CME Family Last Post

We regret to advise of the death of Chief Warrant Officer Howard “Howie” Drummond, CD (Ret’d) unexpectedly in hospital in Ottawa on 9 Janaury 2004 at the age of 66.

Howie joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as an Electrical Generating Systems Technician and like many in his trade in the 1960s he spent considerable time on Cold War Continental Air Defence Integration North (CADIN) Pinetree Radar stations including Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Gypsumville, MB and Penhold, AB.  Other postings included Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Edmonton (Namao).  He was Power Plant Superintendent at CFS Penhold before being placed in charge of the Power Plant for the North American Air Defence (NORAD) Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) underground facility at CFB North Bay, ON.

On retirement in 1985, Howie took his skills to work with the power generating plant at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Headquarters in Ottawa.

Visitation will take place at the Kelly Funeral Home, 2370 St. Joseph Blvd., Orleans, on 13 January from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM.  Funeral Service will be on 14 January in the funeral home Chapel at 11:00 AM.  Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre Foundation. ^{{gdJan2017dc} [zpp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Frank L. Acker who passed away suddenly on 7 January 2004, in Roseway Hospital in Shelburne NS at the age of 70 years.

Frank was borne in Churchover, Shelburne County NS. He was a member of the Shelburne Volunteer Fire Department for 35 years and was employed as a firefighter with the Department of National Defence for 23 years.

Family flowers only, please. Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or Roseway Hospital Foundation. Memorial Service was held in Christ Church, Shelburne. Family committal service at a later date.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Stanley Bennett Park on 7 January 2004 in hospital in Ottawa, ON at the age of 72 years.

Stanley was a veteran of the Korean War who served with the Royal Canadian Engineers. After his military service  Stanley worked for the Federal Government in the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources until his retirement. 

Friends are invited to assemble for a Memorial Service in the Pinecrest Remembrance Chapel, 2500 Baseline Road, Ottawa on 10 January at 11:00 AM.  Charitable donations in Stanley B. Park's memory may be made to the charity of one’s choice. 

We regret to advise of the death of Lt Col Alan Webster MBE, MiD, CD (Retd) at age 96 on 5 January 2004.

Alan graduated in engineering from the University of British Columbia in 1933 and joined 6^th Field Comapny as an Officer Cadet in 1935. Lt Webster went overseas to the United Kingdom in 1940 and served with different units for the next three years. In 1944-45 he commanded 8^th Field Park Company and 1^st Mechanical Equipment Company in the rank of Major.

On return to the Vancouver area after the war, he worked with the Federal Government until retirement in 1972. Serving with the Militia for many years, he first commanded the 22^nd Field Squadron, RCE in New Westminster. In 1949 he was promoted Lieutenant Colonel to command the 7^th Field Engineer Regiment that included the 6^th and 22^nd Field Squadrons and 54^th Field Park Squadron. Alan was very active in the Military Engineers Association of Canada and was National President 1952-53.

Donations may be made to the charity of your choice A celebration of Alan's life will be held at Queen's Ave United Church in New Westminster on Monday 12 January at 11:00 a.m.

We regret to advise of the death of Lloyd M. Bergson of Erickson, MB in 2004.^*

Lloyd was born and educated in Erickson.  He was a veteran of the Second World War and served for five years with the Royal Canadian Engineers in Italy and Northwest Europe.  After the war, he worked in mining operations in Ontario and the Northwest Territories. In 1965 he bought a farm in Clanwilliam, MB and farmed until his death in 2004.  Lloyd was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #143 in Erickson.  ^{{dcNov17gd} [zsd, zpp]}

* exact date unknown

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Robert Overby (Ret’d) peacefully on 29 December 2003 in Thunder Bay Regional Hospital, Thunder Bay ON at the age of 92 years.

Robert was born in Reeder, North Dakota, USA.  He was a veteran of the Second World War who served overseas in "B" Company 1^st Battalion, Royal Canadian Engineers.  He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #5, Thunder Bay.

According to Robert's wishes, cremation has taken place and a graveside service will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice. ^{{gdMar2017dc} [zsd, zcc, zpp, zbd]}

We regret to advise of the death of Staff Sergeant Maxwell Starkman (Ret’d), Second World War veteran and distinguished architect, on 29 December 2003 at the age of 82 years in Los Angeles, CA.

Maxwell was born in Toronto. Upon graduating from high school he worked for the architectural firm Kaplan & Sprachman until he joined the Army in 1940.  After training in the Royal Canadian Engineers in Petawawa, ON he was sent to Britain in 1941.  He was with a Chief Engineer (Works) detachment in Normandy and continued the war through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.  Maxwell also served in the Canadian Army Occupation Force until 1946. 

After demobilisation Maxwell enrolled in Architecture at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. He graduated as the gold medallist in 1950 and went on to a distinguished career as an architect.  He moved to Los Angeles for work and built a lifetime career.  In 1953 he established Maxwell Starkman & Associates which, by 1982, was the fourth largest in the USA according to Building Design and Construction magazine.  His firm was deeply involved in the post-war construction boom building houses for returning veterans and their families. By 1983 the company ranked 98^th out of 400 top rated engineering firms according to the Engineering News Record. 

Maxwell credited his wartime experience for his success, saying “When someone would say ‘It can’t be done’, that was a challenge – and we succeeded.”  Among the many prominent buildings his firm designed are the Sony Pictures Plaza Entertainment Complex in Culver City, CA; the Melodyland Theatre in Anaheim, CA; the Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas, NV ( later demolished and replaced with the Bellagio); and possibly the capstone of his career, the Simon Wiesenthal Center of Tolerance in Los Angeles.  By the time he retired in 1983 he had built more than 20,000 single-family homes and thousands of apartment projects then pioneered early shopping centres and went on to build office buildings, luxury condominiums, hotels and mixed-use projects. Maxwell was the brother of Staff Sergeant Morris Starkman (Ret’d), also of the Royal Canadian Engineers. 

Services will be held 31 December at noon at Hillside Memorial Park, Culver City, CA.  Memorial donations may be made to the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. ^{{dcApr17gd}[zri]}

Maxwell's brother, S/Sgt Morris Starkman (Ret'd), also served in the RCE.  He died in 2014.

We regret to advise of the death of Ross Logan Hutton at the Mewburn Veterans Hospital in Edmonton AB on 25 December 2003 at the age of 79.

Ross was born in Minnedosa MB.  He was a WWII veteran who served overseas with the Royal Canadian Engineers 2^nd Battalion as a dispatch rider.  During his service in the United Kingdom, he was involved in the construction of facilities and other projects to assist in the defence of the UK.  In 1943 he was injured and returned to Canada where he convalesced.

After his release, Ross returned home to Minnedosa and went into the electrical business and worked in this trade until his retirement as Alberta President of Newberry Energy in 1982.

In accordance with Ross's wishes, there will be no service.  Donations may be made to the Mewburn Veteran's Centre, 11440 University Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta.  ^{{gdSep2016kh}}

We regret to advise of the death of Major Emil “Em” Aubrey Cecil Fritsch, CD (Ret'd) at the Peter Lougheed Centre in Calgary AB on 24 December 2003 at the age of 77.

Em was born in Denbigh ON.  He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and attended Queen's University in Kingston ON where he graduated with a Civil Engineering degree in 1953.  His military career was primarily in Military Engineering staff appointments, including Engineering Officer at Canadian Forces Base Lahr, West Germany in the early 1970s.  He will also be remembered by many as the Military Engineer Career Manager in the late 1960s. 

After retiring from the Canadian Forces in 1975, he worked for the Department of Public Works in Ottawa, retiring at the age of 65 in 1991.

Funeral Services will be held in Calgary on 29 December followed by a second Funeral Service to be held in Ottawa at a later date. In living memory, a tree will be planted in Calgary at Nose Creek Valley Memorial Forest.^{{gdSep2016kh} (Updated 18 Sep 16)}

We regret to advise of the death of S/Sgt Harry Hall (Ret’d) of North Bay ON at the North Bay General Hospital-McLaren on 19 December 2003 at the age of 87 years.

Harry was born in Leicester, Leicestershire, England and came to Northern Ontario with his family in the 1930s. . He served in the Royal Canadian Engineers during the Second World War with the 31^st Field Company in Britain, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

Harry will be remembered as a man whose many contributions gave quality of life to a community. He led an active life in his community: president of the North Bay Chamber of Commerce; served for 17 years as a councilor with Whitney Township; volunteered for many tasks; was a member of the North Bay Lions Club, the Masonic Lodge and executive member of the North Bay Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 23.

Harry's family will be receiving friends at HILLSIDE FUNERAL SERVICES, 362 Airport Road, on Sunday, December 22, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral service, Monday, December 22. at St. John the Divine Anglican Church, 301 Main Street at 11:00 a.m. Donations to the North Bay General Hospital Foundation in memory of Harry will be gratefully acknowledged by his family.

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant James Victor Blades (Ret'd) on 18 December 2003 at the age of 93.  Victor was born in Lincolnshire, England and came to Canada as a young boy in 1914. He served overseas with the Royal Canadian Engineers in WWII.

James was a longtime resident of Camrose and Round Hill district, Alberta. He was an active member of the community and was Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Funeral Services will be held on 22 December 2003 at the Burgar Memorial Chapel, Camrose. Memorial donations are gratefully accepted to the charity of one's choice. ^{_{(gdJul15kh} {zsd, zcc, zpp}}}

We regret to advise of the death of William Edward “Bill” Buxton on 18 December 2003 at Riverview Health Centre, Winnipeg, MB where he had been residing since March 2000.

Bill was born in Victoria, BC and grew up at Fort Rodd Hill in Esquimalt. He had seven brothers and six sisters.  All of the boys served in the Second World War. Two brothers served in the Artillery and one in the Air Force. Bill and four others all served in the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.  Bill saw action in Sicily and Italy. In his youth, he was a well-known featherweight boxer and his fast hands and power earned him the nickname 'Dynamite' Bill.

After the war, Bill, his English wife and son William* returned to British Columbia where Bill joined the Royal Canadian Engineers.  He served across the country including working on the initial construction of Camp Gagetown in the 1950s. He retired in 1965, settling in Winnipeg.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Society, Arrangements by the Garry Memorial Funeral Home, Cemetery & Cremation Centre. ^{{dcApr2018gd} [zpp, zsd]}

*Bill's son, William David Buxton, also served in the RCE.  He died in 2011. One of Bill’s brothers was CWO Dick Buxton, DCM, CD who served as Quartermaster Sergeant Instructor (QMSI) at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack, BC during the early 60s.  Buxton Drop Zone in Edmonton, AB is named for Dick Buxton who was killed in a parachuting accident while serving as RSM of the Canadian Airborne Regiment.

We regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant Colonel Ronald “Ron” Cecil Paris CD (Ret’d) peacefully at the Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, ON on 7 December 2003 at the age of 89.

Ron was a WW II veteran who served overseas with the Royal Canadian Engineers from 1940-1946 finishing the war with the rank of Captain in the 1 Canadian Works Section of the Canadian Army Occupation Forces.  After the war, he enlisted in the Permanent Force and served as Commanding Officer of 17 Works Company in Whitehorse, YK from 1951 to 1954.  In 1957 to 1958 he commanded 1 Field Squadron in Camp Petawawa, ON.

Internment will take place on 9 December in the Beechwood Military Cemetery in Ottawa.  Donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice. ^{{gdDec2016kh} [zsd,zcc,zpp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Hugh Roberts Forsythe (Ret'd) of Wetaskiwin, SK on 7 December 2003 at the age of 86 years.

Hugh was a Royal Canadian Engineers veteran of the Second World War and was a Life Member of the Wetaskiwin Branch #86 of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Hugh’s Funeral Service was held on 12 December at 2:00 PM at the Baker Funeral Chapel.  He is buried in the Wetaskiwin Memorial Cemetery.  Memorial tributes may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta, Wetaskiwin Chapter or to the charity of one's choice. ^{{dcJan19gd} [zsd, zcc, zpp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant David Munro Scullion (Retired) on 3 December 2003 in Chilliwack, BC.

David served in the British Army prior to moving to Canada and joining the Royal Canadian Engineers. Many will recall him from his tour with the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in the early 1960s.

After retirement from the Canadian Forces he served with Corrections Canada. Funeral Mass was held on 9 December 2003. 

We regret to advise of the death of Omer Joseph Arsenault of Richibucto, NB on 30 November 2003 at the age of 85 years.

Omer was born in Adamsville, NB.  He was a veteran of the Second World War and served five years in the Royal Canadian Engineers.  After the war, he returned to Richibucto where he taught in the old Richibucto Grammar School for two years and served as the Postmaster of Richibucto for 32 years afterward.  He was the Justice of the Peace and Commissioner of Oaths for the community.  

Omer was active in community organizations including the Knights of Columbus, the Richibucto Lion's Club,  and Club d'age d'Or de Richibucto.  He was also the organist choir director for St-Louis-de-Gonzague Church in Richibucto for over 60 years.  Omer was a Life Member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch #30 in Richibucto and past Commander of the Northumberland-Kent District of the Royal Canadian Legion.  For all his work in the community, Omer was awarded the Centennial Medal, the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal, the 125^th Anniversary Medal and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal.

Omer is resting at Thompson's Funeral Home,  Richibucto with visitation on  3 December from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM, 4 December from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM and 5 December from 2:00 PM until time of funeral at 4:00 PM.  The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Louis de Gonzague Roman Catholic Church, Richibucto with interment to take place in church cemetery.   ^{[dcSep19gd} [ zsd]}

We regret to advise of the death of Major Charles Spencer Nicoll P.Eng., RCE (Retired) on 27 November 2003.

Charlie was born and raised in Mira Gut, Cape Breton and graduated from Acadia and Nova Scotia Tech. He served with the Royal Canadian Engineers during the Second World War in appointments that included Command of 6 Field Company and 2 Canadian Works Section. After the war, he worked with the Canadian International Development Agency. 

Friends may pay respects at the Kelly Funeral Home, 3000 Woodroffe Avenue (south of Fallowfield Rd.) on Sunday, 30 November from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Funeral Monday, 1 December, to St. Patrick's Church, Fallowfield, for Mass of Christian Funeral at 10:30 a.m. In Memoriam donations to the charity of your choice appreciated. 

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Richard Fletcher (Ret'd) in Saskatoon, SK on 23 November 2003 at the age of 84 years.

Richard was born in Farmingdale, SK.  He was a veteran of the Second World War and served overseas in the Royal Canadian Engineers where he married an English woman and returned to Canada to live in Kelvington, SK.  He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion of the Kelvington Branch #19. Richard is buried in the Kelvington Cemetery. ^{{dcJan19gd} [ zpp, zsd, zcc]}

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Edmond Bélanger (Ret’d) from Thetford Mines, QC on 20 November 2003 at the age of 83 years.

Edmond was a Second World War veteran who served with the Royal Canadian Engineers.  He was a Life Member and former President of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch in Thetford Mines.

A religious service will be held at the St-Alphonse de Thetford Mines church. ^{{gdMar2017dc} [zsd, zcc, zbd, zpi]}

We regret to advise of the death of another Engineer First World War veteran. The Reverend Cyril Edward Martin died on 17 Nov 2003 at the age of 103 in the Mewburn Veterans Centre in Edmonton, AB. Cyril Martin was born in February 1900 near London, England. His family emigrated to Canada in 1907 and settled in Verdun, QC.

When war broke out in 1914, Cyril went to work in a munitions factory and when a Navy recruiter visited his factory he convinced Cyril to join up. However, as Cyril was only 15 his father had him taken out of the Navy as soon as he found out. But it was impossible to keep dreams of 'adventure' out of a young man's head and Cyril tried next to join the Army. While the army recruiters knew he was lying about his age, Cyril was enlisted and sent overseas. By his 16^th birthday, Cyril was already in France with the Canadian Army Expeditionary Force. He was assigned to the 7^th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops and was in action at Ypres and Passchendaele where he laid track from the rear areas over the shell-holes and up to the trenches in order to bring forward the ammunition, rations and other supplies. Cyril contracted trench fever and became so ill that he was sent to England to recover. He spent the rest of the war with a young boys' regiment in England and returned home to Canada when the war ended.

For Cyril, however, peace was hard to find. He had been deeply religious when he went overseas but the war had shaken his faith. However, the goodness in human nature that he remembered became the focus of Cyril's life and in 1919 he decided to become a minister. He attended Toronto Bible College for several years and moved to Saskatchewan to preach. Attending St. Andrew's College in Saskatoon, in 1929 he was ordained as a United Church minister. When war broke out again in 1939 Cyril re-enlisted in the army - this time as a chaplain assigned to the 7^th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, stationed in England.

After the war, Cyril continued to work in a military hospital in England. Through his life, Cyril spent 55 years as a minister before retiring in 1968 from full-time work, 50 years as a Legion member, and 50 years as a Mason. Well past his 90^th birthday, Cyril was invited by the governments of Canada and France in 1997 to attend the 80^th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. He visited Vimy and Passchendaele and received the Legion of Honour from the French people. The Chaplain General of the Canadian Forces authorized the awarding of Canadian Forces Chaplain's Coin in December 2002. In Jun 2003 he was presented with the Queen's Jubilee Medal and, in October, St. Andrew's College in Saskatoon awarded him with a Bachelor of Theology degree.

A memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on 26 November 2003 at St. Andrew's United Church, 9915 148 St, Edmonton. In lieu of flowers, donations in Cyril Martin's memory may be made to the Mewburn Veterans Centre or the Bissel Centre.^{khMay2016}

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Robert Donald Bingeman (Ret’d) on 16 November 2003 at St. Mary's Hospital in Kitchener, ON at the age of 79 years.

Robert was born and lived most of his life in New Hamburg, ON.  He was a Second World War veteran who served in the Royal Canadian Engineers.  After the war, he had a 26-year career with the Ontario Ministry of Transport Roads Department prior to his retirement.  Robert was a member the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #532 New Hamburg and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, London ON.  He was also involved in the former New Hamburg Turf Club and had worked with the Agricultural Society in the Horse Racing Section.

Visitation will take place at the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home, 291 Huron Street on 18 November from 7:00 – 9:00 PM and 19 November from 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 PM.  The funeral service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hamburg on 20 November at 2:00 PM.  Interment to follow in Riverside Cemetery, New Hamburg.  Donations may be made to the Royal Canadian Legion Scholarship Fund or St. Mary's Hospital.  A Legion service will be held on 19 November at 6:45 PM at the funeral home.  ^{{dcFeb2017gd}  [zpp, zsd]} 

We regret to advise of the death of Percy Baker "Pete" Pratt on 14 November 2003.

Pete was a Locomotive Engineer with the Royal Canadian Engineers Railway Troops during the Second World War - transporting supplies and personnel throughout Europe. After the war, Peter worked with Canadian National Railways and retired as a CNR engineer in the mid-1970s. He remained active and interested in his church, gardening, woodworking, and community activities for many years before moving to Fredericton in 2001, where he resided in the Veterans Health Facility.

A graveside committal service will be held in the summer of 2004 in Campbellton, NB. The family would appreciate memorial gifts be made to Atlantic Baptist University, Box 6004, Moncton, NB E1C 9L7 or the Endowment Fund of Greenwood Drive United Baptist Church, P.O. Box 3637, Station B, Fredericton, NB E3A 5L7. ^{khMar2016}

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Robert MacDonald Murphy, CD (Retired) on 14 November 2003.

Robert served in the Royal Canadian Air Force Fire Service from October 1948 until January 1969, retiring as a Warrant Officer.

In accordance with Robert's wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service celebrating Robert's life was held on 18 November. There will be a family service in Vancouver, BC on 29 November. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Robert's memory to the Canadian Diabetes Association. 

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper John Bohun (Ret’d) peacefully in Ladysmith, BC on 12 November 2003 at the age of 85 years.

John was born in Krydor, SK.  He was a Second World War veteran who served in the Royal Canadian Engineers.  He was a Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #171 in Ladysmith, BC.

Prayers will be held on 16 November at 7:00 PM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ladysmith with a funeral mass the following day at 11:00 AM.  Interment will be in the Ladysmith Cemetery. ^{} [zpp, dcFeb2017gd{zsd, zcc]}

We regret to advise of the death of Ralph K. Porter in Ottawa ON on 7 November 2003 at the age of 80.

Ralph was a WW II veteran who served with the Royal Canadian Engineers, 2^nd Battalion.  He was a member of the Corps of Commissionaires as well as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Visitation will be at the Kelly Funeral Home, 2370 St-Joseph Blvd, Orleans ON on 12 November from 7 to 9 p.m.  Members of the Royal Canadian Legion will assemble for Service at 7 p.m.  A funeral service will be held on 13 November at 11 a.m. at Redeemer Alliance Church, 4825 Innes Road.  Donations may be made to the Redeemer Alliance Church.  ^{{gdSep2016kh}}

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper John Donald “John D” Bowie (Ret’d) from Lower West River, NS on 6 November 2003 in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish, NS at the age of 85 years.

John a was a veteran of the Second World War who served overseas with the Royal Canadian Engineers in North Africa, Italy and Continental Europe.   He was a Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion Arras Branch #59 in Antigonish.  He was a respected bricklayer throughout the Antigonish area and was a member of the Bricklayers’ Union.  He also was a director of the Bergengren Credit Union and member of Holy Name Society and Atlantic Retired Sappers. 

Visitation will be at the C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College St., Antigonish 8 November from 7:00 – 9:00 PM and 9 November 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 PM.  Funeral service will be conducted on 10 November 10:00 in St. Ninian's Cathedral, Antigonish.  Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Donations may be made to the Anthony Daniel Bowie Bursary Fund at Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional School, 105 Braemore Ave, Antigonish. On-line condolences at: www.clcurry.com.  ^{{gdFeb2017dc} [zpp]}

We regret to advise of the death of George Sneddon who passed away 2 November 2003.

George was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1924 and served in the Royal and Merchant Navies in the Second World War. One of the most memorable events of George's naval career occurred during the war as the ship he was on was involved in hunting down the German Battleship "Bismarck". He emigrated to Canada in 1948 and first worked on the Canadian Pacific Steam Ship "Princess Louise" on the Alaska run.

George joined the Canadian Forces in 1949 and served 25 years as an RCE Administrative Clerk with the Royal Canadian Engineers in Chilliwack, Whitehorse, Germany and with the United Nations Emergency Force in Egypt. A longtime resident of Cultus Lake, upon retiring from the Forces in 1974 George served as a prison guard with Federal Corrections for 12 years and fully retired in 1986.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday 8 November 2003 at 3:00 PM from the Chapel at Woodlawn Mount Cheam Funeral Home 45865 Hocking Ave. Chilliwack, BC. A Memorial Tea will follow In lieu of flowers, donations in George's memory may be made to the Heart & Stroke Fund. ^[zpp]

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Joseph A. Dargus (Ret’d) of Kirkland Lake ON on 1 November 2003 at the Sensenbrenner Hospital in Kapuskasing ON at the age of 82 years.

Joseph was a Royal Canadian Engineer veteran of the Second World War. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Kirkland Lake Branch #87.

At the family's request there will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place and a graveside service will follow in the spring at the Kirkland Lake Cemetery. ^{{dcJan18gd} [zsd, zcc, zbd, zpp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Earl Martineau peacefully at his residence in Greely ON on 31 October 2003.

Earl served overseas during the Second World War with the Royal Canadian Engineers in the 3^rd Field Company, 1^st Infantry Division who saw action in Sicily, Italy and Northwest Europe.

A graveside service will be held on 4 November at All Saints Cemetery, Greely, ON at 11:00 a.m.  Donations to the Palliative Care Outreach Program, 1455 Woodroffe Ave. S., Nepean, ON.  ^{{gdSep2016kh}}

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer France Georges “Frank” Gaulin, CD, (Ret’d)  on 27 October 2023 in Chilliwack BC at the age 70 after his brief battle with cancer.

Frank was born in Princeville QC. He started his military career with the Canadian Military Engineers upon completion of  basic Combat Engineering training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC. Frank's first posting was to 3 Field Squadron in Chilliwack in 1972. He later re-mustered to the Electrician trade and his career followed that path for the rest of his 24-year military career.
Frank continued his electrical career as a contractor after he retired from the Canadian Forces. He later joined the Chilliwack School Board in 2007 and then fully retired at age 60. 

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a future date. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Léo Cormier on 22 Oct at the Palliative Care Unit of Grey Nuns Hospital in Edmonton, AB.

Léo started his military career in the Navy in 1970 as a Radio Technician 231. He became a Military Engineer in 1986 when he remustered to 621 Refrigeration Mechanical Technician and was posted to Cold Lake and Edmonton. He spent 23 years in the military before retiring in 1993.

After retirement, Léo settled in Cardiff Echos (just north of Edmonton) and worked for several different contractors in Edmonton, Fort McMurray and St Albert. Leo was employed lastly by Johnson Controls and was the lead HVAC mechanic at a fertilizer plant in the Edmonton area.

The family requests that any donations be made to Palliative Care Unit # 43, c/o Grey Nuns Hospital, 1100 Youville Dr. W., Edmonton, AB, T6L5X8 .

We regret to advise of the death of Major John Frederick “Si” Sininger, MiD, CD (Ret’d) at the Matsqui-Sumas-Abbotsford General Hospital in Abbotsford, BC on 21 October 2003 at the age of 84. Si served 29 years with the Royal Canadian Engineers and the Canadian Military Engineers.

Si was born at the Little Horseguard District near Alhambra, AB. In June 1940, at the age of 22, he enlisted in the Canadian Army Active Service Force and joined the 78^th Battery Royal Canadian Artillery in Red Deer, AB. He served with the Artillery until his transfer to the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1942. His first tour with the RCE was with No 1 Chemical Warfare and Mortar Companyin Owen Sound, ON as a Platoon Sergeant and instructor in mortars and chemical warfare. When that unit disbanded in August 1943, he was posted to the 2^nd Canadian Division as a member of 1 Field Park Company, RCE in England.

Promoted to Company Sergeant Major, Si landed in France on D-Day plus 1 and served with that unit through France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany until the cessation of hostilities in Europe. He took part in the Battle for Carpiquet Airport and the Battles of Caen and the Falaise Gap. He marched through Dieppe after the city was liberated and then advanced through Belgium to Antwerp and the Scheldt Estuary. In Spring 1945, he saw action at the Twent Canal, Appeldorn and Hangelow, NL as the Allies crossed the Rhine into Germany. For his exemplary service and devotion to duty Si was Mentioned in Dispatches and received a special citation from Field Marshal Montgomery.

Repatriated to Canada with 13^th Field Company, RCE in October 1945, he was assigned to the Administration and Training Staff responsible for organizing and setting up the RCE Militia units in Alberta.In 1947 he was posted to 23^rd Field Company RCE at Camp Chilliwack, BC as that unit’s first post-war Company Sergeant Major. In May 1948 he was appointed Regimental Sergeant Major of the Training Wing, Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering. He earned his Parachutist Wings in 1948 and during the Fraser River flood that same year, was the co-ordinator of military and civilian relief workers at Rosedale, BC. Promoted to Warrant Officer First Class in 1950, he was appointed Regimental Sergeant Major of RCSME as one of the younger peacetime RSMs in the Canadian Army. He held the double position of RSM of RCSME and Camp Chilliwack for eight years.

In 1958, Si was appointed as the Regimental Sergeant Major of The Royal Military College, Kingston, the Canadian Army’s most senior and prestigious RSM appointment.  He served in that position until 1961.

Upon leaving RMC, he was commissioned to the rank of Captain and posted to RCSME, Camp Chilliwack where, during the period 1961-65, he served as Recruit Squadron Training Officer, Second-in-Command and Acting Officer Commanding. He was promoted to the rank of Major in 1966 and appointed Officer Commanding Recruit Training Squadron followed by command of Field Engineer Squadron. Si retired in 1969.

Si was one of the driving forces behind the opening in 1957 of the RCE Museum in Chilliwack as well as being a founding member and organizer of the Royal Canadian Engineer (Retired) Sapper Association in Chilliwack. In honour of his outstanding and dedicated service to the Royal Canadian Engineers, the main auditorium at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in CFB Chilliwack was named “Sininger Hall”. After the closure of CFB Chilliwack his memory was perpetuated by the naming of “Sininger Place” in the Garrison Crossing complex in Vedder Crossing, BC.

Si was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #15 in Abbotsford BC. At his request there will be no funeral. A celebration of his life will be held at the Rhombus Hotel in Chilliwack on 1 November 2003. ^{{gdFeb2016kh}}

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper William Earle Clement “Bill” Boylan (Ret’d) of Bible Hill, NS at the Colchester Regional Hospital in Truro, NS on 19 October 2003 at the age of 86 years.

Bill was born in New Ross, NS.  He was a Second World War veteran who served with the 5^th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers in England and the Continent during the war and remained in Germany after the war as part of the Canadian Army Occupation Force.  After demobilisation, he worked for the Nova Scotia Department of Highways and had his own service station businesses.  He later taught Automotive Mechanics at Vocational School in Springhill, NS and Truro as well as a driver education instructor for many years.  Bill was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #26 in Truro and a Lifetime Member of the Knights of Columbus. 

Visitation will be in the Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow Street, Truro 20 October from 3:30 – 5:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 PM with a Royal Canadian Legion service at 7:00.  A funeral mass will be celebrated at the Immaculate Conception Church, Truro on 21 October at 2:00 PM with interment in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in New Ross, NS.  Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia or a charity of one’s choice. 

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Trevor "Trapper" Allen MM, MiD, CD at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton NB on 17 October 2003.

Trapper was born in England but moved to Canada at an early age.  He was a member of the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers whose career spanned 27 years.  He was a WW II veteran who served in England, Italy, France, Holland and Germany and was Mentioned in Dispatches for his distinguished service.  He later served in Korea where he received the Military Medal for recovery operations on the Sherman Armoured Recovery Vehicle.

After Korea Trapper’s army service took him to Cyprus, Egypt, Wainwright AB, Calgary AB, Winnipeg MB, Saint John NB, Halifax NS and Baffin Island NT.  His final posting from 1964 to 1972 was as Engineering Technician Sergeant Major (ETSM) for 2 Field Squadron, Canadian Forces Base Gagetown NB.  After his retirement from the Army, he remained in Gagetown working with Base Maintenance Section until fully retiring in 1987. Trapper took special pride in helping military personnel, both active and retired, in their dealings with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Visitations will be held at Oromocto Select Community Funeral Home, in Oromocto NB, on 20 October followed by a tribute service by the Royal Canadian Legion Oromocto Branch # 93.  The funeral service will be held at St Luke's Chapel, CFB Gagetown, on 21 October.  Interment will be in the Burton NB Cemetery at a later date.  Donations may be made a charity of one’s choice. ^{{gdApr2016kh}}

We regret to advise of the death of Colonel John Alexander Beswick, M.D., C.D., FRCS (C) (Ret’d) in Toronto ON at Sunnybrook Hospital, where he was a resident, on 10 October 2003 at the age of 87 years.

John was born in Toronto and was a fifth-generation Torontonian. He was a veteran of the Second World War who served over five years in the Royal Canadian Engineers.  After the war, he attended medical school and graduated in 1950. John joined the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps and served for a year and a half in Korea.  He then studied ophthalmology and became a specialist in 1959. During his military career, John served as Chief of Ophthalmology of Canadian Forces Hospital, Kingston ON and the National Defence Medical Centre in Ottawa ON.  Upon retiring from the Army, he became Chief of Ophthalmology at Scarborough Centenary Hospital, West Hill ON for 14 years.  Dr. Beswick took a very active part in the promotion of the EYE Bank in the early '50s and '60s at Sunnybrook Hospital, Scarborough Centenary, and other Toronto Hospitals providing a steady flow of donated eyes for transplants and research. He retired in 1987.

John will be interred at St. James Cemetery Toronto in the plot owned by the Beswick family since 1874. ^{{dcJul19gd} [zpp, zsd]}

We regret to advise of the sudden death of Major John Robert "Bob" Preen (Ret'd) at his cottage at Lac Sinclair, Quebec on 2 October 2003.

Bob was a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War from 1942 to 1945. After the war, he attended the University of New Brunswick and graduated in Civil Engineering in 1950. He joined the Royal Canadian Engineers and served in a variety of staff positions. After retiring from the Canadian Forces, he joined the Department of Public Works in 1974 and retired in 1986.

Friends may pay respects at the Kelly Funeral Home, 580 Eagleson Road (Kanata) Sunday 5 October from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. Funeral Service Monday 6 October in the Chapel at 3:00 PM. In Memoriam donations to the Queensway Carleton Hospital would be appreciated. 

We regret to advise of the death of Lance Corporal Edward Albert “Ted” Whitehurst (Ret'd) peacefully at the Winchester and District Memorial Hospital, Winchester, ON on 1 October 2003 in his 83^rd year.

Ted was a WW II veteran who served with the Royal Canadian Engineers.  He was also retired from the Canadian Pacific Railway in Montreal.

Visitation will take place at the Duncan Funeral Home, Chapel & Reception Centre, 6971 Bank Street, Metcalfe, ON on 3 October from 1 to 3 p.m.  A memorial service will follow in the Chapel at 3 p.m. Donations may be made to the Winchester and District Memorial Hospital or the Canadian Cancer Society.  ^{{gdNov2016kh}}

We regret to advise on the death of Sapper Marinus "Ring" Yzerman (Ret'd) on 30 September 2003 at the age of 98 years.

Marius was born in the Netherlands.  He emigrated to Canada, arriving in Saint John, NB and later moving west to Alberta. He was a veteran of the Second World War and served in the Royal Canadian Engineers. Marinus was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion in Olds. {jpMar17dc}[zsd, zcc, zpp]

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Trevor Harper McDowell (Ret'd) on 27 Sep 2003 in Chilliwack, BC.

Trevor joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1960. His first tour was with the United Nations Emergency Force in Egypt 1961-1962 and this was followed by tours with 3 Field Squadron (1962 - 63 and 1966 - 71) and 4 Field Squadron (1963 - 66 and 1971 - 74). Returning to Chilliwack, he took his release and was employed by Uneeda Wood Products until retirement in October 2001.

Trevor was cremated privately. There will be an Irish Wake on 11 October at 6:00 PM at the Cultus Lake Hall.

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Wallace Roy "Bud" MacKinnon (Ret'd) on 27 September 2003 at the age of 74 years.

Bud was born in Sackville, NB.  He joined the Royal Canadian Engineers is 1952 and served his first tour with 2 Field Squadron in Germany in 1953 - 55, returning to that unit as Squadron Sergeant Major in Gagetown 1976 - 78. He served in Tanzania Africa 1965 - 66 and also with 3 Field Squadron in Chilliwack. His last assignment was at CFB Chilliwack with Base Operations. After retiring in 1980, Bud sold real estate in the Chilliwack area for many years.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday 3 Oct at 2:00 PM at Woodlawn' Mt Cheam Funeral Home on 45865 Hocking Avenue in Chilliwack. There will be a gathering for friends and family in the Lodge Banquet room of the Masonic Hall immediately after the service. Masonic Brethren attending are asked to bring their regalia and assemble at the Lodge Building by 1 :00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the B.C. Cancer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper George Alfred Wilson (Ret'd) of Fredericton, NB at the Oromocto Public Hospital on 24 September 2003.

George was a veteran of the Second World War who served with the 23^rd Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers and was President of the 23^rd Field Company Veterans Association. He was a graduate of Nova Scotia Technical College and later worked for Moncton Electric and Gas in 1940 where he also was a Volunteer Fireman for the city of Moncton prior to enlisting. He later worked for NB Power from 1959 until he retired 1985.

Visitation will be held at McAdam's Select Community Funeral Home [ www.mcadamfh.com ] on Friday, 26 September from 7:00 - 9:00 PM and 27 September from 2:00 - 4:00 and 7:00 - 9:00 PM. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #4 will hold a tribute service at the funeral home on Saturday evening at 7:00 PM followed by the Knights of Pythians Riverview Lodge # 51 at 7:30 PM. The funeral service will be held at the Brunswick Street Baptist Church on Sunday, 28 September at 3:00 PM. Interment will be at a later date. For those who wish, memorial tributes to New Brunswick Heart and Stroke Foundation or the charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated by the family. 

We regret to advise of the recent death of a firefighter, Chief Petty Officer 2^nd Class John P. "Jack" Low, (Ret'd) who passed away suddenly on 23 September 2003 in Dartmouth General Hospital.

Jack joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1963 and retired in 1992 and was working at the Damage Control School on Purcells Cove Road in Halifax.

Funeral service was on 27 September 27 in Stadacona Chapel, Gottingen Street. Interment in Dartmouth Memorial Gardens. Donations in Jack's memory to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, 204-5523 Spring Garden Rd., Halifax, NS B3J 9Z9 would be appreciated by the family.

We regret to advise of the death of Frank Mitchell peacefully at the Rockyview Hospital in Calgary AB on 22 September 2003 at the age of 85.

Frank was born in Vancouver BC but grew up in Cloverdale BC.  He was a WW II veteran who served overseas with the Royal Canadian Engineers from 1941 to 1945.  After demobilisation, he moved to Calgary in 1952 where he worked for Lilydale Co-op Limited as the manager of the Chinookbelt Hatchery. He retired in 1987 from Pinecrest Foods Limited.

A private family Graveside Service will be held at Queen's Park Cemetery, Calgary.  Donations may be made to the Alberta Lung Association, Calgary. ^{{gdJun2016kh}}

We regret to advise the death of Sapper Frederick Carl Wiese (Ret'd) on 18 September 2003 at the age of 84 years.

Frederick was a veteran of the Second World War and served in the Royal Canadian Engineers from 1941 until 1945.  He was a Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion Nipawin Branch #120. 

We regret to advise of the death of Donald Kingsley Douglas Crocker in Halifax NS on 12 September 2003 at the age of 78 years.

Donald was a Second World War veteran of the Royal Canadian Engineers. After the war, he returned to Nova Scotia and worked as a fisherman. He was a long-term resident of the Digby area. He was a Life Member of the Carpiquet Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in Freeport.

Donald is buried in the Port Maitland & Beaver River Cemetery in Port Maitland, NS.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Kenneth G. Devlin (Ret’d) on 6 September 2003 in Perth ON at the age of 84 years.

Kenneth was a veteran of the Second World War and served in the Royal Canadian Engineers.  He was a member of the Perth-Upon-Tay Branch #244 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Perth. ^{{dcFeb18gd} [zsd, zcc, zpp, zbd]}

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Arnold Alfred Flieler (Ret'd) of Cloyne, ON  in his 84^th year on 6 September 2003 at Quinte General Hospital in Belleville, ON .

Alfred was born in Fernleigh, ON. He was a veteran of the Second World War and served in the 5^th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers.

The family will receive friends at the McConnell Funeral Home in Tweed from 7:00 until 9:00 PM on 8 September and again on 9 September from 2:00 until 4:00 and from 7:00 until 9:00 PM.  The Funeral Service will be in the Tweed Chapel on 10 September at 1:00 PM.  Interment will follow in the Northbrook United Church Cemetery. Donations to the Pine Meadow Nursing Home in Cloyne or the District Historical Society will be appreciated.

We regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant Charles Aspler (Ret’d) in Montreal, QC on 5 September 2003 at age 87 years.

Charles was a member of the McGill University, Montreal, Canadian Officer Training Corps from 1940 to 1942. He graduated from McGill with a degree in Architecture. In 1942 he transferred to the Royal Canadian Engineers and started training in Long Branch, ON until joining the 23^rd Field Company in Petawawa, ON.   After the unit finished its training in Petawawa it moved to Camp Sussex, NB to complete unit training before deploying to Northwest Europe in 1943.  Charles served as the 23^rd Field Company Reconnaissance Officer before becoming the Headquarters Platoon Officer.  He participated in Operation BERLIN, the evacuation of Airborne troops from Arnhem under fire from across the Rhine River on the night of 25/26 September 1944 after Operation MARKET GARDEN.

Charles retired from active service in January 1946 and went on to a career as an architect in Montreal for over 50 years. He also served as an Alderman in the city of Westmount, QC.

Funeral service will be held at Paperman& Sons Funeral Home, 3888 Jean Talon West, Montreal on 7 September.  Burial will be at Congregation ShaarHashomayim Cemetery, Mount Royal Blvd. Shiva private. Contributions in his memory may be made to the charity of your choice. ^{{gdNov2015kh}}

We regret to advise of the recent death of Sapper Archie Thompson, Canada's oldest First World War veteran.

A 107-year-old retired railway engineer from the Petrolia area, Archie died 2 September 2003 at his cottage at Old Woman's River, near Stokes Bay, ON and was buried on 6 September in Sarnia. This summer, Archie Thompson had received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for his wartime service. He had gone unrecognized for years as he had never applied for veterans' benefits. When he received the award, Thompson was the oldest of the 13 surviving Canadian veterans of the First World War.

Born in Ireland, he emigrated to Canada in 1912. Archie was drafted into the Royal Engineers and shipped to Britain as the war was winding down and did not see action. Returning to Canada after the war, he followed a career with Canadian National Rail and retired in 1962.

Donations to the charity of choice would be preferred by the family. 

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Class II Alex Donald Armstrong (Ret’d) at the Charlotte County Hospital in St. Stephen, NB on 1 September 2003 at the age of 83 years.

Alex was born in St Stephen.  He was a veteran of the Second World War and served in the Royal Canadian Engineers. After the war, he worked for the Canadian Cotton Mill in Milltown, NB and then with his brother Jack in construction work and later with the New Brunswick Liquor Commission in St. Stephen.

A graveside service will be held on 5 September at the St. Stephen Rural Cemetery.  Donations may be made to Milltown United Church or to a charity of one’s choice.  ^{{dcNov17gd} [zsd, zpp]}