CME Family Last Post

Our Last Post feature aims to notify colleagues of the passing of a comrade and to publish a short summary of their career and accomplishments to honour those who have served our country who died after 1 January 2000. As we receive news of the death of a member of the CME Family, we post an obituary along with funeral details and family wishes. We have done our best to ensure their completeness, with a focus on each person's service records and notable accomplishments.

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Displaying 1301 - 1350 of 2837

MWO Ross Aubrey Merrill, CD (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Ross Aubrey Merrill, CD (Ret’d) at Parkland Fredericton Retirement Living Community, Fredericton NB, on 24 February 2014 at the age of 83.

Ross was born in Tay Creek NB but moved to DeWolfe Corner NB where he lived until the age of 16. At this point, he moved to British Columbia to find employment in the logging industry where he worked for the next four years before returning home to New Brunswick. In 1951, he decided to join the Canadian Army as a field engineer in the Royal Canadian Engineers. For the next 26 years, Ross served in Chilliwack, 1 Field Squadron, Petawawa ON and 4 Field Squadron, Germany before taking retirement in 1977 and moving back to New Brunswick. A large and strong man, Ross set various military track and field records in the shot-put and javelin. After his retirement, through the1980s, Ross worked for the New Brunswick Forestry Department supporting private woodlot owners.

Visitations will be at the S.O. Mehan & Son Funeral Home, 23 Main Street, St. Stephen, NB on 8 March. Interment will be at Moores Mills Cemetery, Moores Mills, NB. Donations may be made the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of one's choice. {gdMar2016kh}

Sgt John 'Jack' Reasbeck (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant John "Jack" Reasbeck (Ret’d) of Espanola on 19 February 2014 at Health Sciences North in Sudbury ON in his 80th year. Jack served in the Canadian Forces for 26 years from 1953 to 1979.

Jack was born in Chapleau QC and enlisted in the Army in 1953 He was under basic training in preparation for deployment overseas for the Korean War when recovery from an accident t required considerable rehabilitation. When he recovered, Jack was sent to Sussex, NB, with the Black Watch Regiment and was stationed there until 1956. The next year he transferred to the Royal Canadian Engineers and was sent to Chilliwack, BC, for his training. His Sapper Career was to be a combination of Field Engineer, Heavy Equipment Operator, and Airborne. In 1958 Jack deployed to the Middle East as part of the UNEF Suez peacekeeping force. He returned to Canada to 1 Field Squadron in Petawawa during which tour he also became Airborne-qualified. Jack then went to Germany with 4 Field Squadron 1967-70.

Upon return to Canada, Jack was posted to the radar base at Falconbridge for a four- year tour. During this tour he was also sent to the eastern Arctic to work on the Northern Airfields project. In 1974 Jack was transferred to CFB North Bay and then took his release at the end of that tour. Jack returned to Espanola and worked for the Town of Espanola until 1985. He and his wife the purchased a store in Whitefish Falls and operated it for 8 years.

Jack was always involved with his community. He served on the Whitefish Falls and Espanola Fire Departments and he was an active member of the Espanola Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 39 holding the title of Service Officer. He served as past president and as chair for many committees for Branch 39. Jack also started the Espanola and Manitoulin Legion Army Cadet Corps in 1980 and assisted with the leadership until 1984. Jack was also an active member of the War Pensioners.

Funeral Mass was held on 22 February at St. Jude’s Church in Espanola. Interment of ashes in the Espanola Cemetery will be at a later date. If so desired, Memorial tributes may be made to St. Jude Memorial Fund or the Espanola Hospital Foundation or the charity of your choice.

 

Maj Edgar Gilbert, CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Major Edgar Gilbert, CD (Ret’d) at the hôpital St-Sacrement in Quebec City, QC on 17 February 2014 at the age of 92 years.

Major Gilbert was a former Commanding Officer of 10ième Escadron du Génie de campagne in Quebec City from 1961 to 1965.

A religious service will be held, in the presence of the ashes, on 8 March at 2:00 pm in the St-Charles Garnier Church in Sillery, QC where the family will receive condolences an hour before the service.  Burial of ashes will be at the Francois-de-Laval Mausoleum in Belmont Cemetery. {gdjul2018dc} [zcc, zsp]

Spr Peter Jacques Grisdale (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Peter Jacques Grisdale (Ret’d) on 13 February 2014 at the West Parry Sound Health Centre in Parry Sound ON at age 94.

Peter was born in Penetanguishene ON. He was a veteran of the Second World War and served in the Italian and Northwest European campaigns with the 14th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers.

Peter was the eldest Métis in the Moon River Métis Council when he received their highest honour: The Order of Métis Nation Veteran Recognition. Peter had established the Veteran’s Memorial Cenotaph in Wood’s Bay to honour the Veterans of the Moon River area. He took a deep interest in the Moon River and Blackstone Harbour areas and conducted educational tours for students working for the Ministry of Natural Resources. Peter also initiated the Deer Feeding Program in the Woods Bay area. Peter was a lifetime member of the Parry Sound Anglers and Hunters, Parry Sound Pistol Club and Ducks Unlimited. In his later years, Peter wrote and published My Life on the Moon River: The Silent Nighthawks of the 14th Field Company of the R.C.E. 1st Division reporting his life in and around the Moon River area and his experiences as a Sapper.

A celebration of Peter’s life and the honouring of his accomplishments will be in the spring at the Wood’s Bay Cenotaph. 

Richard John Carrier

We regret to advise of the death of Richard John Carrier on 10 February 2014 in Provost, AB at 62 years of age after a brief battle with cancer.

Rick was raised in Prince Albert and attended school there until 1963 when the family relocated to Saskatoon. He continued his education in Saskatoon and, in 1970, wanting to find his way, Rick joined the military. Rick became a Field Engineer after completion of his Basic Sapper training in Chilliwack but, after 10 years in this trade, he decided to re-muster to become an electrician. During his military career Rick was stationed at CFB Chiliwack, CFB Shilo, CFB Moose Jaw, CFB Suffield and, as a final posting, back to CFB Shilo where he retired in August of 1995. Rick and his family chose to make their new home in Killam, AB.

Upon retirement Rick began to work at the Sedgewick Co-op Building Centre. He worked there until 1997 at which time he joined the John Deere Dealership team in Killam as a partsman. 2011 brought the opportunity for advancement in his career as a Parts Manager at the Provost store. He continued to grow with this company until he could no longer physically return to his duties.

Funeral Service is on Saturday, 15 February 2014 at 2:00pm at New Hope Gospel Church in Provost, AB.

 

Sven Ivor Edbom

We regret to advise of the death of Sven Ivor Edbom peacefully in Winnipeg MB on 7 February 2014 at the age of 96. 

Sven was born in Piney MB and lived there until the onset of World War II, when in June of 1940, he enlisted in the army with the Royal Canadian Engineers.  He served overseas in England and continental Europe.

After the war, Sven worked on construction until his early 50s at which time he went to work for Manitoba Hydro in their Maintenance Department.  He worked for them until his retirement at age 65.  Sven was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion St James Branch #4 in Winnipeg as well as the Independent Order of Foresters (IOOF).

A memorial service will be held on 11 February 11at 1:00 p.m., at St. Pierre Bible Fellowship Church, 488 Lavoie Avenue in St. Pierre Jolys MB.

Donation may be made to Deer Lodge, Tower 7: 2109 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, MB or a charity of one's choice. {gdOct2016kh} 

L/Cpl David Sneddon Burrows

We regret to advise of the death of Lance Corporal David Sneddon Burrows (Ret’d) of Grande Prairie AB on 6 February 2014 at the age of 89 years.

In 1927, his parents emigrated from Scotland with twelve children and settled 20 kilometres east of Grande Prairie AB in Glen Leslie where they purchased farmland. David attended the Somme School from 1931 to 1939 at which time he worked on the family farm.
David was a veteran of the Second World War. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Engineers on 14 October 1942 in Grande Prairie. He trained in Edmonton at the Prince of Wales Armouries until December 1942 and was then posted to A6 Canadian Engineer Training Centre in Chilliwack BC. He remained there until September 1943. After posting to Hamilton ON and Camp Debert NS, he sailed for England as part of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division Engineers. He landed in Normandy on D-Day and served throughout the Battle of Normandy and into the Low Countries. He was discharged in 1945. David met and married his wife in England. They settled in Grande Prairie and David quickly got a job driving a horse-drawn milk wagon and later at Imperial Motors. They returned to England in 1956, but later divorced. David returned to Grande Prairie. 

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, 12 February 2014 at 2:00 PM at Oliver’s Funeral Chapel. In memory of David, memorial donations may be made to Grande Prairie Hospice Palliative Care Society (P.O. Box 21215 Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6W7). David is buried in the Glen Leslie Cemetery.

A Family Tradition of Service
One of David’s brothers, Alex, served in the Loyal Edmonton Regiment through Sicily and onto the Italian mainland. He was badly wounded at Ortona in December 1943 and returned to Canada in the summer of 1944.

Another brother, George was a gunner. He too was wounded. He spent from September 1944 until April 1945 in hospital re-joining his regiment two weeks before the war’s end. George later served in Korea, leaving the Army in 1959.

A third brother, Hector served in the Italian and Northwest European theatres with the Calgary Tanks.

A fourth brother, Thomas served in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps during the war. After falling ill in England in 1941, he returned to Canada and served at the Suffield Experimental Station until the end of the war. A fifth brother, Bill, served in the Royal Canadian Navy on both coasts from 1942 until the war ended.
 

Spr Herbert “Herb” A. Spring (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Herbert “Herb” A. Spring (Ret'd) peacefully at Lakeview Manor, Beaverton ON, on 6 February 2014 in his 91st year. 

Herb was a former resident of Highland Creek, Coboconk and Lindsay ON.  He was a veteran of WW II who served with the Royal Canadian Engineers.  In civilian life, he was a long-time employee of Canada Post. 

There will be a private memorial service later.  Donations may be made to Beacan Presbyterian Church in Beaverton or Melville Presbyterian Church in West Hill ON.  Online condolences may be made at www.parkerfuneralhome.ca. {gdMay2016kh}

Sapper Dick Poole

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Dick Poole (Ret'd) in Williams Lake, BC on 2 February 2014.

Dick joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1954. After completing his Recruit Training in Chilliwack he served with 1 Field Squadron in Germany (1955-57). On return to Canada, Dick left the military and followed a career with the railway that saw him working in several locations around BC until he settled in Williams Lake.

At request there will be no funeral service. In Memoriam donations can be made to the Hough Memorial Cancer Society (see: HoughMemorial.org/donations/ ).

Donald York

We regret to advise of the death of Donald York at home in Petawawa on 2 February 2014 in his 71st year following a courageous battle with cancer.

Don was a retired Construction Maintenance Technician.

Friends are invited to share their memories of Don with his family during visitation at the MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 296 Isabella Street, Pembroke on Wednesday 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. A Service to celebrate Don's life will be held on Thursday morning February 6 at 11 o'clock in All Saint's Anglican Church, Petawawa followed by cremation. Spring Interment in All Saint's Anglican Cemetery. In memory of Don, donations to the Renfrew County SPCA would be appreciated.

Spr John "Jack" Gray (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper John “Jack” Gray (Ret’d), peacefully, on 30 January 2014, in London, ON, in his 93rd year.

A WW II Royal Canadian Engineer veteran, Jack served with the 2nd Battalion R.C.E. in the liberation of France, Belgium and Holland. He was an architectural draughtsman when he enlisted in June 1940 with “B” Coy of the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Engineers and was on his way overseas in two months. Until they embarked for France on 26 July 1944, his unit worked In England on a large number of construction and accommodation projects for the Canadian Army.

Upon landing in France the battalion was involved in the reconstruction of the devastated Carpiquet Airport and the building of the by-pass road around the city of Caen. Their final challenge in France was the construction of the bridge over the Seine at Rouen. When this was completed by the end of September, the Battalion moved rapidly into Antwerp, Belgium.

After the war Jack was a founding partner of the land surveying company, Archibald, Gray and MacKay (AGM) of London. Upon retirement, he devoted much of his time in support of Canadian veterans and in travelling to England, France and Holland to celebrate the major national anniversaries of Liberation in 1994-95 and 2004-05.

Jack was a leader in holding together the veterans of the 2nd Battalion RCE. He travelled across the country to visit members of the group individually, often when they were too ill or financially unable to attend group events. Despite ailing health, he celebrated the 60th anniversary of D-Day in France in 1944 on Juno Beach with three generations of his family.

Friends will be received by the family from 2 to 4pm and 7 to 8pm on Sunday, 2 February 2014 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. The funeral service will be conducted at Elmwood Avenue Presbyterian Church, 111 Elmwood Avenue, London, on 3 February 2014 at 2pm. Cremation. A legion service under the auspices of Pooley Legion Branch No. 167, Exeter will take place at the funeral home at 6:30pm on 2 February 2014. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson Society, 4500 Blakie Road, Unit 117, London, N6L 1G5 or the Memorial Fund of Elmwood Avenue Presbyterian Church, 111 Elmwood Avenue, London, N6C 1J4.

Ed John Pyke

We regret to advise of the death of Ed John Pyke who passed away at London Health Sciences-University Hospital on 30 January 2014 at the age of 58 years.

A former Combat Engineer and Construction Technician, he was a CE Contracts Inspector at 22 Wing North Bay who dedicated over 30 years working for the Canadian Armed Forces.

A memorial service will be celebrated at the 22 Wing Chapel (29 Sterling Ave) on Friday, 7 February at 12:00 noon. A gathering will follow at the All Ranks (Blue Room) from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Interment will take place in Glace Bay NS in the summer of 2014. Donations to the London Health Sciences- Transplant Unit would be gratefully appreciated by his family. A Service to celebrate Don's life will be held on Thursday morning February 6 at 11 o'clock in All Saint's Anglican Church, Petawawa followed by cremation. Spring Interment in All Saint's Anglican Cemetery. In memory of Don, donations to the Renfrew County SPCA would be appreciated.

Spr William “Bill” Edwin Hebb (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper William “Bill” Edwin Hebb (Ret’d), peacefully, in the South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater, NS on 29 January 2014 at the age of 85.

Bill was born in Lunenburg, NS.  He was a WW II veteran who served with the Royal Canadian Engineers. 

Visitation will be on 2 February from 7 to 9 PM at Sweeney's funeral home in Bridgewater. Funeral service will be held 3 February at 11 AM at the Bridgewater United Church.  A private family interment will be in Brookside Cemetery, Bridgewater.  Donations may be made to the Bridgewater United Church or the Kidney Foundation of Canada. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.  {gdDec2016kh} [zsdkh]

L/Cpl Harold Warden Trude (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Lance Corporal Harold Warden Trude (Ret'd) peacefully at home in Lakefield, ON on 28 January 2014 at the age of 96.

Harold was a WW II veteran who joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1940 and served overseas in England, landed at Normandy on D-Day, fought through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany until 1945.  He was a proud holder of the D-Day Invasion Medal awarded by the Normandy Veterans Association.

Harold was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #77, Lakefield, holding his 65-year pin. 

A celebration of life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #77, Lakefield on 15 February from 1:00 – 4:00 PM.  Donations may be made to the Hospital for Sick Children.  Condolences to Harold’s family may be made at www.hendrenfuneralhome.com.  {gdDec2016kh} [zcc, zsp]

Delbert A. Robinson

We regret to advise of the death of Delbert "Del"  A. Robinson  on 26 January 2015 at the age of 82 years. Del served a full career with the Canadian Forces. He started his career with the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1958 as a Field Engineer and later became a Heavy Equipment Operator with the RCE. He later transferred to the Mobile Support Equipment Operator trade and retired in 1980. After retirement Del worked with the Ontario Provincial Police.

Respecting Del's wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation at the Malcolm, Deavitt & Binhammer Funeral Home , 141 Renfrew St., Pembroke on Friday, 30 January 2015 from 7 to 9:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held in the Chapel on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society’s Wheels of Hope Program would be appreciated. {khMay2016}

Spr Richard Mansel Ballance (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Richard Mansel Ballance (Ret'd) suddenly on 24 January 2014 at his home in Merrickville, ON at the age of 72 years.

Richard served in the Royal Canadian Engineers.  He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #245 in Merrickville.

A funeral service will be held at the Lannin Funeral Home in Smiths Falls, ON on 28 January with interment to take place later in the spring in Merrickville.  Donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association or Heart & Stroke Foundation.  {dcJan2017gd} [zpi, zsp, zsd, zcc]

Spr James "Jimmy" Powaschuk (Ret'd)

We regret to advice of the death of Sapper James “Jimmy” Powaschuk of Swift Current SK on Sunday 5 January 2014 at the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre Veterans' Unit in Regina, SK.

James was born in Mozart, SK. He attended school in Rushville and worked on the family farm south of Wynyard. He joined the Canadian Army in 1950 and served in Korea with the 23rd Field Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers from 1952-53. His brother served in the Artillery.

James let the Army in 1953. He moved to Swift Current in 1957 with his new wife Cecile Maria St. Jean. He worked for SaskPower as a diesel mechanic and worked his way up to become a Superintendent of several power stations. He retired in 1988.  He enjoyed his work tremendously although it often kept him away from home.

James was a member of Royal Canadan Legion and a very hard working member of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Swift Current. He enjoyed playing his guitar and banjo and spending time with his family. He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 in recognition of his many contributions to his community.

A funeral service will be held at Warren's Funeral Home, 126-2nd Ave in Swift Current on Friday, 10 January at 11:00 AM with interment will follow at the Veterans' plot in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Lunch will follow at St. Stephen's Anglican Church, next door to the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Diabetes Association or Kidney Foundation of Canada. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to all the dedicated staff at Wascana Rehabilitation Centre Veterans' Unit for their compassionate care and support. Arrangements entrusted to Warren's Funeral Home. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.warrensfuneralhome.com.

David Joseph Hynes

We regret to advise of the death of David Joseph "Iron Man" Hynes on 31 December 2013 at the age of 54 after a courageous battle with cancer.

David Hynes was born in Port au Port, NL and had served with the Canadian Forces in both the Royal Canadian Artillery and the Fire Services. Former Fire Chief David Hynes served with Canadian Natural Resources and, most recently, ATCO Electric Edmonton

A Celebration of David's Life will be held on Monday, 6 January 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Memories Funeral Home, 13403 St. Albert Trail, Edmonton, AB. Memorial donations may be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation at 710, 10123 - 99 Street, Edmonton, AB, T5J 3H1. http://www.albertacancer.ca

Archie Garth Douglas-Hecker

We regret to advise of the death of Archie Garth Douglas-Hecker on 29 December 2013 at the Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay, ON at the age of 93 years.

Archie was a Royal Canadian Engineer veteran of the Second World War and served in the 1st Field Squadron. He was a member of the Sir Sam Hughes Branch #67 of the RCL in Lindsay.

Visitation will be held at the Mackey Funeral Home from 7:00 – 9:00 PM on 2 January 2014 with the funeral services in the chapel on 3 January at 11:00 AM.  Comrades of the Royal Canadian Legion are asked to assemble at the funeral home prior to the service at 10:45 AM.  A private interment will take place at St. John's Cemetery, Kirkfield, ON in the spring.  Donations may be made to the Salvation Army or Ross Memorial Hospital.  Online donations and condolences may be made at www.mackeys.ca . {dcJan19gd} [zsd, zcc, zpi, zsp]

Capt Allan John Cameron (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Allan John Cameron in his 92nd year on 28 December 2013.

A graduate of the Royal Military College (B.Sc. Military Studies) and the University of Toronto (B. Com), he served overseas as a Captain with the Royal Canadian Engineers during World War II. After the war Al spent his career in the field of human resources in Toronto, Montreal and Halifax – retiring as the Director of Staff Relations at Dalhousie University.

A private family service will be held on 11 January 2014. Donations to the Salvation Army or Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation in Al’s memory would be gratefully appreciated.

Captain James Wilbert "Jim" Gregson (Ret'd)

We regret to advise that Captain James Wilbert "Jim" Gregson (Ret'd) passed away suddenly in Kitchener ON on 28 December 2013 at the age of 77 years.

Jim was born in Kenora, ON and joined the RCAF in 1954 as an Aircraftsman and served his entire career as a Firefighter. During his career he was stationed three times in Europe and at numerous locations within Canada. He retired in 1991 at the rank of Captain as a Fire Chief.

The family will receive friends at the Weaver Family Funeral Home - West Chapel, 170 Dundas Street, Trenton on Thursday, 2 January 2014 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm and on Friday, 3 January from 1:00 - 2:00 pm. Funeral Ceremony will follow on 3 January in the West Chapel at 2:00 pm. Cremation to follow. Interment to take place at a later date in Mount Evergreen Cemetery. Donations to the National Air Force Museum of Canada, Trenton or to the King Street United Church would be appreciated by the family.

Maj Howard Milton Gibson, CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Major Howard Milton Gibson, CD (Ret’d) on 24 December 2013 in London,ON at the age of 87 years.

Howard was born in Toronto. He was a veteran of the Second World War who joined the Canadian Technical Training Corps as a boy soldier and then transferred to the Royal Canadian Engineers.  He served overseas but saw no action.  After the war, Howard completed university and joined the Army Permanent Force with the Royal Canadian Engineers. He served  in various Works Companies across Canada and retired from the Army in 1959. After retirement, Howard had a full career as a Professional Engineer and an Ontario Land Surveyor.

A memorial service will be conducted at the Westview Funeral Chapel in London at 1:00 PM on 30 December with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Interment of ashes will be at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in memory of Howard are asked to consider Homes Unlimited (London) Inc.   Online condolences can be made at www.westviewfuneralchapel.com   

Arthur Teale

We regret to advise of the death of Arthur Teale at home in Victoria BC on 24 December 2013 at the age of 91.

Born in Calgary AB, Arthur attended Western Canada High School and apprenticed as a machinist and tool and die-maker for the Canadian Pacific Railway at the Calgary Ogden Shops.  He served in WW II with the Canadian Railway Troops, Royal Canadian Engineers in Belgium and Holland.  After demobilization, he returned to work for the CPR followed by careers working for the University of Calgary and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary.  He retired to Victoria BC.

Visitation and Memorial Reception will be held at McCall's Funeral Home, 1400 Vancouver Street, Victoria on 3 January.  Donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.  Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.{gdFeb2016kh}

Major Sedley Bell-Irving Sweeny, MC (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Major Sedley Bell-Irving Sweeny , MC (Ret’d), Royal Engineers, on Cortes Island, BC on 19 December 2013 at the age of 96. 

Sedley was born in England into the influential Bell-Irving family of British Columbia and followed a military career in the footsteps of his father, six uncles and his mother, who was as a battlefield nurse in the Great War.  His father, Major Sedley Fleming Campbell Sweeny, RCE saw service in the Great War and served in the RCE during the Second World War commanding the 6th Field Company, RCE in North Vancouver prior to their deployment to the United Kingdom.

Sedley was educated at the Shawnigan Lake School near Victoria, BC and St. George’s School in Vancouver, BC before attending the Royal Military College in Kingston, ON.  He graduated in 1939 and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers and joined the British Army in France.  He was evacuated from Dunkirk as part of Operation DYNAMO in 1940.  He then returned to the continent in a mission to disable the port facilities in Cherbourg, escaping with only the clothes on his back.  Sedley served with the British 8th Army, 501 Field Company Royal Engineers from El Alamein in Africa, onwards through Sicily, Italy and Greece.  He was awarded an immediate Military Cross by General Alexander, the Commander-in-Chief of Mediterranean Forces, for valour at the Garigliano River crossing in Italy in January 1944.

In 1946 after the war, Sedley was posted to Canada and had a three-year attachment with the A-6 Canadian Engineer Training Centre in Chilliwack, BC in what was the precursor to the Royal Engineer Exchange Officer program at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering which officially started in 1949.  He returned to England in 1949 and served as a Squadron Commander at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, followed by a tour with the British Army of the Rhine in Germany.

Sedley retired in 1957, bought a farm in Wales, and for next thirty years devoted his energies to sustainable land management, self-sufficiency and the welfare of marginalized people. He managed an orphanage for Tibetan refugee children in Simla, India on behalf of Save the Children Fund.  He was president of the British Self-Sufficiency Association and author of a book entitled “The Challenge of Small Holding” (Oxford 1985 as Sedley Sweeny).  In 1987 he retired to Cortes Island on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.  He was a strong supporter of Cortes community initiatives including an emergency first aid and ambulance service; the Friends of Cortes Association; the Cortes Eco-Forestry Society (in conjunction with the Klahoose First Nation) and The Cooperation For Cortes Self-Sufficiency.

Sedley was buried in Whaletown, Cortes, BC.  

William “Bill” John Erwood

We regret to advise of the death of William “Bill” John Erwood peacefully at the George Derby Veteran’s Centre in Burnaby, BC on 17 December 2013.

Bill was born in 1921 in Vancouver and grew up there.  Bill was a WW II veteran having joined the Army in 1939 as a Sapper in 6th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers.  In June 1941, he transferred to the 3rd Field Park Company, Royal Canadian Engineers, part of the 3rd Division Engineers, while the unit was still in Camp Debert NS and he deployed to Europe in August of that year.  3rd Field Park Company was to support the Allied advance through France, Belgium and Holland.  After the war, Bill worked as a surveyor.  

Service and internment will be held on 10 January 2014 at Victory Memorial Park, 14831 28th Avenue, South Surrey, BC.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Canada. {gdMar2016kh}

Sgt Wayne Boudreau, CD

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Wayne Boudreau of Kanata ON, on 6 December 2013 at the Kingston General Hospital at age 45.

Born in Saint John NB, Wayne showed an interest in the military when he joined Air Cadets at age 13. He enrolled in the Canadian Forces in 1986 and became a Geographics Technician.

The family will be receiving relatives and friends at Cobb’s Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 330 Whitepine Rd., Riverview, NB on Wednesday 11 December from 1400 - 1600hrs and 1900 - 2100hrs with the sharing of memories and parish prayers taking place at 2030hrs at the Funeral Home. The Mass will take place from Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Thursday 12 December at 1100hrs. interment will follow in Alderwood Cemetery.

Donations made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the memorial of the donor’s choice would be greatly appreciated by the family.

Cpl Neil Bernard McKinnon, CD (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Corporal Neil Bernard McKinnon, CD (Ret'd) of North Sydney NS on 30 November 2013.

Neil was born in Cambridge ON. During his high school years, he was a member of the 21 Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada Army Cadet Corps in Cambridge. Was a skilled athlete and played AAA hockey in the Tillsonburg Ontario Minor Hockey Association. Before joining the Regular Force, Neil served in the Cape Breton Highlanders in Sydney. During his recruit training at CFB Cornwallis, he received an honourable mention for Skill at Arms.

Neil trained as a Firefighter and spent much of his career at CFB Greenwood, NS. In 2000, he was very badly injured while responding to an on-base house fire. Trapped on the upper floor of the house, Neil suffered severe lung damage and he broke bones when he jumped to the ground.

Neil left the Forces soon after and returned home to Cape Breton. Despite his injuries and suffering from PTSD, his desire to continue serving his community compelled him to offer his services to the North Sydney Volunteer Fire Department. This passion to serve and protect was a reflection of his career choice and lifestyle. His courageous personality formed the basis of his life and his dedication to his family was steadfast. Neil died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after 13 years of continued public service.

Visitation for Neil will be held from 2 until 4 PM and from 7 until 9 PM on Wednesday 4 December in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. A funeral mass celebrating his life will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday at St. Joseph Church, North Sydney. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Nova Scotia Firefighters Burn Treatment Society, P.O. Box 481, Dartmouth Main, Dartmouth, NS, B2Y 3Y8, phone 902-835-0166.

David Maxwell Boutilier

We regret to advise of the death of David Maxwell Boutilier on 29 November 2013.

David was born in Halifax in 1924 and enlisted during WW II with the Royal Canadian Engineers. He arrived in England in 1942 and joined the 33rd Field Company, RCE in the UK. David landed with the 2nd Canadian Division in Normandy on I July 1944 and served in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany as a dispatch rider until the end of the war. After the war, David re-enlisted in the Canadian Army, retiring in 1966.{khMay2016}

Sgt Derrick T. Manning, CD (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Derrick T. Manning (Ret'd) , Shell Albian Sands' Emergency Response Supervisor on 27 November 2013 in an Edmonton palliative care unit at the age of 51.

Following a career in the Canadian Forces as a Firefighter, Derrick joined Albian Sands Energy Inc. in 2002 as the Emergency Response Coordinator. He was among Shell Albian Sands' longest-serving employees and became Fire Chief in 2008. His work on improving mine rescue capabilities within the plant and mine teams was highly regarded. Derrick led Albian’s team to high honours in successive mine rescue competitions, capped off by taking first place in the 2013 provincial competition. Derrick was an exemplary leader in the protective services of his site, the industry and his community.

MWO Eugene "Geno" R. Sharpe, CD

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Eugene "Geno" R. Sharpe, CD on 26 October 2013 at age 54.

Geno had a full career as a Combat Engineer where he was also the Senior Serving Combat Diver with over 30 years of combat diving experience, an Armoured Engineer, and  an experienced Counter-Improvised Explosive Disposal Operator.

Geno grew up in Harry`s Harbour NL and enrolled in the Canadian Forces at the age of 17 in 1977. After completing his basic Field Engineer training he was posted to 1 Combat Engineer Regiment Chilliwack. After that tour, in 1980 he was posted to 4 Combat Engineer Regiment in Lahr Germany - returning to 1 CER as a Section Commander in 1984. In 1985 Geno was posted back to 4 CER for 8 years and was employed in positions from Section Commander through to Recce Sergeant and Squadron Operations Sergeant. He also deployed on a UN tour with UNPROFOR in Croatia in 1992.

The next year he returned to Canada to 4 Engineer Support Regiment Gagetown where he sequentially filled the positions of Regimental Intelligence Sergeant, Resources Troop Recce Sergeant, Resources Troop WO, Field Troop WO, Chief Instructor of the Armoured Engineer School and Regimental Operations Warrant Officer. While in 4 ESR Geno returned to Croatia for a short tour, deployed for the Ontario/Quebec ice storm, deployed as a diver for the Swiss Air crash, and to Port au Prince, Haiti in 1997 for six months during which he received a CDS Commendation for his work on a diving operation.

Geno was then posted to 44 Field Engineer Squadron in Trail BC from 1999 to 2004 as the Regular Support Staff Warrant Officer. He then returned to CFSME where he was Sergeant Major of the Army Combat Diving Centre of Excellence. He was promoted to MWO in 2006 and then posted to 1 CER in Edmonton as the 12 Field Squadron Sergeant Major. During this tour, he took his squadron to Afghanistan in 2008 on operations with the 2 PPCLI Battle Group. Upon returning from that tour he was appointed 1 CER HQ Squadron Sergeant Major. The following year Geno was posted as the Engineer Operations MWO of Joint Task Force West of Land Forces Western Area HQ. In 2010 he was posted to Land Forces Central Area Training Center in Meaford, ON as the Company Sergeant Major of Echo Company and, later, Charlie Company.

Geno retired from the Regular Force in June 2012 after 35 years of service and transferred to the Primary Reserve as Company Sergeant Major with 2nd Battalion Royal Newfoundland Regiment in Corner Brook, NL.

Viewing for family and military members is Thursday afternoon, 31 October at the Springdale Funeral Home, 57 Little Bay Rd in Springdale, NL. The Funeral Home is open to the public Thursday evening. Funeral will take place at 2:00 pm on Friday 1 November at the United Church in Harry`s Harbour, NL. There will be no graveside service but there will be a small reception at the church following the ceremony.

Maj. Roderick E. ''Roddie'' MacDonald, CD (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Major Roderick E. ''Roddie'' MacDonald, RCE (Ret'd) on 24 October 2013 at the Ottawa General Hospital at the age of 96.

Born in Florence NS, Roderick was a graduate of Acadia University (1939) and worked briefly in the lab at the Sydney Steel Plant after graduation. With the onset of World War II, Roddie joined the Army and served in the Royal Canadian Engineers in Sicily, Italy, and the liberation of Holland. After the war Roderick commanded No. 1 Radiation Detection Unit through the early 1950s including their participation in Allied and Commonwealth nuclear tests in Nevada and Australia, and played a part in developing much of the dosimeter, radiation detection and safeguard technology in use today.

A celebration of Roddie`s life will be held in Ottawa at the Perley & Rideau Veteran`s Health Care Centre in Lupton Hall at 10:00am on Saturday, 2 November. A memorial service for the interment of ashes will be held in Sydney NS at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Perley & Rideau Veterans Health Centre Foundation, the Ottawa Hospital Foundation, or the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal.

Ignace Rosen

We regret to advise of the death of Ignace Rosen peacefully on 18 November 2013 in Edmonton, AB at the age of 92 years .

Ignace was a veteran of the Second World War who served with the Royal Canadian Engineers.  In civilian life, Ignace worked for Canada Post where he had a long career. 

A Memorial Service will be held at Glenwood Funeral Home, south of Wye Road on Range Road 232, Sherwood Park, Edmonton on 21 November at 2:00 PM.  Donations may be made to the Capital Care Foundation for the Kipnes Centre for Veterans in Edmonton.  {gdApr2017dc} {zsd, zsp]

L/Sgt Fred Doroshenko (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Lance Sergeant Fred Doroshenko (Ret'd) at Parkwood Hospital in London ON on 15 November 2013 in his 93rd year.

Fred was born in Poland (Belarus) and emigrated to Canada with his family in 1929. With the outbreak of WW II, Fred joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1939 at 18 years of age. He saw action overseas with 7th Field Company throughout WW II - he was wounded at Dieppe and later landed in Normandy fighting through France, Belgium, the Liberation of Holland and eventually into Germany by the war’s end.

After the war, Fred returned to Canada and worked briefly at Westminster Hospital in London. He then joined Empire Brass Company where he worked until his retirement. Fred was a proud life member of the Royal Canadian Legion, joining in 1946 and holding numerous positions at Byron-Springbank Branch #533. He also provided long-time leadership to the RCE Sappers Association in London.

A memorial service will be conducted at the Westview Funeral Chapel, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, on 19 November 2013 at 3:00 p.m., with visitation one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in memory of Fred are asked to consider the Byron-Springbank Legion’s Poppy Fund.

Sgt Russell Louis Pyett (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Russell Louis Pyett, on 15 November 2013, at the age of 87 years.

Russell was a veteran of both WWII and the Korean War.

A Celebration of Life will take place at the Church of the Nazarene (West Park), 3920 57 Avenue, Red Deer, on Wednesday, 20 November at 1:00 p.m. Donations in Russell’s name may be made directly to The Children’s Wish Foundation, 271, 339 50th Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 2B3, or to a charity of your choice.

MWO Gary Keene, CD (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Gary Keene, CD (Ret`d) at home in London, ON on 23 October 2013 after a lengthy battle with Leukemia.

Gary was a proud member of the Canadian Armed Forces who retired as a Construction Maintenance Technician at the rank of Master Warrant Officer after a 29-year career. Garry started his career with the Canadian Military Engineers as a Field Engineer and later re-mustered to the Construction Trades. His career included postings in 4 Field Squadron Lahr, GE, Winnipeg MB and London ON and he was half-way through a six month tour to Bosnia when he suddenly became blind. He returned to Petawawa, where he took his release and settled in London.

Visitation will be held on Sunday. 27 October from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Westview Funeral Chapel, 709 Wonderland Road, London, ON, where the funeral service will be conducted on Monday, 28 October at 1:30 p.m. Private family interment of ashes at Appin Cemetery. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Gary are asked to consider the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind or a donation of blood. {khMay2016}

MWO Gerald Henry Hamilton, CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Gerald Henry Hamilton, CD (Ret’d) on 22 October 2013 in his 81st year at Riverview Health Center in Winnipeg.

Born in Preston ON, Jerry took his initial Sapper training in Chilliwack at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering and then served a full 28-year career as a Canadian Military Engineer. Among his postings, he had a couple of tours at CFSME as an instructor and served in the Field Squadrons in Petawawa and Germany. Jerry was Regimental Sergeant Major of 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, Petawawa, (1978-79). He was also the Canadian Exchange Warrant Officer at the Royal School of Military Engineering for two years. On his return to Canada from England he was posted to 1 Construction Engineering Unit in Winnipeg. He was appointed Station Warrant Officer at CFB Goose Bay. After retirement from the Canadian Forces, Jerry worked for ten years as a Mines Inspector for the Province of Manitoba.

A memorial service will be held at the Chapel of the Good Shepard, 17 Wing, Building 94, Whytewold Road and Silver Avenue, Winnipeg on Sunday, 27 October at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. {khApr14}

Spr Douglas Fenton Biggs (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Douglas Fenton Biggs (Ret’d) in Bridgewater NS on 19 October 2013 at the age of 89 years.

Douglas was a veteran of the Second World War who served with both the infantry and the Royal Canadian Engineers.  He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Bridgewater Branch #24.{gdMar2017dc}[zsd, zcc, zpp, zbd]

Spr Michael Barich (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Michael Barich on 18 October 2013 at the Terraceview Lodge in Terrace, BC at the age of 92 years.

Michael immigrated from Croatia with his family at an early age.  His father soon died in a paper mill accident and Michael was left to care for his mother and younger sister. In 1942, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Engineers and saw action in France, Belgium and Holland.  After the war, Michael worked at the Spruce Falls Pulp and Paper Company in Kapuskasing, ON.  On retiring, he moved west to Grande Prairie, AB to be close to family.

Interment of ashes will be held at the Spirit River Catholic Cemetery on 17 May 2013 at 11:00AM.  Following the interment, a time of fellowship will be held at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church Hall in Rycroft, AB. 

Jacques Marie Joseph Dupont

We regret to advise of the death of Jacques Marie Joseph Dupont on 18 October 2013.

Jacques was born in Castor AB in 1920 and grew up on the family farm at Fenn, AB. He was a self-taught welder, mechanic, carpenter, plumber, electrician, veterinarian, and farmer. Jacques received his military training with the Royal Canadian Engineers during WWII and saw service in Nanaimo BC, Chilliwack BC, Port Alberni BC, and Calgary AB.

A Prayer Vigil will be held at the Christ-King Catholic Church on 23 October 2013 at 7:00 P.M. with the Mass Of Christian Burial taking place on 24 October 2013 at 2:00 P.M. As an expression of sympathy and in memory of Jacques, memorial contributions may be made to Stettler Home Care, Stettler Health Services Foundation – Heritage House or to Catholic Missions Canada in care of Brennen Funeral Home and Cremation Services P.O. Box 193 Stettler, AB TOC 2LO.

Spr George L. Fortnum (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper George L. Fortnum (Ret'd), peacefully on 16 October 2013 at the Parkwood Hospital in London, ON in his 94th year.

George was born in London, ON.  He was a veteran of the Second World War serving with the Royal Canadian Engineers. After training in Canada he shipped to England in September 1940 and served as a driver and engineer with the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, Headquarters Royal Canadian Engineers until 19 August 1942 where he was involved in Operation JUBILEE, the Dieppe Raid on the French Coast.

During the Dieppe Raid, he drove a jeep full of high explosives onto the beach to breach the defences and allow the tanks to proceed.  By the time he landed, the tanks were already stuck and the attack had been stopped.  George was taken prisoner and was marched from camp to camp in France, Germany and Poland remaining a POW until the end of the war in 1945.  After the war, he was quarantined with tuberculosis for another year before returning to Canada.

George was a life member of the Royal Canadian Legion Byron-Springbank Branch #533 in London, ON.  He was very active in educating the youth on the war effort.  He was also quite involved with his Retired Veterans sapper associations and the Military Engineers Association of Canada. George was the Royal Canadian Engineer representative in the Official Party for the 2002 Pilgrimage to France to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Operation JUBILEE.  

Prior to the war, George had worked as a butcher.  After the war, he went to work for the service department of Soft Water Supply Limited where he spent the rest of his working days in the soft water conditioning industry.

Visitation will be held on 18 October from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 PM at the Westview Funeral Chapel, 709 Wonderland Road North, London.  A funeral service and Royal Canadian Legion service will be conducted on 19 October 2:00 PM at the chapel. Cremation will follow and a private family interment of ashes will take place at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London at a later date.  Donations may be made to the Royal Canadian Legion (Elevator Fund), Branch 533, Byron Springbank, or the Veteran’s Care and Comfort Fund (St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation).  Online condolences may be made at www.westviewfuneralchapel.com. {dc/gdJan2017kh} [zpp]

Sgt John William Halliwell (Ret`d)

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant John William Halliwell (Ret`d) on 15 October 2013.

John was born in Birmingham, England and immigrated to Canada in 1946. He joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1955 in Ottawa and his career included postings to Kingston ON, Whitehorse NWT, and Chilliwack BC. After retiring in 1966 John lived in Delta BC for 23 years and worked in the Vancouver area for DND, Department of Indian Affairs and the CIBC as Premises Inspector for BC. Upon retiring from CIBC in 1990 John made his home in Cowichan.

Private Services will be conducted later. Donations may be made to the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation.

Kenneth “John” Upton

We regret to advise of the death of Kenneth “John” Upton, peacefully, at Caressant Care Nursing Home, in Lindsay, ON on 9 October 2013 at the age of 92.  

John was a WW II veteran who served with the Royal Canadian Engineers in Europe from 1941- 1945.  He landed on Juno Beach and saw action in France and Holland.

Visitation will be held at Oshawa Funeral Home, 847 King Street West on 26 October from 1:00 p.m. until time of Celebration of Life in the Chapel at 2:00 p.m. Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of one’s choice.{gdDec2016kh} [zcc, zsp]

Maj Karl Erik Snider, CD (Ret`d)

We regret to advise of the death of Major Karl Erik Snider, RCE (Ret`d) on 8 October 2013 at age 85.

Karl served a full career with the Canadian Military Engineers, retiring in the early 1970s from his appointment as RCE Officer Career Manager and going to work with the Public Service in the Treasury Board.

A Celebration of Karl`s life will be held on Friday, 11 October at the Pinecrest Remembrance Chapel (2500 Baseline Road, Ottawa) at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow at the Pinecrest Reception Room. Donations to the Ottawa Heart Institute would be appreciated.

WO Robert Wayne Pennell, CD (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Robert Wayne Pennell, CD (Ret`d) on 7 October 2013 at Cascade Hospice in Chilliwack at the age of 66 years. Robert was a Sapper Apprentice from the 12th Intake of Sept 1963.

Robert's first posting was with 1 Field Squadron Petawawa during which tour he deployed to Egypt in 1967 on UNEF peacekeeping mission. Upon return to Petawawa in 1968 he took his release but rejoined in 1970 and was posted to 3 Field Squadron Chilliwack. Robert deployed on his second UN tour in 1973 to Cyprus following which he was posted to 4 Field Squadron in Germany for a three-year tour and then returned to Canada to 3 Field Squadron.

While in 3 Field Squadron Robert remustered to Carpenter. During the Construction Engineering phase of his career he was first posted to the Construction Engineering Section at Wainwright, AB in 1978 followed two years later by Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake, During this posting he participated in his third UN tour – this time to the Golan Heights. During the period 1982-89, Rob was at CFB Chilliwack - first with the Base Construction Engineering Office and then with the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering. Following this, he was posted 1 Construction Engineering Unit in Winnipeg for three years and then back to CFB Chilliwack as the Construction Engineering Detachment Commander in Jericho Beach (Vancouver). In 1996 Rob retired as a Warrant Officer with over 31 years’ service.

Memorial services will be held for Robert at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 280, Vedder Crossing on 21 October 2013 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Hospice Society.{khMar2016}

MWO Leslie A. “Knobby” Walsh, CD (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Leslie A. “Knobby” Walsh, CD (Ret`d) on 6 October 2013, at the age of 88 years.

A long-time resident of Ottawa, Knobby served his Country for over 45 years. Born in Belfast, Ireland, he emigrated to Bathurst, NB at the age of four. He enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1943 at age 18 and trained as a boy soldier with the Canadian Technical Training Corps. He joined the Royal Canadian Pay Corps in 1945 and then came to the Army Survey Establishment in 1947 to become a surveyor.

During his Mapper career, Knobby visited such exotic locales as the Yukon, northern British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories as an axe-man, booker and assistant packer. He was a member of Army Survey Establishment’s first horse-mounted survey party. Later in his career he became a photogrammetrist. MWO Walsh took his release from the Canadian Forces in 1969 and then started a Public Service career. He served in such diverse capacities as In Charge of Aerial Triangulation, the Digital Implementation Group and Head of Comp 2. Knobby retired as a DD8 in January 1991 but returned in December of that year and remained with the unit October 1992 as an AS3 to help with the Mapper portion of Volume III of the History of the RCE. For many years after his retirement, he was a volunteer in his community.

There will be no memorial service. Friends and relatives wishing to further honour his memory may make donations to the Alzheimer Society or the Alzheimer's Day-Away Program.

Frederick Albert McLeod

We regret to advise of the death of Frederick Albert McLeod at Victoria Hospice in Victoria BC on 5 October 2013 at the age 95 years. Fred was an RCAF veteran of the Second World War. He continued to serve with the RCAF as a Construction Engineering officer after the war.

Fred was born in Trail BC and grew up in Vancouver BC. During the Second World War, he flew with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force in Canada and overseas as a Signals Officer and Squadron Signals Leader with the Husky Squadron No. 437. His last official flying operation was with the Russian Air Force out of Berlin immediately following the end of the war. 

After the war, Fred worked and studied as an architect who specialized in hospital design. He re-joined the RCAF in 1953 as a Construction Engineering officer and served in the Directorate of Construction Engineering Design at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. One of his principal responsibilities was Project Officer for the design of the National Defence Medical Centre in Ottawa. He was appointed Senior Engineering Officer in 1960 and accepted the hospital on behalf of the commanding officer the next year.

After his retirement from the RCAF, Fred returned to his former architectural firm of Thompson, Berwick and Pratt and worked on the planning of the University of British Columbia Health Sciences Centre. Fred and his family next moved to Victoria where he joined the University of Victoria Campus Planning Department and remained with them for 17 years. 

Fred enjoyed boating, fishing and traveling for many years. He also loved to play golf with many friends at the Cowichan Golf and Country Club. Fred was an active computer buff and Amateur Radio Operator (VE7FBW) who belonged to the Victoria New Horizons Amateur Radio Club, The Short Wave Club, the Western Amateur Radio Association, and the Royal Air Force Amateur Radio Society. Fred was also a member of the British Columbia Maritime Museum and the British Columbia Aviation Museum as well as the Vancouver Island Air Crew Association. Another hobby of Fred's was woodworking in his well-equipped workshop. 

By Fred's request there will be no funeral service. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

 

Capt David Wylde, CD

We regret to advise of the death of Captain Dave Wylde on 30 September 2013 at the Miramichi Hospital at the age of 57. Dave served the Canadian Military Engineers for more than 34 years as a Combat Engineer and Heavy Equipment Operator, retiring at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. His service career highlights include service with the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering, 2 and 4 Combat Engineer Regiments and he was Regimental Sergeant Major at the Peace Support Training Center in Kingston. After retirement Dave served as a Class A member of North Shore New Brunswick Regiment in Miramichi.

There will be no funeral service. A memorial service and wake/celebration of Dave's life will be held on Thursday 3 October from 1400hrs to 1900hrs at Davidson's Funeral Home, 597 Old King George Hwy, Miramichi, NB. Memorial donations can be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

WO Roy Gerard O'Meara, CD (Ret`d)

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Roy Gerard O'Meara (Ret`d) on 25 September 2013 in Edmonton, AB at the age of 58 years.

Roy was a Firefighter who retired from the CAF in December 2000 at CFB Edmonton after 27 years of service.

A Christian Mass of Burial will be held on Thursday, 3 October 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Onoway, AB with cremation to follow. A Celebration of Roy`s Life will be held at the Onoway Community Hall immediately following the Funeral Mass. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to the Cross Cancer Institute, 11560 University Avenue, N.W., Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2.

Cpl John “Jack” Purdy Lane, CD (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal John “Jack” Purdy Lane (Ret`d) at home on 16 September 2013 at age 61 years.

Born in Moncton, NB, Jack served much of his 15-year Military Engineer career as a Heavy Equipment Operator with 22 Field Squadron in Camp Gagetown

Visitation will be held at the Oromocto Funeral Home on Wednesday, 18 September 2013 from 7 to 9 pm. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #93 will hold a tribute at 7 pm. A memorial service will be held at the Oromocto Funeral Home Chapel at 12:00 pm on Thursday, 19 September 2013. Donations in Jack`s memory can be to the Oromocto SPCA or to a charity of the donor`s choice.

Clifford Mansel “Cliff” Woodley

We regret to advise of the death of Clifford Mansel “Cliff” Woodley on 14 September 2013 at the Kamloops Seniors’ Village at the age of 96 years.

Cliff was born in Edmonton AB.  He, along with three brothers and a sister, joined the Canadian Army and served overseas during the Second World War.  Cliff served with the Royal Canadian Engineers in Italy and Northwest Europe.  After the war he worked for a long time in Hinton, AB.  Cliff was a founding member and past president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #249 in Hinton.

Those wishing to pay their respects by viewing may do so in the Schoening Funeral Chapel in Kamloops on 20 September from 12:30 to 1:30 PM.  A Celebration of Clifford’s life will follow in the chapel at 2:00 PM and interment will take place in the family plot at Hillside Cemetery.  A reception will follow at the Army, Navy, Air Force Veteran’s Club, #9 – 177 Tranquille Road in Kamloops.  Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to a charity of one’s choice.  {dcMay2018gd} [zsd, zcc]