We regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant Colonel Charles Eugene "Gene" Hawkins, CD, P.Eng. on 16 March 2005 at his home in Mississauga on 16 March 2005.

Gene served the Canadian Military Engineers for 33 years in various Canadian locations and in Germany. Commissioned in 1966, his first tour was with 2 Field Squadron in Camp Gagetown (1966-69). After attending the US Army Engineer School Advanced Engineer Officer Course, he had tours with 3 Field Squadron and the Base Construction Engineering Office in Chilliwack. Promoted to Major after completing the Army Staff in Kingston 1972-73, Gene then consecutively commanded the Base Construction Engineering Office in CFB Petawawa (1973-76) and 2 Combat Engineer Regiment (1976-78). He was then appointed Chief Instructor at CFSME 1978-81 followed by Base Chilliwack Operations Officer in 1981.

Gene joined the Directorate of Military Engineering Requirements in Ottawa upon promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel, .Following that tour,  Gene was the Senior Staff Officer Construction Engineering for Canadian Forces Europe (1986-90). Upon completion of this appointment, he returned to Canada as the Director of Base Maintenance at National Defence Headquarters and then Director of Military Engineer Requirements. Gene retired in 1992 to become the Manager of Facility Services for the City of Mississauga (1992-97).

The family celebrated Gene's life at a Memorial Service on 19 March 2005 in the Chapel of the Neweduk Funeral Home - "Mississauga Chapel." In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to the Carlo Fidani Peel Regional Cancer Centre at Credit Valley Hospital or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.