We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Joseph Laurent Joel Darcy "Darcy" St-Laurent MMM,  SC, MB, CD (Retd) on Sunday, 30 October 2022 at age 53. Darcy was a former Canadian Forces Search and Rescue Technician who had started his military career as a Combat Engineer.

Darcy enlisted in the Canadian Forces in 1987 and, after completing his basic Combat Engineering training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Base Gagetown NB, served with 5^e Régiment du génie de combat from 1989 to 1995. During his Sapper career, he was a combat diver, army parachutist, explosive ordnance disposal technician and a UN Peace Keeper in Cambodia and Bosnia. 

Darcy remustered to Search and Rescue Technician in 1995 and his postings included Greenwood and Winnipeg. He served an outstanding second career. during which he was awarded the Star of Courage in 1998 for a rescue performed in the Torngat Mountains of Labrador and he was awarded the Medal of Bravery in 2008 for a rescue mission 200 miles west of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. He was awarded the Member of Military Merit in 2012.

Darcy was an outdoor enthusiast, happiest when hiking, paddling, or hunting in the woods. In addition to his impressive military career, Darcy’s accomplishments included an expedition to the North Pole that originated from landfall - a feat few have accomplished. He was the first Manitoban to walk to the North Pole, completing the 775-kilometre trek as part of a team that trekked for 51 days from Ellesmere Island.

After retiring from the Canadian Forces, Darcy was employed with Cougar Helicopters as a rescue specialist. He was working on a degree in Disaster and Emergency Management through Royal Roads University where he was expected to have passed at the top of his class. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, 4 November 2022 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home [1411 Hunt Club Road, Ottawa, ON] followed by a service in the chapel that is open to all who wish to attend. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Fund.