CME Family Last Post

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Carman A. Gainer (Ret'd) at the Milton District Hospital, Milton ON on 5 April 2008 ten days short of his 82^nd birthday.

Carman was a WW II veteran who served with the Royal Canadian Engineers.  Following his demobilisation, in 1946 he joined the Canadian National Railway where he enjoyed a 36-year career as a locomotive engineer.  After leaving the CNR he worked with Standard Bred horses and as a volunteer with the Canadian Red Cross and Canadian Cancer Society.

Visitation will be at the McKersie-Kocher Funeral Home, 114 Main Street, Milton from 2 - 4 p.m. and 7 - 9 p.m. on 8 April.  A Funeral Mass will take place at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 139 Martin Street, Milton on 9 April at 11:00 a.m.  Donations may be made to the Milton District Hospital Foundation or the Willow Foundation for the enhancement of the quality of life of seniors and disabled adults in the Halton ON Region, (www.willowfoundation.ca). Letters of condolence may be left for the family at www.mckersie-kocher.ca. ^{{gdJul2016kh}}

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Abram Waldner (Ret'd) of Nipawin, SK on 5 April 2008 at the age of 87 years.

Abram was a veteran of the Second World War and served in the Royal Canadian Engineers. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion in Nipawin. ^{{dcmar17}[zsd, zcc]}

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant John Mackesy (Ret'd) on 2 April 2008.

Born in London, England in 1915, his military affinity started early in life as the son of QMS John Mackesy, Royal Engineers, who served in South Africa, Boer War, the majority of WW I in the trenches of France and Belgium and then with the Chief Engineer's Staff in Cologne, Germany. John joined the British Territorial Army as a boy of 17 and served briefly with the Royal Corps of Signals. He later joined the British regular army in the mid-30's as a gunner in the Royal Horse Artillery and saw service in Singapore and Aden. Returning to England, John was a police constable in Southend, England and was mobilized on the outbreak of war and taken into the Royal Engineers where he served in 1 Stevedore Company, RE [British Expeditionary Force] in Brest, France from 1939 until evacuation during Dunkirk in 1940. During WW II due to his prior police experience he was demobilized from the Royal Engineers and enlisted into MI5 (counter espionage) where he served the remainder of the war. Post-war, John returned to the Southend Police force.

In 1953 he answered the call from Canada for former British soldiers to join for the Korean War and joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in England. He never did get to Korea but served with 1 Field Squadron, RCE that included the Squadron's tour in Werl, Germany from 1955 and the subsequent relocation to Petawawa in 1957. John stayed with the Squadron until 1961 at which time he was posted to the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering, Chilliwack. He retired in 1965 as a sergeant while at RCSME.

After retirement, John re-located to Richmond and worked for a number of years at the University of British Columbia. He retired from UBC to became a "Snowbird" - RV'ing to Arizona for a number of years and finally settled on Vancouver Island.

We regret to advise of the death of Basil Belchuk, peacefully on 23 March 2008 in Windsor, ON at the age of 90 years.

Basil was a Second World War veteran who served in the Royal Canadian Engineers.  He was a Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion Windsor Branch #594.

Visitation will take place at Families First Funeral Home & Tribute Centre, 3260 Dougall Avenue, Windsor on 25 March 3:00 – 5:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 PM. A Royal Canadian Legion Veteran's Memorial Service will take place at 8:00 PM.  Donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.  ^{{dcJan2017gd} [zsp, zsd, zcc]}

We regret to advise of the death of Captain James Alister Grant Campbell (Ret’d) peacefully on 12 March 2008.

Born in 1922 in Cornwall, ON, he served with the Black Watch and the Royal Canadian Engineers during WW II after which he joined the Reserves in the Intelligence Corps and retired with the rank of Captain.

After the war James entered the University of New Brunswick to study forestry but switched to law at the University of British Columbia where he graduated in 1952 with a law degree and moved to Ottawa, ON to work as an Assistant Crown Attorney.

In 1958, at age 35, James was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Stormont ON riding, becoming , at that time, Canada's youngest ever Member of Parliament. As an outspoken backbencher, he championed trade and defence issues.

After leaving politics James moved to Almonte, ON where he established a rural legal practice in neighbouring Carleton Place. From 1975-87 he was a member of the Ontario Municipal Board, presiding over planning, zoning and land compensation claims.

In 1996, James retired in the historic village of Williamstown, ON. ^{{gdSep2015kh}}

We regret to advise of the death of Leading Fireman Samuel Denis “Sam” Posten on 12 March 2008 in the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre, Veterans’ Unit in Regina SK at the age of 93 years.

Sam was born and raised in Regina. He was a veteran of the Second World War and after serving in the Regina Rifle Regiment from August 1940 until May 1942, joined the Corps of Canadian Firefighters.  With no previous firefighting experience, Sam was taken on strength in June 1942, with the rank of Junior Fireman. In August, he was posted to Station 19A-1L in Plymouth, England for basic training. By December 1942, he had completed his training and was attained the rank of Fireman. He was promoted to Senior Fireman in June 1943 and to Leading Fireman a year later. Sam spent most of his time in London and Plymouth fighting fires through the Blitz and subsequent German bombing.

Sam returned home to Canada and worked as proprietor of the Lindsay Lucky Dollar Store in Regina. He later joined the custodial staff at the University of Regina and later served with the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires at the Regina Armoury and HMCS Queen.

A Celebration of Sam's life will be held on Saturday 15 March at 2:00 PM in the Chapel at the Wascana Hospital in Regina. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sam’s memory to the Veterans' Unit 3-6 Wascana Rehab or to a charity of your choice. ^{dcMar20kh}

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Robert James Foster (Ret’d) of Dundas, ON at the age of 89 years on 11 March 2008.

Robert was a veteran of the Second World War and served in the 33^th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers.  He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Valley City Branch #36 in Dundas.

Robert is buried in the Grove Cemetery in Dundas Ontario ^{{dcJan19gd} [zsd, zcc, zpp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Master Corporal Pierre Morin, CD (Ret'd) in hospital after a long illness in Chicoutimi QC on 10 March 2008 at the age of 56.

Pierre was born in Montmagny QC and enrolled in the Canadian Forces in 1974 at Quebec City QC. After graduating from Recruit School in St-Jean QC and completing his basic Fire Fighter training at the Canadian Forces Fire Academy, Borden ON, he was posted to Canadian Forces Base Bagotville QC in 1976 where he served five years in the Bagotville Fire Department.  This was followed with a two year posting aboard HMCS Skeena out of CFB Halifax NS and then he returned to Bagotville for a second tour of four and a half years. In 1989 he was posted to CFB North Bay ON Fire Department as a Deputy Platoon Chief and Fire Inspector.

In 1994, Pierre took his release from the Armed Forces under the 20/40 Retirement Plan and settled in Ville-de-la- Baie QC. He joined the Air Reserve at 3 Wing Bagotville in 1995 and was employed as a fire prevention officer.  Pierre served a total of 30 years.

Visitation will be held on 13 and 14 March at Salon Gravel &Fils Funeral Home, 873 de la Fabrique Road in La Baie.  A funeral service will take place on 14 March at St-Alphonse Church across from the Funeral Home.  Donations may be made to “Fondation de Ma Vie” Foundation, Haematology-Oncology department, Chicoutimi Hospital.  ^{{gdJul2016kh}}

We regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant Albert Leslie “Les” Brown, BSc(Ret') at the Toronto Western Hospital in Toronto ON, on 9 March 2008 at the age of 89.

Les was born in New Liskeard ON and his family survived the great Temiskaming ON fire of 1922. He attended Public and High School in New Liskeard and graduated from Queen’s University in Kingston ON in 1943 with a BSc in Civil Engineering.  He is a veteran of WW II having served with the Royal Canadian Engineers.  After the war Les joined Ontario Hydro retiring in 1976 to Cavan ON near Peterborough before finally moving back to Toronto in 2003.

A Memorial Service will be held on 5 April at Kingston Road United Church, 975 Kingston Road, Toronto. Visitation will be before the service.  Cremation and private interment will take place. Donations may be made to the Queen's University Student Financial Assistance Fund, Kingston ON, K7L 3N6, or to a charity of one’s choice. ^{{gdMar2016kh}}

Albert's brother Sidney served in the Infantry during the Second World War.

Ken (Red) Redman, former RCE Heavy Equipment Operator passed away in Chilliwack on 5 March 2008.

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Frederick “Fred” Samuel Bland (Ret’d) peacefully on 5 March 2008 at Alexander Place in Waterdown, ON in his 88^th year.

Fred was a Second World War veteran who served in the 2^nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Engineers.  He was a Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #551 in Waterdown, Life Member of the War Amps of Canada, a member of the Masonic Lodge #357 and an Honorary Member of the Rameses Shrine Temple in Scarborough, ON.  He was President of the Scarborough Baseball Association and served as an Alderman in Ward Six in Scarborough for many years before he retired to the Waterdown area in 1980.

There will be a private cremation and interment in Mount Hope Cemetery, Toronto, ON.  Donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.  ^{{dcFeb2017gd} [zpp, zsd, zcc]}

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Osborne Ross “Sonny” Totten (Ret’d) of London, ON peacefully at Parkwood Veterans Hospital on 5 March 2008 at the age of 93 years.

Sonny was born and raised in Forest, ON.  He was a veteran of the Second World War. He enlisted in the Army in November 1939 and served six years in the Royal Canadian Engineers seeing action in Italy. He was hospitalized three times during the war and returned home with seventeen pieces of shrapnel still in his body. His Army career was tumultuous and he claimed being promoted to sergeant three times and reduced back to Sapper each time. He was discharged in November 1945. 

After the war Sonny returned to Forest and went to work for the federal Department of Agriculture as a fruit and vegetable inspector. He started a new career in 1958 as a successful insurance agent and businessman in Forest.  After retiring, he moved to London, ON.  Sonny was active in many community organisations including the St. James Presbyterian Church, the Forest Rotary club and the Royal Canadian Legion Forest Branch # 176 where he was a Life Member and served as president. He was also a coach and supporter of many sports teams in the Forest area.

Visitation will be held at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd at Parkwood Hospital in London on 7 March from 2:00 to 3:00 PM followed by a celebration of life.  Private interment will take place at a later date. Donations may be made to Veteran's Care Fund, c/o St Joseph's Health Care Foundation, London or to a charity of one’s choice. ^{{dcNov2017gd} [zpp, zsd]}

We regret to advise that Sapper George Wellington "Well" Ditmars (ret'd) passed away peacefully on 4 March 2008 at the age of 94, while living at Camp Hill Veterans' Memorial Building, QEII, Halifax.

Well served overseas 1943-1946 during the Second World War with the 2^nd Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers in England and France. After his military discharge, he worked for almost 30 years at CFB Cornwallis as a machinist, carpenter and locksmith. In his spare time, he built two beautiful sailing boats and replica antique clocks.

A funeral service will be held in Jayne's Funeral Home, Digby, on Friday, 7 March at 10:30 a.m. Burial to follow at the Old Saint Edward's Cemetery, Clementsport. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Camp Hill Memorial Garden c/o QEII Foundation, 1278 Tower Road, Bethune Building, Room B04, Halifax, NS B3H 2Y9.

We regret to advise of the death of Hector Peters Aby Vedan peacefully on 4 March 2008 after a lengthy illness.

A member of the Williams Lake Indian Band, Hector was born in Clinton, British Columbia in 1923. He attended the Cariboo Indian Residential School at St. Joseph's Mission, worked in the Williams Lake area and played junior and senior hockey in Clinton and Williams Lake. In 1940, at the age of seventeen, Hector enlisted in the Canadian Army serving with the Rocky Mountain Rangers, the Westminster Regiment and the Royal Canadian Engineers from 1940 to 1946. He saw action in North Africa, Italy and Holland.

Following his discharge in 1946, Hector remained in England until 1952 where he played professional ice hockey for teams in Brighton, Glasgow, Perth, Belgium and Switzerland from 1947-1952. In 1952 he returned to Canada and settled in Stoney Creek, ON. Hector worked for the Lawson Lumber Company in Hamilton from 1952 to 1987 and on retirement moved to Burnaby, BC.

Hector's funeral service will be held on 10 March 2008 at St. Theresa's Roman Catholic Church in Burnaby, BC. Burial will take place at the North Vancouver Cemetery North Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Hector to the Finnish Canadian Rest Home Association, 3460 Kalyk Avenue, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5G 3B2.

We regret to advise of the death of Gifford Moorhouse on 1 March 2008 in Victoria, BC.

Born in Toronto in 1916, he grew up with many great tales to tell, moving north to Huntsville where he learned to ski, trap and achieve academically. As a teen he was a jockey at Woodbine, travelling to New Orleans to race at many tracks. Later he studied drafting. During WW II he enlisted with the Royal Canadian Engineers and saw action in Europe. After the war he moved to Victoria and he worked for 30 years with the Federal Government as a supervisor at the Dockyard.

A funeral service will be held Monday, 10 March at 10:30 am at the Chapel of the New Jerusalem, Christ Church Cathedral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of Mengo Hospital [Kampala, Uganda] Canada.

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Second Class Joseph Nathan "Guiseppe" Slyth (Retd) on 21 February 2008 at Mount Edwards Court, Victoria, BC.

Joe was born in 1914 in London, England. He was the youngest of four children and, at the age of eight, he was enrolled at the Central London District School, Hanwell. He was extremely fortunate to be taught the trade of music and he left the school at the age of 16 to join the British Army as a Boy Bandsman in the Gloucestershire Regiment. His WW II experiences included being wounded and captured near Dunkirk and the subsequent three and one-half years as a prisoner of war in Stalag VIIIB and Blechammer. After the war he spent 10 years with the Welsh Guards, where he played his clarinet at the Trooping of the Colour, the Queen's Coronation, and the Festival of Britain.

In 1954 Joe joined the Canadian Army when the military bands were being formed across Canada and he brought his family to Chilliwack, BC where he was posted to the Royal Canadian Engineers Band. He was much involved in the Chilliwack arts community and hosted a classical music radio program there. After retiring from the military in 1966 at the rank of W0 II, Joe and family moved to Victoria where he embarked on a series of careers. These included a brief stint as a Commissionaire, furniture refinishing, owner of "Reliable Used Furniture," and relief lighthouse keeper with the Canadian Coast Guard on Race Rocks and Trial Island, among others. In the 1970s he embraced ham radio and was proud of getting his morse code ticket and his ham radio call sign:"VE7 DVE." Joe was a member of the Monarchist League of Canada, the Monterey Centre, Westcoast Amateur Radio Assn., Victoria Shortwave Club and the Retired Guardsmen Club. He was a volunteer at Glendale Lodge, the CNIB, and the Provincial Emergency Program.

There will be no service. A celebration of Joe's life will be held on 23 April 2008, at the Esquimalt Legion, 622 Admirals Rd. Victoria, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. All family and friends are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations to Foster Parents Plan Canada, 95 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto, ON, or the Westcoast Amateur Radio Assn. Tower Fund, P.O. Box 48047, Victoria, BC, would be appreciated.

We regret to advise that Captain Henry Maylor Woodrooffe (Ret'd) passed away quietly at Stillwater Creek Residence in Bells Corners, Ottawa at the age of 97.

Henry was born in Bruce Mines, ON, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in metallurgical engineering from the University of Toronto in 1934. The same year, he joined the Ontario Refining Corporation (later International Nickel Corporation) in Coppercliff, ON. His militia service included the Second Dragoons, Royal Canadian Artillery and Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury Regiment. In the Second World War, he went overseas with the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1941 and served on special assignment with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1944 to the end of the war. He retired in 1946 at the rank of Captain.

After the war, Henry joined the Canadian government Department of Mines, Mines Branch, serving for 30 years, including tours in Russia, Kazakhstan and Czechoslovakia before retiring in 1974.

Friends are invited to visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street, Ottawa, on Friday, February 22nd from 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Theresa of The Child Jesus Roman Catholic Church, 95 Somerset Street, West at Somerset & Cartier streets, on Saturday, February 23rd at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow at the McGarry Family Reception Centre, 315 McLeod Street. Memorial donations to the Shepherds of Good Hope would be appreciated by the family.

We regret to advise of the death of Grant Ross Cumbers in Regina, SK on 13 February 2008.

Grant was born in 1919 in Saskatoon, SK but in 1926 his family moved to Eyebrow, SK. After high school, he studied to be an architectural draftsman. In 1939, he moved to Regina where he continued his studies while working for an architectural firm. His studies were interrupted by three years of war service with the Royal Canadian Engineers. After the war and passing his architectural exams, Grant worked with B.L.M. Architects in Regina for thirty-three years until his retirement.

A Service of Remembrance will be held on 18 February in Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina. Interment will be in Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery, Regina. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. ^{{gdJan2016kh}}

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Attilio “Ted” Ravanello (Ret’d) of Albert Bridge, NS at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in  Sydney, NS on 13 February 2008 at the age of 90 years.

Ted was born in Glace Bay, NS.  He was a veteran of the Second World War and served with the Royal Canadian Engineers.  Ted was a lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #12, Sydney.

A funeral mass will be held on 18 February at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph's Church, Albert Bridge, with interment to take place at a later date.  Donations may be made to Palliative Care, Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation or a charity of one’s choice.

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Albert Edward Yeates II, DCM at the  Deer Lodge Centre in Winnipeg MB on 2 February 2008 at the age of 89 years.

Albert served in the Royal Canadian Engineers during the Second World War. He landed on Juno Beach on D-Day with the 18^th Fd Company and served through Normandy and the Low Countries. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the second-highest award for gallantry in action after the Victoria Cross, for an action in the closing days of the Battle of the Scheldt.

The funeral arrangements for Albert are entrusted to the Chapel Lawn Funeral Home in Winnipeg.

We regret to advise that Lieutenant John William Murray (Ret'd) passed away peacefully at home in Comox, BC on 1 February 2008 after a valiant battle with cancer.

John grew up in Edmonton where he enrolled in the Royal Canadian Engineers and graduated from the University of Alberta with a degree in Civil Engineering. After his initial engagement John followed a civilian career and worked for Alberta Power Co. Ltd. for 32 years, spending the last ten years in Whitehorse before retiring to the Comox Valley.

A Memorial Service will be held at Comox United Church on 6 February 2008 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Moorecroft Camp Society, 1563 Stewart Road, Nanoose Bay, BC, V9P 9E7.

We regret to advise of the death of David Edward Currie at home in Kingston NS on 1 February 2008 at the age of 66 years.

David was born in Halifax NS. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy and later transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Steamfitter trade.  After his service he worked as a Stationary Engineer at Britex Fabrics in Bridgetown, NS.  David was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #98 in Kingston.

Cremation has taken place and, by request, there will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on 5 February at the Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main Street in Middleton. ^{{dcOct2017gd}[zpp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Étienne Gonthier who was killed in action on 23 January 2008 in southern Afghanistan at the age of 21. 

Étienne was a Combat Engineer serving with 5^e Regiment du génie de combat in Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Valcartier, QC. He was a native of St-Georges de Beauce, QC.  Before joining the Canadian Forces he studied carpentry at the Centre de formation Pozer in St-Georges.  Etienne joined the Canadian Forces in 2004 and, after completing his Combat Engineer training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in CFB Gagetown, NB, he was posted to 5e Regiment du génie de combat.  Etienne was on his first operational deployment and was killed when his light armoured vehicle hit an improvised explosive device (IED) during a road clearance operation.  

A repatriation ceremony was held on 27 January at the Canadian Forces Base Trenton, ON.  A military funeral will be held on 2 February at 11:00 AM at the Saint-Georges Church, 1890, 1st Avenue West, in Saint-Georges.  Donations may be made to the Laval University Hospital Neurological Centre, 10 l’Espinay Street, Québec, Québec G1L 3L5.  ^{{gd/rtJan2017dc}} 

We regret to advise of the death of Brian Lynthor Isfeld, MSM, CD, who passed away peacefully on 20 January 2008 at St. Joseph's Hospital, Comox, BC. after a valiant fight against cancer.

Brian was born in Winnipeg in 1939 and joined the military as a young man. His career took him to Europe, Nova Scotia and British Columbia. He was the father of Combat Engineer Master Corporal, Mark Isfeld who was killed in Croatia. Brian was known to many of the Canadian Military Engineer family through his un-ending work on the Izzy Doll project (see: http://cmea-agmc.ca/izzy-dolls-update). Brian and his wife Carol were both awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division) for their international humanitarian work.

Flowers are gratefully declined. A donation may be made in Brian's memory to the Palliative Care Unit, St. Joseph's Hospital, Comox, BC. A Memorial Service will be held at the Protestant Chapel, 1325 Military Row, CFB Comox, BC on Saturday, 16 February 2008 at 2:00 pm. ^{{kh5 Sep2015}}

We regret to advise that Ellard James Hanniman died peacefully at Marianhill Residence, Pembroke on 16 January 2008 in his 88^th year.

A Royal Canadian Engineer WW II Veteran, Ellard was a member of Royal Canadian Legion Pembroke Br. # 72.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated on 19 January in St. Columbkille's Cathedral, Pembroke. Interment in St. Columba's Cemetery. In memory of Ellard, donations to the Pembroke Regional Hospital or Marianhill Foundations would be appreciated by the family.

We regret to advise that John W. McMullen died peacefully, in hospital, on 15 January 2008 at the age of 87.

A Royal Canadian Engineer WWII Veteran, he had a career with the Royal Canadian Mint. He was Past Master St. Andrew's Lodge #560 GRC.

A Masonic Service followed by a funeral service was held in the Hulse Playfair and McGarry Chapel on Friday at 2:30pm. At John's request, donations to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.

We regret to advise of the death of Gilbert Thomas Howden on 14 January 2008 at the age of 88. Gil was born and raised in Vancouver, joining the Militia in his teens with the British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own Rifles) before transferring to the Royal Canadian Engineers. He served six years overseas during WW II in England, France, Belgium and Germany. Constructing Bailey bridges and clearing minefields, he was proud to be liberating Holland when the war ended.

After the war, Gil joined the Post Office where he worked first as a letter carrier, then a railway mail clerk, then onto supervisory roles at the main post office and airport until his retirement in 1983 with 39 years of service. He was a lifelong member of the Royal Canadian Legion and a past Master Mason of Crossroads Lodge.

A celebration of Gil's life will be held at the Boal Chapel and Memorial Gardens, 1505 Lillooet Rd, North Vancouver at 2 p.m. Thursday, 24 January. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation to the George Derby Care Society www.georgederbycentre.ca , or the Alzheimer's Society of British Columbia, www.alzheimerbc.org , would be gratefully received.^{khSep2016}

We regret to advise of the death of Donald Clarence “Jamie” Jamieson peacefully on 14 January 2008 at the age of 93.

Jamie was born in Islay, AB but moved to Victoria, BC in 1935.  He was a WW II veteran with the Royal Canadian Engineers.  After the war, he worked in the wholesale building supply business and real estate.  He was a charter member of the Victoria Curling Club and a member of the Capilano Winter Club.

A Celebration of Life will be held at McCall Brothers Floral Chapel, at Johnson & Vancouver Streets, Victoria on 26 January.  Donations may be made to the Christ Church Cathedral School Education Fund, Victoria.  Condolences may be offered at www.mccallbros.com. ^{{gdJun2016kh}}

We regret to advise of the death of Cliff Hessdorfer peacefully on 7 January 2008 at St. Paul's Hospital, Saskatoon at age 80.

Cliff was born in Wakaw, SK and lived most of his life in Saskatoon. His military service spanned from when he joined the Reserves in June 1942,  to when he completed his service in the Regular Forces in December 1953 . He served in the Infantry Corps, the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers and in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps.

A memorial service will be held on 11 January 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Prairie View Chapel, Highway 11 South at Prairie View Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation, 279 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 2H8 or Canadian Diabetes Association, 104 2301 Avenue C North, Saskatoon, SK S7L 5Z5.^{khOct2016}

We regret to advise that Sapper Harry Honeybourn (Ret`d) passed away suddenly on 6 January 2008 at age 91.

Harry was a WW II veteran who enrolled in the Royal Canadian Engineers at Vancouver in July 1940. He was assigned to 4^th Field Park Company Royal Canadian Engineers and, after completing his training at Camp Petawawa, he sailed for England in November 1941 as part of the 5^th Canadian Armoured Division. Training in England continued for two years until the Division was committed to the Italian Campaign.

Harry arrived in Naples, Italy in November 1943 and fought in the Italian Campaign until the 5^th Armored Division was assigned to the Northwest European theatre and re-deployed in February 1945. Harry was fully involved in sapper operations until VE Day. 4^th Field Squadron was disbanded in The Netherlands in November and Harry remained in Europe until he was discharged in October 1945.

Harry’s post-war career saw him work for Canada Post for 21 years.

Harry was a member of the Aldergrove Legion where his funeral service was held on 10 January 2008.

We regret to advise of the death of Joseph Emile Comeau of Bangor NS in the Yarmouth Regional Hospital on 2 January 2008 at the age of 89 years.

Emile was born during the Spanish flu epidemic just after the First World War. He was raised among sawmills and owned and operated a logging truck in the years leading up to the Second World War. Emile was a veteran and served in the Royal Canadian Engineers in Petawawa ON.

Returning to Bangor after the war, Emile owned and operated a salt truck in the municipality of Clare and worked in the machine shop at Comeau Sea Foods. Afterwards, he started his own water delivery business, Emile Comeau Water Service, until he retired.

A funeral mass was held at the Sacred Heart Church, Saulnierville NS. ^{{dcDec19wd} [zsd, zpp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Wes Johnston peacefully at home in Scarborough, ON on 01 January 2008* at the age of 93.

Wes was a WW II veteran who served with the Royal Canadian Engineers.  He was a life member of the Royal Canadian Legion and a ten-year member of the East York Concert Band.

Visitation will be at the Jerrett Funeral Home, 660 Kennedy Road, Scarborough on 19 February from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Service will be held in the chapel on the 20^th February at 2 p.m. Interment will be at Pine Hills Cemetery, Scarborough.  Donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society or Canadian Cancer Society.  {gdNov2016kh}

* Precise date unknown but before 21 January 2008

We regret to advise that Sapper Jack J. Ouellette (Ret'd) passed peacefully on 31 December 2007 at 84 years of age.

Jack was a Royal Canadian Engineer Veteran of WW II, serving during 1942-1946 in Canada, United Kingdom and North West Europe. He also served in the Militia 1955-1960 with the Windsor Regiment (Royal Canadian Armour Corps). Jack retired from the Windsor - Detroit Tunnel Corporation in 1987 after 22 1/2 years.  He was a member of Branch 143 Royal Canadian Legion.

A Veterans Memorial Service will be held under the auspices of Royal Canadian Legion Br # 143 at 7:30pm 4 January. Visitation 4 January 3:00-5:00 and 7:00-9:00 pm. Funeral Service on 5 January at 11:30 am at Families First Funeral Home & Tribute Centre (519-969-5841) 3260 Dougall Ave. Cremation to follow. Donations to the Alzheimer's Society would be appreciated.

Alfred "Mickey" Romhild passed peacefully in hospital in Ottawa on 24 December 2007 at the age of 88 years.

Mickey was a WWII Royal Canadian Engineers veteran with Maps and Survey.

Funeral Service was held in the West Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry on 29 December. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation would be appreciated by the family.

We regret to advise that Sergeant John Vincent McDonald, CD (Ret'd) died on 22 December 2007 at the age of 45 in Enfield, NS.

His funeral service was held in Shubenacadie, NS on 27 December.

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Leo Graham Gorman, (Ret’d) of Spryfield NS at the Victoria General Hospital (VG) Site at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax NS on 4 December 2007 at the age of 78 years.

Leo was born in Halifax and lived most of his growing up and working life there. Leo served in the Royal Canadian Engineers and was a member of the Earl Francis Memorial Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in Spryfield. He had a successful 26-year career with Via Rail and retired in 1990.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Monday, 10 December 2:00 PM in the Earl Francis Memorial Legion in Spryfield. Interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the charity of one's choice. Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family at: wfh2005@ns.sympatico.ca.

We regret to advise that Major William A. "Bill" Jones (Ret'd) of Chilliwack, passed away suddenly on 2 December 2007 at his home at the age of 79 years.

Born in Harris, SK, he lived in La Rivere and Winnipeg, MB, and Indian Head, SK. He worked at the Manitoba Telephone System, Canadian Wheat Board, Winnipeg Grain Exchange, the Coca-Cola Co., farming in Indian Head, and a sawmill in Galloway, BC. He couldn't find the right niche in life until he joined the Army in March 1948.

Bill spent 32 years serving his country at home and abroad, having postings in Camp Borden, ON; Werl, Germany; Chilliwack, BC; Moose Jaw, SK; Shilo, MB; and serving with the United Nations Emergency Force in Cairo, Egypt. He served his country and the Royal Canadian Engineers in many different facets and places throughout his career and his achievements could be summed up when he was awarded the Canadian Order of Military Merit in June 1978 - for outstanding merit, achievement and service to the Canadian Armed Forces.

Bill retired from the military in 1979 at the rank of Major. After the military, he began his civilian career in Prince Rupert, BC at the Prince Rupert Fisherman's Co-Op where he worked for seven years in labour relations and founding one of the first commercial salmon farms on the west coast. He returned to Chilliwack in 1987 and began a business venture in commercial rainbow trout farming at a location in Bridal Falls, BC, near Chilliwack.

At his request, there will be no funeral or formal service. The family requests no flowers or donations to any organisation on his behalf. There was a celebration of his life on 10 December at the Royal Canadian Legion #280 in Vedder Crossing.

We regret to advise of the death of James R. “Jim” Aellen in Red Deer, AB on 2 December 2007 at the age of 93 years

Jim was born in Calgary, AB.  He began his working life as a telegram deliverer with the Canadian Pacific Railway at a young age and supporting his family after the untimely death of his father.  In 1936 he entered the painting/decorating trade.  Jim was a veteran of the Second World War -  first in Canada with the Royal Canadian Engineers and then overseas with the 7^th Canadian Infantry Training Regiment.  After the war Jim and his family ranched west of Cochrane, AB before settling in Red Deer in 1952.  Jim resumed his career as a painter at Michener Centre in Red Deer (and its predecessors) for over 26 years, retiring in 1978. 

Visitation will take place at Eventide Funeral Chapel in Red Deer on 5 February between 6:00 and 8:00 PM.   A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at Sunnybrook United Church, Red Deer on 6 February at 6:00 PM.   Donations may be made to the United Church Museum & Service Fund, care of Sunnybrook United Church.  ^{{dcApr2017gd} [zsd, zpp, zsp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Marcus "Max" Schaap in Chilliwack, BC on 1 December 2007.

Max was born in Hausen, The Netherlands. After immigrating to Canada he joined the Canadian Army as a bandsman.  During his career, he played in both the Royal Canadian Engineers Band in Chilliwack as well as the HMCS Naden Band in Victoria, BC.

There will be a Service of Remembrance on 10 December at 1:00 PM in the Chapel of Henderson's Funeral Home in Chilliwack. ^{{dcMay2017gd} [zsd, zcc, zpp]}

We regret to advise that Robert "Bob" Lloyd Fiddler died suddenly in Yuma, AZ on 28 November 2007 at age 66.

Bob served a full career in the Canadian Military Engineers and worked with Syncrude Canada Ltd. in Fort McMurray, AB after retirement.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held in Sylvan Lake, AB on 7 December with interment at the Sylvan Lake Cemetery.

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Robert “Bob” Arthur Douglas CD (Ret’d) on 27 November 2007 in Ottawa ON at the age of 72. 

Bob was born in Fredericton NB and joined the Canadian Army in 1958 as a Field Engineer.  After basic training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC he transferred to the cartography trade and was posted to the Army Survey Establishment in 1961 as a lithographer where he was employed in the Cartography Squadron and served on Mobile Reproduction Teams in support of field deployments.  He had the distinction of supporting the underwater security team for the 1964 visit of the Queen to Canada.  In 1977 he was attached to the Canadian Forces Photographic Unit in Ottawa where he served for one year.  Bob served with Army Survey Establishment/Mapping and Charting Establishment until his retirement in March 1983.

Funeral service will be held at the Pinecrest Remembrance Chapel, 2500 Baseline Road, Ottawa on 3 December.  Donations may be made to the Ottawa Heart Institute. 

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer First Class Mahlon “Cy” John Casselman peacefully at the Dundas Manor Winchester ON, on 26 November 2007 in his 92^nd year.

Cy was a WW II veteran who served with the Royal Canadian Engineers from 1939 to 1945.  After the war, he followed a Public Service career with the Department of Public Works.  Cy was a long-time member of the Royal Canadian Legion Morrisburg ON Branch #48.

Visitations will be at the Parker Funeral Home, 28 Sir James Morris Drive, Morrisburg on 30 November.  Royal Canadian Legion Branch #48 members will assemble at the funeral home for a Service at that time.  A funeral service will be held in the Chapel of the Funeral Home on 1 December at 7:00 pm.  Cremation will take place to be followed with inurnment in Old Union Cemetery, Williamsburg ON at a later date. ^{{gdMay2016kh}}

We regret to advise the death of Orville William Watt at the Good Samaritan Place in Edmonton AB on 20 November 2007 at the age of 88.

Orville was born in Ashmont AB.  He was a WW II veteran who served with the Royal Canadian Engineers, 6^th Field Park Squadron.  After demobilization, he returned to Alberta but re-enlisted in the Army in 1954 enjoying a 15-year career.  Upon his retirement, he spent 15 years working for Peacock Brothers in Edmonton before retiring a second time at age 65.

A celebration of life will be held on 24 November at the Evergreen Funeral Chapel in Edmonton followed by interment at the Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Donations may be made to the CHOICE Program, Good Samaritan Place, 8425 83 Street, Edmonton. ^{{gdSep2016kh}}

We regret to advise of the death of George Henry Ross who passed away peacefully on 16 November 2007 at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary in his 99^th year.

Henry was born on the family farm near Enid, SK. He attended Normal School in Regina then began teaching in the one-room schools of the area. He continued teaching until 1941 when he enlisted in the Canadian Army with the Royal Canadian Engineers. He served with the Royal Canadian Engineers and retired in 1960 in Calgary. After retirement from the Canadian Army, Henry worked as a clerk at the Calgary Court House for several years.

A Memorial Service will be held at Living Spirit United Church (629 - 49 Avenue S.W.) on Wednesday, 21 November 2007 to celebrate his life and mark the occasion of his ninety-ninth birthday. In lieu of flowers Henry would appreciate donations to the Hospice Calgary Society (Suite 900, 833 - 4 Avenue S.W., Calgary T2P 3T5), directed to Rosedale Hospice. ^{{khSep 2016}}

We regret to advise of the passing of Captain Alfred Lawrence Ricketts (Retired) on 12 November 2007 in his 90^th year.

Alfie was born and raised in Victoria and joined the Royal Canadian Engineers as a sapper in 1935. After a full career he retired as a captain in 1968.

A celebration of Alfie's life will be held in the chapel of Sunset Lodge (952 Arm St.), Victoria on Monday, 25 November at 2 p.m. ^{{khSep 2016}}

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Maurice Edgar “Tony” Mazerolle, CD (Ret’d) on 10 November 2007 at St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Comox, BC at the age of 70 years.

Tony was born in Campbellton, NB.  He joined the Royal Canadian Engineers at age 16  as a Sapper Apprentice and served a two-year program of academic, military and trades training at Camp Chilliwack, BC. During his 25-year military career, he served in Victoria, BC; Chilliwack; Alsask, SK; Masset, BC and Alert, NT.   He also served 13 months with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) in the Middle East (1957-58). 

After retiring from the Army in 1979, Tony started a second career with the BC Telephone Company, retiring in 1996 as a building maintenance supervisor on Vancouver Island.  Tony was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #160 in Comox, and a volunteer in many community-based charity organisations.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on 15 November at the Comox Valley Funeral Home, Courtenay, BC.  Donations may be made to St. Joseph's General Hospital, 2137 Comox or to the Chilliwack General Hospital. ^{{dcMay2017gd}[zpi, zsd]}

We regret to advise of the death of Lance Corporal Thomas L.  Evans (Ret’d) on 10 November 2007 in Scarborough, ON at the age of 79 years. 

Thomas was a Second World War veteran.  During his time in the Army, he served with both the Royal Canadian Engineers and the 48^th Highlanders of Canada.  Thomas was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Highland Creek Branch #258 in Scarborough.  ^{{dcJun2017gd} [zsd, zcc, zbd, zpp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Martinus Cornelis Jacobus “Martin” Grinwis (Ret’d) of Kitmat BC on 7 November 2007 at the age of 85 years.

Martin was born in Breda, The Netherlands. He served in the Royal Canadian Engineers and was a member of the Kitimat Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

A memorial for Martin was held at the Kitimat Legion on 9 November 2007.

We regret to advise of the death of Captain Ralph Ellenwood Eyre (Ret'd) on 8 November 2007, at his home in Quispamsis, NB at the age of 90.

Born in Red Deer, AB, Ralph was raised on a farm in Yarmouth, NS and joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1937. He served in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. The highlight of his military career was the three years he spent in the Yukon managing engineering transportation on the Alaska Highway.

Ralph retired in 1964 as Captain, commanding 3 Engineer Stores Depot in Petawawa, ON. Upon retirement he returned to Central Chebogue and resumed the farm life. He firmly re-established his rural Nova Scotian roots, at various times serving as municipal fence viewer, municipal sheep evaluator and the sheriff of Central Chebogue. He also served on the board of the th'YARC theatre, the CNIB and the Western Nova Scotia Exhibition. He is perhaps best-known for his whimsical; and charming folk art - the hundreds of polished sculpted bird shapes mounted on natural driftwood bases that he produced yearly and which he was making up to the time of his death.

A memorial service was held in Sweeny's Funeral Home, Yarmouth, on 14 November. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind or the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. There will be a private family interment at a later date.

We regret to advise that LCol Paul Corcoran (Ret'd) died on 6 November 2007.

Born in Valleyfield QC, Paul received his primary and secondary education and initial work experience in Valleyfield and Ottawa. He started his 37-year military career when he joined the Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE) as a Sapper in Montreal in 1947. Paul was initially posted to 23^rd Field Company at Camp Chilliwack, BC in for his basic training. Having some experience operating civilian heavy equipment, he passed a trade test that qualified him for an Assistant Instructor position and was posted to the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering ( RCSME ) in early 1948 where he taught Operation & Maintenance of heavy equipment.

Paul was then posted to Fort Churchill MB in 1949 as an Operator, Special Engineer Equipment. Completion of this tour saw a posting to Victoria BC (1950 - 1956) during which time he changed his trade from Equipment Operator to Foreman of Works and was promoted to Sergeant. He was then posted to Fredericton NB (1956 - 1962) for employment at Camp Gagetown during its initial construction. The new camp was in an advanced state of construction but none of the living quarters were completed. Paul was initially employed inspecting buildings for takeover from the contractors and later, as a Staff Sergeant, in the Works Company. In 1962, he was posted to Camp Wainwright, AB and promoted to Warrant Officer Class II (Master Warrant Officer). Paul was the Senior Foreman of Works in the Engineer Detachment until 1965 when he was posted to Egypt.

On his return from Egypt in 1966, Paul was commissioned as a Specialist Officer (Lieutenant) in the RCE and posted to RCSME as the Administrative Officer. In 1967, he spent six months with the Armed Forces Centennial Tattoo as Director of Light & Sound. Paul returned to RCSME, was promoted to Captain and employed as team leader writing the new trade specifications for the revised "unified" Canadian Military Engineer Trades. In 1971, shortly after completing the Junior Staff Course in Toronto, Captain Corcoran was posted to National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa for three years. Promoted to Major in 1974, he was posted to CFSME to command Trades Training Squadron. He held this position  for four years and, in 1978, was appointed United Nations Force Engineer in Nicosia, Cyprus - a position he held for two years. Paul returned to Canada in 1980 to become Base Construction Engineering Officer in CFB Edmonton.

Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1981, Paul was posted to Ottawa as Deputy Director of Military Occupational Structures. He retired from the Regular Force in 1983 and moved to Clearbrook, BC. In 1986, Paul was called out to serve as the Commanding Officer of the Regional Direction Centre (RDC) in Vancouver and provided liaison between DND and the Expo Corporation throughout that EXPO year. In 1995, he enrolled in a degree course at the local college. In June 2000, at seventy-two years of age, he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Adult Education at the University College of the Fraser Valley. Paul was a member of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) of Vancouver; a life member of the CFB Chilliwack Historical Society and a member of Branch #280 The Royal Canadian Legion and a strong supporter of the Military Engineer Association.