We regret to advise that Chief Warrant Officer Gerry Collins, former Regimental Sergeant Major of 4 ESR and former School Chief Warrant Officer of CFSME died on 5 November 2006 of complications from a stem cell transplant at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax.
CWO Collins, a native of Mulgrave, Nova Scotia, enrolled in the Canadian Forces in June 1976 in Sydney. He completed recruit training at Canadian Forces Recruit School Cornwallis in September 1976. Following completion of his QL 3 training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Gerry served in a variety of combat engineering and instructional positions including positions with 2 Field Squadron, Gagetown; 4 Combat Engineer Regiment in Lahr, Germany; 22 Field Squadron, Gagetown; the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering, Chilliwack; and 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, Petawawa.
In September 1994, CWO Collins was posted to 4 Airfield Engineer Squadron in Cold Lake, Alberta. As Operations Warrant Officer and Support Flight Commander, he was responsible for Airfield Engineering Flight/Air National Guard exchange projects as well as the training of Airfield Engineer Flights in crater repair procedures. Promoted to the rank of Master Warrant Officer in July 1995, he was appointed 45 Support Squadron Sergeant Major. During this period, Gerry deployed to Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina as the project officer with 1 Construction Engineering Unit Works and Design Company.
In July 1998, Chief Warrant Officer Collins was posted to the German Army Training Establishment at Canadian Forces Base Shilo, Manitoba. As Range Maintenance Supervisor and Engineering Services Company Sergeant Major, he was responsible for the provision of range construction, maintenance and firefighting services. In January 2001, Gerry returned to the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering. As the Heavy Equipment Troop Commander, he was responsible for the training of all heavy equipment operators for the Canadian Forces.
In June 2003, after completing a ten-month continuous French language course, he was appointed Regimental Sergeant Major of 4 Engineer Support Regiment. Chief Warrant Officer Collins assumed the appointment of School Chief Warrant Officer, Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in July 2005 and held that appointment until September 6 when he stood down for medical reasons.
Visitations took place on 8 November 2006 at the Oromocto Select Community Funeral Home, 108 Winnebago, Oromocto, NB. A military funeral took place at St. Luke's Chapel, Canadian Forces Base Gagetown on 9 November 2006. A reception followed at the Mitchell Building in the Commandant's Assembly Area. For those who prefer an In Memoriam donation in lieu of flowers, the family recommends a gift to the Transition House for Abused Women and Children in Fredericton, NB.