After more than 36 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, WO B. Burke, CD, (00149) will retire on 22 Aug 2025. A DwD reception will be held on 1 Aug at 10:00 at the Bricks & Barrel kitchen, 414 Old Highway 2, Trenton ON. If attending, please RSVP to Sgt Brian Englehart: brian.englehart@forces.gc.ca. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to the same person.

Warrant Officer Barret “Burkie” Burke—also known as the devoted husband of the late Manon Courville Burke—will retire from the Canadian Armed Forces on 22 August 2025, after an extraordinary 36 years and 10 months of loyal and dedicated service to Canada, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the Royal Canadian Military Engineer Branch. His remarkable career has spanned three trades and two service elements, with operational and domestic postings across the globe—from the Arctic to the Middle East, including Yugoslavia and Kuwait.
Born in London, Ontario, and raised in multiple military communities including CFB Petawawa, Yellowknife, and London, Barret began his life in uniform at age 41⁄2 as a Canadian Beaver. His journey continued through Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, the Canadian Army Reserves, and ultimately the Regular Force—marking an impressive 50 years of continuous uniformed service to God, Queen/King, and Country.
WO Burke’s operational portfolio is broad and impactful. Notable deployments include Bosnia (2001) with 3 RCR, and Kuwait (2016) as Camp Fire Chief and Inspector, as well as extended service at CFS Alert. Domestically, he contributed to several significant national operations: the Oka Crisis (1991), Winnipeg Floods (1997), Ice Storm (1998), Toronto Snow Clearance (1999), and BC Wildfires (2003).
Initially trained as an Armoured Crewman and Recce Trooper with the 1st Hussars, WO Burke later transitioned to Mobile Support Equipment Operator before ultimately finding his professional calling as an RCAF Fire-Fighter, a role he filled for 23 years. His postings included HMCS Ottawa, Vancouver, and Winnipeg—the latter during the Sun Me refugee vessel operation and the RCN 100th anniversary. He also served at MARPAC HQ in CFB Esquimalt, as well as deployments to FOL Yellowknife, FOL Inuvik, CFS Alert, and CFB Trenton, where he held positions such as Deputy Platoon Chief, Platoon Chief, and Chief Fire Inspector with 85 ARFF.
A lifelong volunteer, Barret’s 37+ years of community service include working with youth-at-risk programs in London, Toronto, and Montreal, and more than seven years as Lead Volunteer with S.A.R.I. Therapeutic Riding. He supported multiple cadet corps, Tim Hortons Camp Day, and numerous community and military charities across Canada. He also served as an Honour Guard flag bearer for the Royal Canadian Legion in Victoria/Colwood for three years.
While living in Cold Lake, Barret volunteered as a firefighter for five years—where he met the love of his life, Manon Courville Burke. They married on 14 December 2009 at the Graceland Chapel in Las Vegas, honeymooned in Italy (2010), and later spent HLTA in Portugal (2016). Their love spanned 18 beautiful years until Manon’s passing in 2023. Barret is a proud stepfather to Jesse and Ryan, and grandfather to Owen (2022) and Nora (2025).
Over the years, he received numerous letters of appreciation and commendation from cadet organizations, charities, and military superiors for his leadership, mentorship, and community engagement. His legacy is one of dedication, resilience, humour, and humanity.
As he retires, WO Burke does so with pride, honour, and the gratitude of all those he served and served with.
For God, Crown, and Country—thank you, WO Burke