Published September 23, 2025 · By Rolly Dusseault
After more than 26 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, MWO J.E. Fournier, CD, will retire on 05 November 2025. A DwD reception will be held on 05 November at 11h30 at Pizza Delight Bunker, 1198 Onondaga St, Oromocto, NB. If attending, please RSVP to Maj M.L. Fournier,monica.fournier@forces.gc.ca, no later than 22 October 2025. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to the same person.
MWO J.E.J Fournier, CD born in Jonquiere, Quebec, Canada, began his career in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1986 at the tender age of 16 when he enrolled with Regiment du Saguenay in Jonquiere, QC. Only a year later he transferred to the Regular Force (Reg F) as a Naval Communications Technician however quickly realizing this was not his calling, he released from the Navy in 1989. MWO Fournier reenrolled in the CAF in January,1999 as a Cbt Engineer and never looked back. Upon completing his QL3 at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering (CFSME), he was posted to 4 Engineer Support regiment (4ESR) where he would go on to make his mark and have a rewarding career with the Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE).
Over his 28 years of service, MWO Fournier served in a wide range of operational and instructional roles namely at 4ESR, CFSME, 5 CDSG, and ADM Mat. MWO Fournier spent 23 of his 28 years in Gagetown, NB with the bulk of his time being spent with 4ESR. Having held various positions within the Unit from Pte to MWO, he has a deep personal connection with the Unit In 2010 MWO Fournier was posted at CFSME where he spent 5 years as an instructor in the Bridging Cell, and taught the following courses: Advance Water Supply, Bridge Inspector, Advance Bridging, Bridging Boat Erection (BBE) and as the DP3 Sect Comm Course WO. From 2018-2021 MWO Fournier was posted to DCSEM in Ottawa, ON as the Life Cycle Material Manager (LCMM) for Water Supply Equipment. In 2019 he was promoted to MWO and occupied the DCSEM SM position in 2020. MWO Fournier was posted back to 4 ESR in 2021 as the 48 Sqn SM and subsequently to 5 CDSG Base Ops Services as the Garrison Sargent Major (GSM) in 2022. Finally, in November 2024 he joined the Gagetown Transition Centre to complete his final posting.
MWO Fournier deployed on OP ATHENA in Kaboul, Afghanistan in 2004 as part of the new project for the Improved Landmine Detection System (ILDS) and in 2007 to Kandahar, Afghanistan as a section member in the Engineer Support Centre (ESC).
MWO Fournier will be retiring from the CAF on 05 November 2025, after a fulfilling career, he is leaving behind a legacy of service, dedication, and excellence.
MWO Fournier has recently moved to Penniac, NB where he will enjoy his time off wood working, making drill canes and cutting boards and spending as much family time as possible with his wife Maj Monica Fournier and their two children: Eric and Logan and their grand-son Kaedyn.
A DWD will be held on 5 November 2025 at Pizza Delight Bunker, 1198 Onondaga St, Oromocto, NB starting at 1130 hrs. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Please RSVP to Maj M.L. Fournier no later than 22 October 2025. Any well wishes or anecdotes can also be sent to monica.fournier@forces.gc.ca