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, 2 September 2022 at 2:00 pm at Kensington Shepherd's Care Chapel (3^rd floor), 12603 135 Avenue NW Edmonton. Online condolences can be sent to his guestbook  Memorial contributions may be made in Bud's memory to Kensington Shepherd's Care Long Term Care or Alzheimer's Society of Alberta.

We regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant William Sinclair Pickworth, CD (Ret’d), peacefully, 
on Monday, 15 August 2022 in Ottawa ON at age 93 years. Bill was a member of the 3^rd Field Engineer Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers (now 33 Combat Engineer Regiment ) during the 37-year period 1944 -1981. 

Bill volunteered as a boy soldier during the Second World War in April 1944 - with his parents’ consent as he was underage. Because of his youth, he could not be sent overseas. Bill started his career in the Militia as a sapper and rose through the ranks in the unit until he was commissioned to the rank of Lieutenant. 

Bill always held fond memories of his unit building its own armoury on Lees Avenue in 1952 in just five months. They occupied that armoury for some 50 years until the unit was moved to their current location on Walkley Road.  Bill will be remembered by the unit as ”Father Bill” for when he was the Administration Officer and could always tie all the loose ends together.

Throughout his years of service, Bill was a frequent contributor of articles to the local newspapers where he explained what his unit did and how they contributed to the community. He was an active member of the Military Engineers Association of Canada.

Bill began his corporate career initially working for IBM and then with the National Research Council. Towards the end of his civilian career, he worked for the Science Council of Canada. 

In accordance with Bill’s wishes, a private cremation was held with a graveside service planned for later in the Fall. In Memorium Donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation, 40 Ruskin St. Ottawa, ON K1Y 4W7.  Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of  Corporal John Francis Moore, CD (Ret’d) on 9 August 2022 at Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville NS at age 65.

Born in Montreal, QC, John served 25 years in the Canadian Forces as a Field Engineer and an Aircraft Systems Technician. He took his basic Recruit training at Canadian Forces Base Cornwallis NS in 1975 and then completed his Field Engineer training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC. 

John’s postings as a Field Engineer included 3 Field Squadron and Base Operations in Chilliwack before he remustered to Aircraft Systems Technician. He was posted to CFB Greenwood as an AST Tech and retired there in 2000. For his second career, John worked  for IMP Aerospace & Defence at Greenwood for 10 years.
Cremation has taken place. John’s funeral service will be held on 18 September 2022 at 2:00 PM at Royal Canadian Legion Branch #6 in Kentville (37 River St, Kentville, NS ) . Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Master Corporal John William Maxwell, CD (Ret’d), peacefully in Dartmouth NS on 8 August 2022.

Born and raised in Sydney NS, John was a member of the  Sea Cadets in his youth. He started his lengthy 45-year career in the Canadian Armed Forces when he joined the Reserves as a Field Engineer with 45^th Field Engineer Squadron in Sydney. John transferred to the Regular Forces and served with the Canadian Military Engineers in locations that included 22 Field Squadron in Gagetown NB, where he worked on Northern Airfield Construction at Pond Inlet. He also served in 4 Combat Engineer Regiment in Lahr Germany before remustering to the Royal Canadian Air Force.where he pursued a second career as a Safety Systems Technician.

There will be no service by John’s request. Visitation to celebrate John’s life will be held at Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd, Whitney Pier on 3 September 2022, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Francis Room. Interment will take place in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens, Sydney. Donations in memory of John may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.  

We regret to advise of the death of Master Corporal Mark Anthony Hew (Ret'd) on 28 July 2022 in Toronto ON at age 57 years.

Mark was a former member of 2 Field Engineer Regiment in Toronto (now 32 Combat Engineer Regiment) who joined the unit in 1983. His service included a tour in Cambodia as a technical advisor for the Cambodian Mine Action Center.

Visitation will be on Friday, 5 August 2022 from 4-8:00 pm. at Highland Funeral Home in Scarborough ON [ 3280 Sheppard Ave E]. The funeral service will be held Saturday, 6 August 2022 at the Highland Funeral Home. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Mel Wells, CD (Ret’d) on 24 July 2022 at the Bradley Center in Chilliwack BC.

Born in Ceylo SK, Mel served his country in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Draftsman in the Royal Canadian Engineers for 25 years. He enlisted during the Second World War and started his sapper training at A6 Canadian Engineer Training Centre (CETC) when it was in Dundurn SK. Mel was one of those Sappers who made their way by train from Dundurn to Vedder Crossing BC in April 1942 when A6 CETC moved to Vedder Crossing. The march from the train station in Chilliwack to the new army camp in what was a former pig farm in the Vedder Crossing  area remained in his memory as part of his introduction to the Royal Canadian Engineers… living in tents and starting to build the camp as part of his training.

Mel’s career as a Draftsman included postings to Winnipeg MB and Regina SK before he returned to Chilliwack as an instructor in Trades Training Squadron until he retired in 1963. Mel stayed with the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering for his second career as an instructor for an additional 27 years.

Funeral Arrangements are private. Online condolences can be sent to the Chilliwack Progress.

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Joseph Alexander York, CD (Ret’d) of Kingston NS on 20 July 2022 at age 51 years. Joe’s career in the Regular Force as a Construction Technician spanned 13 years.

Joe was born in Halifax NS and was raised in the Eastern shore of Nova Scotia. He enrolled in the Canadian Forces in 2005 as a Construction Technician and was posted to 4 Engineer Support Regiment in Gagetown NB after the completion of his basic training course at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering.  While posted to 4 ESR, Joe participated in numerous domestic exercises and completed the DP2 journeyman course in March 2011. After eight yearsin Gagetown, he was posted to 14 Wing in Greenwood NS.

During Joe’s posting to Greenwood, he was employed with 14 Mission Support Squadron  Construction Engineering, working primarily on infrastructure-related work orders in support of 14 Wing Operations. While serving in there, Joe deployed to Sinai on Op CALUMET for a seven-month tour, completed specialist training in Savannah Georgia, and to South Dakota on a joint tasking with other nations.

Joe retired from the Canadian Forces in 2019 and worked as a DND public servant for the Real Property Operations Unit (Atlantic) ) Greenwood Detachment paint shop. 

Cremation has taken place and there will be no service by request. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Captain Gary Oliver, CD (Ret’d) on 15 July 2022. Gary’s career in the Reserve and the Regular Force as an Infantryman and Firefighter spanned 36 years. 

Gary enrolled in the Canadian Forces in 1970 as a Field Engineer with 56^th Field Engineer Squadron in St. Johns NL and transferred to the Regular Force the next year as an Infantryman with the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR). His seven-year infantry career started at 3 RCR in Petawawa ON followed by the Canadian Airborne Regiment in Edmonton AB. That posting included a six-month United Nations Peacekeeping tour to Cyprus in 1974. In 1977, Gary was posted from 2 Commando (2 CDO) in Edmonton to 2 RCR in Gagetown NB. 

Gary remustered to the Firefighter trade in 1978 and upon completing the Basic Firefighting Course at Canadian Forces Base Borden, he was posted to CFB Comox BC.  Gary took his release from the Canadian Forces after three years but re-enrolled before the end of that same year. He was then posted to CFB Ottawa South after which he took up instructional duties at the Canadian Forces Firefighting Academy. Subsequently, he had a two-year sea posting to HMCS Margaree in 1986 after which he returned to Ottawa and a three-year sea tour on HMCS Fraser. In 1994, Gary was posted to 14 Wing Greenwood followed by a posting back to CFFA at Borden in 1999 as Standards Master Warrant Officer. 

Gary was commissioned in the rank of Captain in 2001 under the Special Requirements Commissioning Plan and assumed the position of Chief Instructor for CFFA. After this assignment, he received his long sought-after posting to “The Rock” when he was appointed Officer Commanding 91 Airfield Engineer Flight Gander in 2004. 

In accordance with Gary’s wishes, there will be no public funeral. Gary’s ‘Final Jump’will take place on 5 December 2022 when his ashes will be scattered from a RCAF Hercules CC 130J aircraft over the Jump Zone at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Robert Charles “Charlie“ Wilkinson, CD (Ret'd) of Sherwood Park AB on 7 July 2022 at age 92 years.

Charlie was born in Readlyn SK and grew up with his five brothers in Pleasantdale SK where the family homesteaded. He enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1949 at the age of 19 and joined the Royal Canadian Engineers.  Charlie was a Carpenter whose postings included: No 1 Road Maintenance Company with the Northwest Highway System in Whitehorse YK, 13 Works Company in  Edmonton AB, 18 Works Company in Shilo MB, Mapping and  Charting Establishment in Ottawa, the Base Construction Engineering Section in Edmonton AB and the Carpenter Shop with 1^st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in Winnipeg MB.

Charlie served with 23^rd Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers and is a veteran of the Korean War (1952-53). He also served with United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) on peacekeeping duties in 1963 in the Gaza Strip in Egypt during the Arab-Israeli conflict. 

Cremation has taken place and Charlie will be laid to rest in Pleasantdale SK. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Gaitan Riopel “G.R.” Adam at the Pembroke Regional Hospital on Tuesday, 28 June 2022 at the age of 87 years. G.R. was a former Canadian Military Engineer who, in his second career, owned and operated a business in Pembroke for over 50  years. 

Respecting G.R's wishes, cremation has taken place. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Lapasse on Saturday, 9 July 2022 at 2:00 p.m. Interment of Ashes in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery, Lapasse. 

As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Ottawa Cancer Clinic would be appreciated. 
Online Condolences may be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Master Corporal Jason “Jay” Gerald Crann , CD (Ret’d) of Sherwood Park AB on 23 June  2022  at the age of 44 years after a battle with cancer. 

Originally from Newfoundland, Jason enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces as an Infantryman with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. He served with the 1^st Battalion PPCLI in many domestic operations across Canada, in the United States and he deployed to Bosnia. During this time, Jason received the Province of Alberta Centennial Medal (2005).

Jason remustered to Construction Technician and began training in 2006 at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering at the Canadian Forces Base in Gagetown NB. Upon completion of this training he was posted to 4 Construction Engineering Squadron in 4 Wing Cold Lake AB. In 2011 Jason deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Provincial Reconstruction Team. Jason was posted back to Edmonton in 2012 where he completed his military career with 1 Combat Engineer Regiment.

In his retirement from the Canadian Forces, Jason started his own construction company and expanded his hobby of woodworking. The outdoors was Jay’s element and his greatest joys were found outside, as he enjoyed fly fishing, hunting, hiking, camping and golf.

A Celebration of Jay’s Life will be held on Wednesday, 13 July 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the Edmonton Garrison Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess [Building 210 Ortona Road, Canadian Forces Base, Edmonton]. Jason’s life will also be remembered and celebrated in Newfoundland on Saturday, 30 July 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church [110 Ashford Drive, Mount Pearl NL].

Memorial donations may be made to Rob Cosman’s Purple Heart Project or the Canadian Cancer Society. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Thomas Carter “Tom” McEvoy of Cold Lake AB on 20 June 2022 at the age of 73 years.

Tom joined the Canadian Navy as a Supply Technician but remustered to become a Structural Technician in 1981. He served much of his career as a Carpenter with the Canadian Military Engineers at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake AB, where he retired.

At Tom’s request, no formal service will be held and cremation has taken place. Memorial tributes in Tom’s memory may be sent to the Canadian Wildlife Federation, c/o Donor Relations, 350 Michael Cowpland Drive, Kanata, ON K2M 2W1. On line condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer R. Peter Pelley, CD (Ret’d) of Nobelford AB on 17 Jun 2017 after a battle with cancer.

Peter served for 27 years with the Canadian Military Engineers as a Stationary Engineer. His postings included Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake, Canadian Forces Station Alert and Air Command Headquarters. Peter retired from the Canadian Forces in 2001 and settled in Nobleford just outside Lethbridge AB. He worked for Enbridge Gas until 2017 and also served as a Municipal Councillor for seven years.

Funeral arrangements will be advised when known.

We regret to advise of the death of Captain Jason “Jay” Henry Joseph Penny, CD (Ret’d) on 17 June 2022 in Moncton NB at the age of 45 due to complications following a heart transplant.

Born in Cambridge ON, Jason enlisted in the Canadian Forces in 1994 and served the Canadian Military Engineers as a Combat Engineer and Military Engineering Officer. During his career, he served with 2 Combat Engineer Regiment and 4th Canadian Division Support Base in Petawawa ON, with 37th Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters in Moncton NB, and at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Gagetown NB.

Jason participated in two international deployments: on the Kosovo Force (KFOR) in 1999 and as Section Second-in-Command on Joint Task Force Afghanistan in Kabul Afghanistan in 2005. He took great pride in being a Combat Diver, an Airborne Paratrooper, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist as well as a Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV III) Crew Commander.

Jason retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in 2019 at the rank of Captain. He then followed a second career as a Surveillance Officer for the National Aerial Surveillance Program (NASP) - Atlantic Region.  Although Jason was hired as a surveillance officer, he also held a private pilot's license and loved flying with the NASP crew. 

The family will receive condolences at Frenette Funeral and Cremation Centre [88 Church Street, Moncton (506-858-1900)] where the funeral will be celebrated on Saturday, 25 June at 10:30 a.m. Visiting hours are Friday from 6-8:00 p.m. Face covering is recommended. The funeral will be broadcast live  HERE.  

Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home. In memory of Jason, a contribution to the CHU Dumont Foundation or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick would be appreciated.

Nous regrettons de vous informer du décès de l'Adjudant-chef Guy Chenel, CD (ret), paisiblement à sa résidence à St-Jacques-Le-Majeur QC le 16 juin 2022 à l'âge de 67 ans.

Guy s'est joint aux Forces canadiennes en 1972 Technicien de marine (Stoker) dans la Marine et a fait la transition vers le poste de mécanicien stationnaire avec le Génie militaire canadien. Il a servi dans les usines de chauffage des Stations des Forces canadiennes Penhold AB et Moisie QC ainsi qu'à la Base des Forces canadiennes Ottawa dans cette profession. Guy a ensuite travaillé au Quartier général de la Défense nationale avec l'ancienne Direction de l'entretien des bases (DBM) où il a participé au remplacement du cycle de vie des chaudières sur les installations des Forces canadiennes. Cela a été suivi d'une affectation comme instructeur à l'École du génie militaire des Forces canadiennes (1988-1993). Guy est ensuite retourné à Ottawa pour travailler sur le projet du Système d'alerte du Nord.

Guy a été détaché au ministère des Affaires étrangères en tant qu'agent des biens à l'ambassade du Canada en Ukraine en 1996. Il a ensuite été affecté à la 3^e Escadre à Bagotville QC en 1998 et de retour au QGDN d'Ottawa en 1999 pour sa dernière affectation avant sa retraite des Forces armées canadiennes en 2001. Guy a été très impliqué dans l'occupation des systèmes mécaniques tout au long de sa carrière au sein du Génie militaire canadien.

Pour sa deuxième carrière de service, Guy s'est joint au ministère des Affaires étrangères et du Commerce international (MAECI) en tant qu'agent de maintenance régional. Alors qu'il était au MAECI, il faisait partie de l'équipe originale de Canadiens qui a été envoyée à Kaboul en Afghanistan en 2006 pendant deux ans pour rouvrir l'ambassade. Cela a été suivi d'une affectation de deux ans en Algérie, après quoi il a pris sa retraite du MAECI en 2011. Guy s'est installé à Saint Jacques Le Majeur à sa retraite avec sa femme Adèle.

Un service commémoratif aura lieu le 9 juillet 2022 à la Maison Funéraire Audet Ltée [496 ave. Jacques-Cartier, Disraeli, QC]. Les funérailles militaires au cimetière militaire Beechwood à Ottawa auront lieu le 11 juillet 2022 à 11 h. Au lieu de fleurs, des dons à la Fondation des maladies du cœur et de l’AVC du Canada seraient appréciés. Les condoléances en ligne peuvent être envoyées au salon funéraire.

Nous avons le regret d'annoncer le décès du Caporal Vijayarani "Vijay" Mathiyalaghan (Retraité) d'Ottawa le 14 juin 2022 à l'âge de 28 ans dans un accident de moto. Agent du Service de police d'Ottawa, Vijay était un ancien ingénieur de combat et avait servi comme parachutiste.

Vijay est né au Sri Lanka mais a grandi à Ottawa en tant que plus jeune enfant de sa famille. Il s'est joint à la Première réserve d'Ottawa alors qu'il fréquentait l'école secondaire Merrivale. Au cours des années suivantes, Vijay a servi dans plusieurs fonctions de classe A, B et C au sein du 33e Régiment du génie de combat ainsi qu'à Meaford, Kingston, Gagetown, Ottawa et Gatineau.

Vijay est passé dans les Forces régulières et s'est qualifié comme ingénieur de combat à l'École du génie militaire des Forces canadiennes à Gagetown, au Nouveau-Brunswick, en 2016. Il a été affecté au 2e Régiment du génie de combat à Petawawa ON où il a servi jusqu'à sa libération des Forces canadiennes en 2020. Vijay a été déployé en Ukraine dans le cadre de l'opération UNIFIER en 2018.

Après sa libération, Vijay a suivi le cours sur les fondements de la police au Collège Algonquin et s'est joint à la classe de 2020 du Service de police d'Ottawa. Il a servi dans le peloton A central, qui assure le maintien de l'ordre au centre-ville d'Ottawa. Vijay a également fait du bénévolat avec Ottawa Police Hoopstars, un programme de sensibilisation qui utilise le sport pour s'engager auprès de la communauté, et il était passionné de motocyclettes. 

Les drapeaux des bâtiments du SPO ont été mis en berne en l'honneur de Vijay. Les arrangements funéraires seront publiés dès qu'ils seront disponibles.

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Max Marven Ransford "Randy" Davis, CD (Ret’d) of Truro NS on 7 June 2022 at age 61 years. He served in the Canadian Forces for almost 37 years as an Infantryman and a Construction Technician.

Born in Pembroke ON, Randy, as he was known to many in New Salem NS where he grew up, enlisted in the Canadian Forces in 1978 and took his recruit training at Cornwallis NS. From there, he was posted to 1^st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment for a tour that included deploying seven times to Norway and also to the USA. After this posting, Max had a three year Regular Support Staff position with the 4^th Battalion RCR. 

After nine and half years as an Infantryman, Max remustered in 1987 to Construction Technician with the Canadian Military Engineers. After completing his QL 3 Construction Technician Course at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC, he was posted to Canadian Forces Base Suffield until 1992. Promoted to Master Corporal in 1992, Max was posted to CFB Cold Lake AB as a Contract Inspector. While in Cold Lake, he served two deployments; once to the Former Yugoslavia in 1993 and then to Canadian Forces Station Alert in 1994. Two months after returning from Alert, Max was tasked for a deployment to Haiti. Returning to Cold Lake, he deployed to the Winnipeg Flood in 1997. 

After Cold Lake, Max’s next posting was as a section commander with the Naval Construction Troop in Halifax. Two years later, in 1999 he deployed with the troop to the Romanian Embassy for two months and he rebuilt Camp Maple Leaf in 2000 with half the troop in Bosnia. The same year, Max was tasked as an instructor.to Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Gagetown for five months.  During his tour in Halifax, Max also participated in the building of four bridges that became part of the Trans Canada trail in Nova Scotia as part of our CME Centennial “Bridges for Canada” project.

Upon being promoted to Sergeant in 2002, Max transferred to the Contract Cell and stayed there until 2005 when, upon promotion to Warrant Officer, he was posted to 1 Combat Engineer Regiment in Edmonton AB as the Construction Troop Warrant Officer. In that position, Max deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 as Troop Warrant Officer with the Engineer Support Unit. Max took the Intermediate Language Qualification Course shortly after his Afghanistan deployment and returned to 1 CER as Troop Commander. He was soon off to Jamaica to complete a recce mission and  he deployed back there with the Construction Troop in 2007 for five weeks to train as part of TF-1-08, his second tour to Afghanistan.

Max was promoted to Master Warrant Officer in 2008 and remained with 1 CER until he was posted as Detachment Engineering Officer for Detachment Dundurn SK in 2009. After three and half years in Dundurn, Max was posted back to CFB Halifax as the Utilities Squadron Sergeant Major.

Max retired from the Canadian Forces in 2015. Following his retirement, Max and his wife Wendy split their time between Truro and New Salem in the home where Max grew up. Max loved spending time with his family, ATVing, fishing, playing cards and games, listening to Stompin’ Tom Connors, building huge bonfires on the beach and setting off elaborate firework displays to entertain. He also volunteered with Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No 26, in Truro.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 2-5:00 p.m., on Saturday, 18 June 2022, at Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 26 in Truro. As Max stated, he does not want people to be sad, but to have a party and raise a glass of whiskey in his name. Private family interment will be held in New Salem at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Max’s memory to Wounded Warriors to support their service animal program are welcomed. Max loved animals and had an interest in training service animals to support veterans. Online messages of condolence may be sent to the family through the funeral home.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Robert “Bob” Phillips, CD (Ret’d), peacefully on 27 May 2022, at Hospice Renfrew, Ontario in his 75^th year, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. 

Bob was born in Port Arthur ON and spent his early years in Pass Lake and Armstrong, ON. He was living in Capreol ON before joining the Canadian Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers. Bob enjoyed a long career as a Construction Engineering Procedures Technician before retiring from the Canadian Forces in Winnipeg MB in 1990. He then embarked on a second career as an engineer for Ottawa Valley Railway and the GO Transit in Toronto.  

A Celebration of Life will be held on 29 June 2022 at Beechwood Cemetery [280 Beechwood Ave., Ottawa ON]. Visitation will be held from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm followed by a service from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Burial to follow from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm for those who would like to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Renfrew in Renfrew  ON, or the Canadian Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated. Online condolences can be sent to Beechwood.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Marshall Matthews "Marsh" Blythe, CD (Ret’d), of Chilliwack BC, on 21 May 2022.

Marsh enlisted in the Canadian Forces with the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1957 and undertook his basic Field Engineer training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Vedder Crossing, BC. This was the start of a full career of more than 30 years as a Combat Engineer with a Combat Diver specialty.

Marsh's first posting was to 3 Field Squadron in Vedder Crossing and he was to eventually spend all but eight years of his career in Chilliwack either in the Squadron/Regiment or in Base Ops. Other postings included 1 Field Squadron (2 Combat Engineer Regiment) in Petawawa ON, 2 Field Squadron in Gagetown NB, and 4 Field Squadron (4CER) in Germany. Marsh was generally in the Unit Diving Section in these units. He had received his initial Combat Diving qualification on the first Combat Diver Land Force course in 1966 and had participated in the Combat Diver Trial in 1 Field Squadron. March's last posting was with 1 CER from where he retired after a tour as the curator of the Canadian Military Engineers Museum.

Funeral arrangements will be advised when known.

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Trapper Edward Simmonds, CD (Ret’d) of North Kingston, Kings County, NS, unexpectedly, on Tuesday, 17 May 2022 at age 60 in Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville.  

Trapper joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1982 as an Infantryman with the 2^nd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment and retired 32 years later as a Firefighter MWO with the Royal Canadian Air Force. During his career Trapper had many deployments including Norway, Cyprus, RIMPAC (the Rim of the Pacific Exercise) , Bosnia, Dubai and Kabul in Afghanistan.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Trapper’s life will take place at a later time.  Memorial Donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, Muscular Dystrophy or the Firefighter Burn Fund.  Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Master Corporal Donald Reiser, CD (Ret’d) at the Comox Valley Senior’s Village in Courtenay BC on 12 May 2022 at the age of 84 years.

Don was born in Winnipeg MB. He served in Royal Canadian Air Force as a Firefighter where his postings took him to many places in Canada such as Gimli MB, Moosejaw SK as well as Lahr Germany. His final posting brought him to the Comox Valley where he retired. Don was a lifetime member of the Courtenay Legion.

There will be a Poppy Service held on Tuesday, 17 May 2022 at 3:00 pm at the Courtenay Legion [367 Cliffe Ave. Courtenay]. In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s memory to the Alzheimer Society would be appreciated.

Nous avons le regret de vous informer du décès du colonel honoraire Raymond Giguère, CD (retraité), ing. à l'hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal QC le 8 mai 2022 à l'âge de 67 ans. Raymond était un ancien commandant et colonel honoraire du 34^e Régiment du génie de combat. 

Raymond est né à Québec et s'est enrôlé dans les Forces canadiennes en mai 1974 avec le programme de formation universitaire des officiers de la Force de réserve. Il a fréquenté l'Université Laval à Québec et a été affecté au 10^e Escadron du génie de campagne (aujourd'hui le 35^e Régiment du génie de combat) en tant que sous-lieutenant. Il a occupé divers postes au sein de l'escadron, notamment celui de commandant du cours de recrues, de commandant de troupe et d'officier des transports. Promu lieutenant en 1976, il poursuit ses études universitaires en génie physique et obtient son diplôme d'ingénieur de Laval en 1978. 

Raymond a été transféré au 3^e Régiment du génie de campagne (maintenant le 34^e Régiment du génie de combat), à Westmount en 1978 et a été promu capitaine. Il a occupé le poste d'officier des opérations jusqu'en 1982, date à laquelle il a été promu major et nommé commandant du 4e Escadron. En 1983, Raymond est nommé commandant adjoint du régiment. L'année suivante, il est promu lieutenant-colonel et commande le régiment de 1984 à 1988, date à laquelle il prend sa retraite des Forces canadiennes. 

Raymond a été rappelé au service en 1999 pour devenir commandant du 3^e Régiment du génie de campagne pour la deuxième fois (1999 - 2002), après quoi il a pris sa retraite des Forces canadiennes pour une deuxième fois. Le colonel Giguère a été nommé colonel honoraire du 34e Régiment du génie de combat en 2011 et a occupé ce poste jusqu'en 2015. 

Raymond a travaillé pour diverses entreprises au cours de sa carrière, dont Spar Aerospace, Bell Canada, Hewitt Equipment Ltd, Bombardier-Transport et Bombardier-Aéronautique. Il a travaillé chez Bombardier pendant plus de 20 ans et a occupé plusieurs postes de direction dans le service à la clientèle, la production, l'ingénierie de fabrication et la gestion de projet. Il a été chef de la fabrication avancée pour Bombardier-Aéronautique. Raymond était membre de l'Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. 

Entre autres postes au cours de sa carrière, Raymond a été vice-président de l'Association professionnelle des ingénieurs et scientifiques de Spar, vice-président de la Fédération des associations d'ingénieurs et de scientifiques, président de la section montréalaise de l'Association canadienne du génie militaire, président national de l'Association du génie militaire canadien. De plus, selon les opportunités, Raymond a fait partie de diverses organisations humanitaires au Canada ainsi qu'au Mexique. 

Les visites auront lieu à la Maison funéraire Collins Clarke MacGillivray White [ 222 Autoroute 20 Pointe-Claire, Québec ] le samedi 21 mai 2022 avec les funérailles à 15h00. Les condoléances en ligne peuvent être envoyées au salon funéraire. 

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Corporal Bruce "Gus" Martin (Ret’d) of LaSalle ON on 5 May 2022 at the age of 77 years. 

Gus served as a firefighter in the Royal Canadian Air Force. During his career he had postings in Canada that included Royal Canadian Air Force Station Moosonee ON and overseas with 3 Wing in Zweibrücken, Germany followed by Canadian Forces Base Lahr. After his retirement from the Canadian Forces, he became a Health, Safety and Environmental Coordinator for many years, eventually retiring from Gates Rubber Company. Gus was a member of the LaSalle Mariners' Yacht Club for almost 40 years and belonged to organizations that included St. John’s Ambulance and the Industrial Accident Prevention Association.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the LaSalle Mariner’s Yacht Club [2640 Front Rd., LaSalle] on Saturday, 14 May from 1-4:00 pm. A Memorial Ceremony will commence at 3:00 pm. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Henry “Harry” Berlet, peacefully on 3 May 2022 at Grand River Hospital in Waterloo ON in his 97^th year. 

Harry enlisted in the Royal Canadian Engineers during the Second World War at the age of 18 and fought in Northwest Europe with the 3^rd Division Engineers. After hostilities ceased, He remained in Germany with the Canadian Army Occupation Force until June 1946. Returning to Canada, after demobilization, Harry settled in Kitchener and married in 1949. He lived the rest of his life in the home he built in Kitchener.

Harry worked with the Waterloo County Board of Education in maintenance for 32 years. After retirement, he embarked on a new career building and renovating churches with Labour's for Christ. He was a charter member of Grace Lutheran Church where he served on the council and sang in the choir. Harry was a long-time member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 50 in Kitchener.

Visitation will be held at Erb and Good Family Funeral Home [171 King St. S., Waterloo] on Monday, 9 May from 2-4:00 & 7-9:00 PM. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, 10 May at Grace Lutheran Church [136 Margaret Ave., Kitchener] with a reception following immediately after. Interment will take place at Memory Gardens, Breslau. In Memoriam donations can be made to the Grace Lutheran Building Fund or to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 50 in Kitchener. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Master Corporal Russell Fillmore Teters, CD (Ret’d), peacefully on 29 April 2022 at home in Petawawa ON at the age of 59 years.

A native of Ottawa ON, Russell attended Woodroffe High School. He enlisted 1984 in Kingston ON and, after completing his basic training as a Plumber Gasfitter at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC, he was posted to Canadian Forces Base Kingston until 1994. This tour was followed by a short posting to Canadian Forces Base North Bay ON before he arrived at CFB Ottawa in 1995. Russell served next at CFB Trenton ON (1997– 02) before taking his release from the Canadian Forces as a Plumbing and Heating Technician. He transferred to the Supplementary Ready Reserve in 2004 and joined the Base Construction Engineers in CFB Petawawa ON for his second career as Plumbing and Heating Technician.

Russell had four deployments during his military career. He was on United Nations peacekeeping duties in Cyprus in 1989 and served three times with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in Syria (1997-98, 2001 and 2003).

Cremation has taken place. In memory of Russell, donations to C-PAN would be appreciated. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of  Sergeant Joseph Marcel Poirier, CD (Ret'd) on 16 April 2022 in Halifax NS, peacefully at age 68 years. Marcel started his military career as a Combat Engineer but later remustered to Loadmaster.

Marcel was from Chéticamp, Cape Breton NS. He enlisted in the Canadian Forces in 1973 and, served a varied 25-year career.  Upon successful completion of his recruit training at Canadian Forces Recruit School Cornwallis in Nova Scotia, Marcel was posted to Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC in 1974 for his basic Combat Engineering training. He was then posted to 1 Field Squadron in Petawawa ON (1974-77) where he deployed on UN Peacekeeping duties in Cyprus in 1974 and on the United Nations Emergency Force UNEF II in Egypt in 1976.

A posting to 4 Combat Engineer Regiment in Lahr, Germany followed in 1977 and Marcel remustered to Loadmaster at the end of this tour in 1981. After completing his Basic Loadmaster Course, he was posted to 1 Air Movements Unit in Trenton followed by 450 Squadron in Edmonton AB as a Chinook Loadmaster. During this time he had many trips to Canadian Forces Station Alert as a loadmaster on the Hercs. Marcel then returned to Germany with 5 Air Movements Unit in Lahr just before the base closed in 1994. He returned to Canada and Yellowknife YK for his last posting.

Marcel retired from the Canadian Forces in 1998 and relocated to Enfield NS. He then served with the Corps of Commissioners until his health began to decline. Marcel was a lover of fiddle music and was a skilled guitar player and singer. He loved playing for anyone and everyone and especially enjoyed the jamming group he joined later in his life.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will take place at Cole Harbour Funeral Home, 1234 Cole Harbour Road, Cole Harbour on July 23rd, 2022 from 2 to 4 pm. Burial of ashes at gravesite will take place in St. Joseph LeMoine, Cape Breton on July 30th, 2022 at 1 PM. A small luncheon to follow in Cheticamp. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association. Online condolences may be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Master Corporal Edward Patrick LeMee, CD (Ret’d) in Chilliwack BC on 16 April 2022 at age 77 years. Ed was first a Combat Engineer with a Combat Diver specialty who later remustered to Water Supply and Petroleum Oil and Lubricants Technician.

Ed served as a Combat Engineer with 3 Field Squadron in Chilliwack BC, 1 Field Squadron in Petawawa ON and 4 Field Squadron in Werl, Germany. He qualified Combat Diver in 1967 and as Diver Supervisor in 1975. Ed remustered to WSPol Tech in Chilliwack and, after retirement from the Canadian Forces, he worked as a supervisor at the CFB Chilliwack water plant as a civilian with Canada Lands. 

Funeral arrangements are private.

We regret to advise of the death of Chief Warrant Officer Avard Ronald Barker, CD (Ret’d) of Cole Harbour NS on 14 April 2022 at age of 88 years. Avard resided at Parkland at the Lakes in Dartmouth NS.

the r with the Canadian Military Engineers that spanned 33 years and took his family across Canada as well as twice to Europe. 

Visitation will be from 2-4:00 and 7-9:00 pm on Thursday 21 April in A. L. Mattatall Funeral Home  [ 217 Portland St, Dartmouth NS ] with a Memorial Service at 11:00 am on Friday 22 April in St. Alban’s Anglican Church [345 Pleasant St, Dartmouth]. A reception will follow in the church hall. Burial will take in Dartmouth Memorial Gardens. Family flowers only. Please make donations to St. Alban’s Anglican Church. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Tomasz Grzegorz Malinowski, CD (Ret’d) of Elie MB on 12 April 2022 at the age of 37 years.

Tomasz was born in Brzesko, Poland and enlisted in the Canadian Forces in 2006. He was a Plumbing and Heating Technician who had served with 17 Wing in Canadian Forces Base CFB Winnipeg MB since 2015 and he had also deployed to Afghanistan.

The family will receive friends at the George Darte Funeral Home & Cremation Centre (585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines ON ) on Sunday, 1 May from 2-4:00 and 6-8:00 pm. Vigil prayers will be held for Tomasz at 3:00 pm. Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Monday morning at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church (5 Oblate Street). Rite of Committal will follow at Victoria Lawn Cemetery. If so desired, donations made to Sick Kids Foundation in memory of Tomasz would be appreciated by his family. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home  

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Bruce John Smith, CD (Ret’d) in Medicine Hat AB on 10 April 2022, at the age of 74 years. 

Bruce was born in Edmonton AB and was a proud ‘Base Brat.’ He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1967 and started what was to be a 28-year career with the Canadian Military Engineers. He completed his recruit training that year at the Canadian Forces Recruit School at Canadian Forces Base [CFB] St-Jean QC.  Subsequent postings as a Construction and Maintenance Technician (Draftsman) included: CFB North Bay ON (1967-68), CFB Moose Jaw SK (1971-75), CFB Wainwright AB (1975-78), Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC (1978-82), CFB Shilo MB (1982-87) {during which time he was promoted to Master Warrant Officer in 1986}, CFB Suffield AB (1987-93) and back to CFB Wainwright, again (1993-95).

Bruce retired from the Canadian Forces in 1995. In his retirement years, Bruce spent his time woodworking, trying new recipes and he was an avid reader. He could also be found on the dance floor competing and teaching as a member of the Lone Star Dancers.

Bruce’s life will be silently remembered by family and friends without the proceedings of a formal funeral service. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Geoffrey Anthony Welsh (Ret'd) of Arnprior ON, suddenly on 8 April 2022 at the age of 72. Geoff served with the Canadian Military Engineers as a Field Engineer with 1 Airborne Field Squadron with the Canadian Airborne Regiment in Edmonton AB in the 1970s. He also deployed to Cyprus on United Nations peacekeeping duties in 1974.

Family and friends are invited to an informal drop-in visitation to be held at the Royal Canadian Legion, 49 Daniel Street North, Arnprior on Tuesday 19 April 2022 from 7 to 9:00 p.m. In memory of Geoffrey, please consider a donation to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 174, Arnprior. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal John Smith (Ret’d), peacefully on 6 April 2022 at his home in Barrie ON at the age of 80. 

John served with the Royal Canadian Engineers. After leaving the military, he worked for several organizations including as an usher at the original Montreal Forum and with Air Canada where he was an airframe technician.

A memorial service has taken place. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Royal Victoria Health Foundation – Barrie. Online memories and condolences may be forwarded to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Jack Nickle, CD (Ret’d) in Chilliwack BC on 6 April 2022 at the age of 82 years.

Jack served a full 32-year military career as a Field Engineer with the Canadian Military Engineers. His career started in Chilliwack BC and postings during his military career included 4 Field Squadron in Germany, with the Regular Support Staff in Sydney NS,1 Field Squadron in Petawawa ON, then back to Chilliwack in 1980. Following his retirement from the Canadian Forces, Jack was the Grounds Supervisor at Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack for 15 years. 

A celebration of life for Jack and his wife Lydia  will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, 17 July 2023 at the Legion in Vedder Crossing.  Condolences can be sent to The Chilliwack Progress.

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Kenneth Roy Guthro (Ret'd) of Walkerville NS, peacefully on 2 April 2022 at age 89, in the Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow NS. 

Born in New Glasgow, Kenneth enlisted in the Canadian Army at the young age of 17 and served with the Royal Canadian Engineers. His career included service in Korea with 3 Field Squadron and postings in Canada and Germany.

Ken was a sheet metal worker in Ontario and Nova Scotia for over 45 years following his retirement from the Canadian Forces. He was a skilled craftsman who enjoyed working. Ken was a very caring and generous man who wished to help people without recognition. 
 
In keeping with Kenneth’s wishes, his family will celebrate his life privately. Donations may be made in Kenneth’s memory to Priestville Cemetery. Online condolence can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Gary William Thompson, CD (Ret’d) on 2 April 2022 in Quesnel BC.

Gary was a Refrigeration and Mechanical Technician and retired as Mechanical Systems Technician. His service as a Canadian Military Engineer included an early posting to Canadian Forces Station Penold AB (1972-75) during which time he deployed on United Nations Emergency Force II in Egypt. Gary was also stationed in CFS Sioux Lookout (1984-87) and Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay (1989- 91).

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, 8 April at the Quesnel Royal Canadian Legion Hall {262 Kinchant Street}, followed by refreshments. Should you feel so inclined, you are welcome to make a contribution in Gary's honour to the Quesnel branch SPCA. Online Condolences can be sent to the funeral home. 

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper John William Uhrig (Ret’d) of Delta BC on  1 April 2014 at the age of 55 years. 

John enrolled in Burlington ON and served with the Canadian Military Engineers as a Combat Engineer with both Combat Engineer and Basic Parachutist specialties.  His career included postings to 1 Combat Engineer Regiment in Chilliwack BC, 4 Combat Engineer Regiment in Germany, and 4 Engineer Support Regiment in Gagetown NB. He also deployed to the Former Republic of Yugoslavia in 1992 on UNPROFOR (United Nations Protection Force). John was released from the Canadian Forces in 1994.

John’s funeral was held on 6 April 2022 in Delta BC.

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Edward John Brien, CD (Ret’d), at home in Chilliwack BC on 25 March 2022, just short of his 92^nd birthday, after a long illness.

Ed was born in Coachman’s Cove NL. He began his working life as a teenager and continued working well into his 70s. Ed enlisted in the Canadian Forces with the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1958 and served a full military career of 21 years as a Field Engineer. He spent much of his military career with 1 Field Squadron in Petawawa ON and in Germany with 4 Field Squadron.  After retiring from the Canadian Forces, Ed retired in Chilliwack and worked with the Public Service for another 12 years as a Correctional Officer at the Kent Institution.

He was an industrious, resourceful fellow who could repair almost anything and who firmly believed that “if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing well!” He had a wonderful sense of humour and was the happiest puttering in his garden, enjoying a game of Scrabble after dinner with Loretta, or clapping along at a Newfoundland-style kitchen party. Ed served St. Mary’s Parish of Chilliwack for many decades in various capacities including as head usher. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Parish on 1 April 2022 at 2:00 pm. Ed’s family is suggesting a donation to either the Canadian Lung Association or the Canadian Red Cross for the people of Ukraine. Online condolences can be sent to the Chilliwack Progress.

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Larry William Baillie, CD (Ret’d) in Bonaire (the Caribbean Netherlands) on 23 March 2022 at the age of 71 years. Larry was a well-known Combat Engineer, Combat Diver and Airborne Sapper.

Larry’s career with the Canadian Military Engineers included postings to our field units and the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering. He was a member of 1 Airborne Field Squadron in Edmonton AB during which time he deployed to Cyprus on United Nations peacekeeping duties. Larry also served in 1 Field Squadron in Petawawa ON in the early 1970s. He entered his Combat Diving specialty when he took the Shallow Water Diver Land Forces course in 1976 and later received Diver Supervisor qualification in 1984. He was the Field Engineer Instructor on several combat diver courses and attended several Exercise ROGUISH BUOYs.  Larry was an instructor at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in the 1980s, followed by a tour with 1 Combat Engineer Regiment Chilliwack where he led the Diving Section.

On retirement, Larry set up a dive charter business in Port Moody BC.  After five years, he moved the business to Bonaire in 1999 where he became known as “Captain” by the local fishermen. Larry initially worked for Bruce Bowker at the Carib Inn until he started his own business, Larry’s Wildside Diving, and opened up the diving on the east coast of Bonaire.  After his years of Combat Diving and his Port Moody venture, Larry had found his place and proceeded to log many more thousands of dives in very pleasant surroundings.  Larry was also the Managing Director for his wife’s JanArt Gallery for the past ten years.

Funeral arrangements will be notified when advised.

We regret to advise of the death of John Raymond Fiske in Halifax NS on 22 March 2022, just shy of his 96^th birthday. John served in the infantry during the Second World War but did not succeed in two attempts to get overseas.

Born in Clarence NS, John grew up on the family farm and lumber mill and attended high school in Annapolis Royal. After completing Grade 11, instead of returning to the farm, he became a surveyor's assistant at the HMCS Cornwallis. He eventually became a surveyor. 

With Canada at war in 1943 and at age 17, John presented himself at the Kentville Armoury and enlisted in the Canadian Army. For the next 20 months he trained to be an infantry soldier and became an instructor at his training camp in Yarmouth. He was on his way to board the ship in Halifax to go overseas when he and his fellow soldiers were taken off the train and shipped to the training base at Camp Debert NS. The war in Europe ended two weeks later. On 25 May 1945, John volunteered for the war in the Pacific and moved to Edmunston NB for more training. But the war in the Pacific ended while he was in Edmunston.

John was discharged from the Army In September 1945 and soon enrolled at Acadia University under the Canadian Officer Training Corps earning an engineering diploma two years later. He played varsity and became a member of the Acadia Hockey Honour Roll. John went on to Nova Scotia Technical College to earn his degree in Civil Engineering. 

John then worked for a time for the Nova Scotia Department of Highways as a resident engineer of construction. He left the department for a consulting position on what he thought was going to be the DEW Line (Distant Early Warning system) but instead, ended up in the requisitioning department which he did not like at all. Needing to return to Halifax for family reasons, he returned to Nova Scotia in 1956 where he became the Assistant Registrar of Motor Vehicles.  Under the auspices of the Traffic Division, he was able to graduate in Traffic Engineering from the Bureau of Highway Traffic at Yale University and went on to become Provincial Traffic Engineer. 

John laier received a Doctorate Degree in Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia (TUNS) and went on to complete many high-profile development projects, with land development becoming his strength.  He formed Stevens & Fiske Construction Ltd, was a founding member of Truefoam and was president and owner of Piercey's Supplies for many years.  

John was a visionary and had foresight like no other when it came to land purchases and concepts for future development. The highlight of his career was his launching the restoration of Historic Properties and Keith's Brewery in Halifax, a project that deeply enhanced the downtown core. His work provided an economic model that encouraged preservation and restoration in towns and cities throughout Canada. John received the Order of Canada in 1987 in recognition of his work in preserving heritage properties and the development of green spaces in Halifax, Annapolis Royal, and Ottawa.  

We regret to advise of the death of Master Corporal Andrew Brian Jackson (Ret’d), peacefully in his sleep on 18 March 2022 in Woodstock ON at the age of 36 years.

Andrew joined the Canadian Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers in 2006 and served his country for 12 years. After completing his Combat Engineer training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Canadian Forces Base Gagetown NB, he was posted to 4 Engineer Support Regiment (4 ESR) on that base where he served most of his career. During his tour with 4 ESR, Andrew became a Combat Diver. He served in Afghanistan in 2009 as a member of the Expedient Route Opening Capability (EROC).

Friends are invited to join the family at St. David’s United Church, 190 Springbank Ave., Woodstock on Friday 8 April 2022, from 2:00 - 4:00pm  and 6:00 - 8:00 pm, where the memorial service will be held in the Sanctuary on Saturday at 1:30 pm. Cremation has taken place. Attendees to the visitation and/or service are required to wear a face mask during their visit. Proof of vaccination may be asked as well.  

Memorial contributions to the Operational Stress Injury Clinic at Parkwood Hospital, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario or the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 55, Woodstock would be appreciated and may be arranged through the Brock and Visser Funeral Home, Woodstock (519-539-0004). On line condolences can be sent to the funeral home.
 

We regret to advise of the unexpected death of Corporal Ronald N. Parr, CD (Ret’d) on 13 March 2022 in Edmonton AB at age 60. 

Ron was from St. Catharines ON and enlisted as a Combat Engineer in 1981. After completion of his basic Combat Engineer training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering at Chilliwack BC, he was posted to 1 Combat Engineer Regiment where he spent much of his military career. In 1987 he was posted to 4 Combat Engineer Regiment in Germany and returned to 1 CER on completion of that tour.  Ron was with 1 CER in Edmonton AB when he retired from the Canadian Forces in 2016. During his career, Ron had multiple Operational Deployments that included Afghanistan, Cyprus, and three times in the Former Yugoslavia. Ron was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.

Ron worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator after he retired from the Canadian Forces with jobs that included route maintenance of the Ice Road in Northern Canada based out of Lac de Gras NWT. 

Cremation has taken place and memorial plans are pending.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper James Edmund Sinclair (Ret’d), peacefully at the Arnprior and District Memorial Hospital on 13 March 2022 in his 93^rd year.

James spent a 45-year career with McKay Cocker Construction (London) where he started as a carpenter and became a Superintendent. He also served with the Militia in the Royal Canadian Engineers for 13 years. Retirement saw James enjoying his family, travelling, building furniture, repairing items in his shop and helping with the White Lake Community Centre. 

Funeral arrangements are private. For those wishing, a donation to the Arnprior Regional Health Foundation or the Darling White Lake Community Centre would be appreciated. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper William Joseph Awalt, CD (Ret’d), of Halifax NS on 7 March 2022 at the Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Hospital in Halifax at age 91. William was a Korean War veteran of 23^rd Field Squadron (1952-53). He subsequently served in field squadrons in Canada and Germany and deployed to Egypt (1964-65) on United Nations peacekeeping duties with UNEF (United Nations Emergency Force). William also served in Camp Aldershot NS and with 6 Works Company in Halifax.

William enjoyed welding and mechanics and began his own company, B & D Welders, after he retired from the Canadian Forces. He was an active member of the Korean Veterans Association and several Royal Canadian Legion branches in the area as well as the Army, Navy, and Air Force Club. 

Visitation will be held in the Atlantic Funeral Home Sackville Chapel (125 Sackville Drive) on Monday, 14 March from 2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, 15 March at 1:00 PM. Burial in Oakridge Memorial Gardens. A reception will follow in the funeral home. Reserve your attendance at 902-864-1434 between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
No flowers by request. Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Online condolences may be sent to the funeral home.   
 

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Leading Aircraftman Brian Harvey Robbins (Ret'd), a resident of the Age Care Midnapore Home in Calgary AB, on 6 March 2022 at the age of 79 years. 

Brian was born in Regina SK and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in the early 1960s where he trained as a Firefighter in Camp Borden ON. His service included RCAF Station Portage la Prairie MB. Following his service, Brian began his career in the restaurant industry, starting at A&W  and followed by McDonald's and Long John Silvers…to name a few… before he moved to Calgary in 1979 with St Hubert’s BBQ. During these 20 years, the family moved to many cities in Canada. Brian’s career took another shift in 1985 when he began managing service stations for the next 17 years until his retirement in 2007.  

Retirement didn’t stop Brian from the need to stay busy and he started a new challenge as a school bus driver. Brian absolutely loved driving the big yellow bus and the kids loved their bus driver. He happily drove all four grandchildren on his bus at one time or another.

Brian was a runner and he participated in several marathons, including the New York City, Chicago, and Portland Marathons but his most memorable one was the 1993 Honolulu marathon. This was Brian’s first marathon and it was a huge accomplishment for him. In addition, Brian enjoyed his summers at the lake, boating and visiting with friends. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, 18 March 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Evan J. Strong Funeral Services (North) [3625 12 Street NE Calgary]. As an expression of sympathy in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Society. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Sergeant Gordon Robert Gark, CD (Ret’d) in Sarnia ON on 2 March 2022, his 78th Birthday.

Gord was a proud retired Royal Canadian Air Force Firefighter who served 20 years in uniform. His postings during his military career included the Canadian Forces Fire School in Canadian Forces Base Borden ON, and overseas in Germany with both 3 Wing at RCAF Station Zweibrucken and with 4 Wing at RCAF Station Baden-Baden.

Upon retiring from the RCAF, Gord was employed at Dow Chemical in Sarnia in the Fire and Security Department. He also spent many years farming and working in the Agricultural industry. 

Cremation has taken place. Family and friends will be received on Monday, 7 March 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home (1576 London Line, Sarnia). Those who wish to attend are asked to sign up at: https://signup.com/go/SKOhEaC. Interment will take place at Irwin Cemetery with a private family service. Sympathy may be expressed through donations to Wounded Warriors Canada (cheques only at the funeral home please). Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Master Corporal Alan Charles Mackenzie, CD (Ret’d) of Pictou NS on 2 March 2022 in the Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow NS at age 69 after a short but hard-fought battle with cancer. 

A native of Winnipeg MB, Alan served in the Canadian Forces for 25 years as a Firefighter with the Canadian Military Engineers. His military career found him on many bases across Canada that included Canadian Forces Base Edmonton AB, CFB Cold Lake AB, CFB Winnipeg MB, CFB Portage MB, on Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships and overseas at CFB Baden-Baden in Germany. 

After retiring in Winnipeg, Alan worked as a Fire Inspector with an insurance brokerage firm until his wife retired and they then relocated to her hometown of Pictou NS. In retirement, Alan was a strong supporter of the online Firefighter Forums.

Alan had a passion for life and always had a way of keeping himself busy, whether he was riding his motorcycle, building furniture or spending time with his dogs. He loved the outdoors and loved to fish so spent many years at campgrounds. Alan was creative and would often be drawing cartoons or writing songs. He spent countless hours at jam sessions throughout Pictou County.

In accordance with Alan’s wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation or service. Burial will take place at a later date in Haliburton Cemetery in Pictou NS and in Winnipeg MB. Donations in his memory may be made to Prostate Cancer, Wounded Warriors (1900-1500 West Georgia St., Vancouver BC, V6G 2Z6), or a charity of your choice. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.