We regret to advise of the death of Master Corporal Rex Jeffrey Glacer, CD (Ret’d), suddenly on 19 April 2025 at Wasaga Beach ON at the age of 69 years.
Rex started his military career with the Naval Reserve, then transferred to the Army Regular Force as a Field Engineer, and finally as a Photographic Technician with the Air Force.
Rex was born in Vancouver BC in 1956, shortly after his parents immigrated to Canada from West Germany. At seventeen, Rex enlisted in the Canadian Naval Reserve with HMCS Discovery in Vancouver. During his enlistment, he completed basic and trades training, followed by a Pacific Rim naval tour.
Rex transferred to the Regular Force in 1974, completing his basic Field Engineer training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering at Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack. Upon completion of this training, he marched across the street to the then 3 Field Squadron. Rex participated in all facets of Squadron training, including winter warfare training at Chilcotin, Wainwright and those long hauls to WainCon and back. In addition, he was a participant when the Squadron was called to Aid to the Civil Power in 1976 and 1977 at the B.C Penitentiaries during the prison guard strikes. In 1976, he volunteered for the Basic Parachutist Course and was subsequently posted to 1 Airborne Field Squadron in Edmonton. After a short stint, Rex was posted back to 3 Field Squadron in Chilliwack.
When his enlistment commitment was up, Rex took his release from the Canadian Forces and did a short tour of civvie street before re-enlisting. He was then posted to 22 Field Squadron in Gagetown, where he participated in RV 81 as OPI for the division's water point.
Rex remustered to Photographic Technician with the Air Force in 1985. After completing six months of trades training at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace and Ordnance Engineering at CFB Borden, his first posting in his new trade was to the Canadian Forces Photographic Section, where he worked in Camera Operations and the Printing Section. He was next posted to Canadian Forces Base Downsview ON, in 1990 as Second-in-Command of the Photographic Section of the Defence and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine. After two years, he was slated for a move to CFB Cold Lake, but declined the move and took his release from the Canadian Forces.
Upon release, Rex used his photographic skills to open a successful photography business in Barrie, ON, specializing in portraiture. He was also a member of the Canadian Military Photographers Association. Always open to new challenges, Rex became a landscaper and a trucker.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Rex’s memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Beagle Rescue Ontario - two causes close to his heart. A celebration of Rex's life took place on 16 July 2025 at the Royal Legion in Wasaga Beach.