We regret to advise of the unexpected death of Corporal Rodney Dean MacDonald of 17 Wing Detachment in Dundurn SK on 20 February 2021 at age 44.

Rodney was born and raised in New Brunswick and joined the Canadian Forces in 1996. He started his military career in as an electrician in the Navy in CFB Esquimalt. He had been serving aboard HMCS Protecteur in 2014 when the engine caught fire requiring all hands to battle the fire for 11 hours, in the dark without power in rough seas. Rodney transferred from the Navy shortly afterwards and was posted to Canadian Forces Communications Establishment in Kingston ON. He later remustered to Plumbing and Heating Technician in 2016 and completed his initial trades training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in CFB Gagetown NB.  His first posting as a Canadian Military Engineer was to Detachment Dundurn in 2017 where he worked with the Regional Properties Detachment in Dundurn before moving to Range Control in Dundurn.

Cremation has taken place and Rodney’s remains have returned to his family home of New Brunswick. A memorial service, to celebrate the life of Corporal Rodney MacDonald is being considered for Summer 2021. Online condolences can sent to the family at the funeral home.