After more than 36 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, MWO Pierre Chapdelaine, CD (bio attached), has been retired since 05 November 2017. Due to miscellaneous events, finally his Depart with Dignity Ceremony will take place the golf club La Seigneurie, 241, rue du Golf, St-Hilaire, Québec, planned for June 2017.  Date and timing will be communicated at a later date. Attendees are requested to advise the OPI of their planned attendance NLT 01 May 2017.  Anecdotes or retirement wishes may be sent to the OPI by e-mail or fax.

OPI:  UOI (Québec) SM, , CWO Myre  by phone at 514-252-2777 ext. 2531 or by fax at 514-252-2093.

Pierre Chapdelaine enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces, on December 20, 1978, as an infantryman. Once his training was complete, he was transferred to the 1st Battalion, R22R in Germany from March 1983 to July 1985. He is chosen to complete the parachutist course and continues his career in the 1st Commando from July 1985 to July 1987 and was transferred to the 2 R22R in Québec City.

In 1990, the Cpl Chapdelaine requested a remuster as a plumber and gas fitter. After acceptance, he completed his basic training in Chilliwack, BC and was transferred to the construction troop at Valcartier in 1991.

He carried out a mission to the UN in the former Yugoslavia in 1995, as the single plumber to maintain the military camp, the observation posts, camps of refugees, hospitals and schools. Back from mission, in April 1996, Cpl Chapdelaine performs another mission to the UN in October 1996, but this time in Haiti for a period of 6 months and as soon as he returns to the country, he is transferred within the construction troop as the supervisor for the plumbing section at 5 RGC.

In October 1998, he participated in a deployment in the Golan until April 1999. The tasks and responsibilities for this mission were to maintain the distribution of water and heating for several observation posts located along the Israeli-Syrian border.

In 2001, he completed his training in leadership and was promoted MCpl. In 2002, he made another mission in the former Yugoslavia. Back in the Canada, he completed his Sgt course and was transferred to St-Jean Engineering Services as a contracts inspector.

Sgt Chapdelaine was transferred to the School of Military Engineering, located at the Gagetown garrison, as an instructor in Plumbing Heating cell. Promoted to the rank of WO in 2007, he continued as head of the standards in Plumbing Heating.

After 4 years at the school, he was promoted to MWO and transferred the Engineering Services at Valcartier and in 2013; it becomes the SM Engineering Service for the garrisons of Valcartier, St-Jean and Montréal. The MWO Chapdelaine had to leave the Canadian Armed Forces for medical reasons in 2015.

MWO Chapdelaine was awarded the Medal of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee and was awarded a Commander Canadian Army Commendation for putting together a program of assistance to the military, as well as hosting groups, at the rate of twice per week during a period of more than 10 years.

MWO Chapdelaine lives in St-Hilaire in Quebec since his retirement with his wife Lise Massicotte, herself retired from the CAF. During his retirement, he keeps a watchful eye on his three girls: Amélie, Chantal and Annie, like any good father.