We regret to announce the death of the following members of the Canadian Military Engineer family.
Contact details for some of the Next of Kin are available from the
CMEA Registrar. Please advise the Registrar if you have additional career details to add to any of the Notices.
We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Matthieu Allard, age 21, of 5e Régiment du génie de combat on 1 August 2009 in Afghanistan. Spr Allard was killed when his resupply convoy was struck by two improvised explosive devices in the Zhari district, west of Kandahar City. Born in Val D'or, Sapper Allard joined the Canadian Forces in March 2007. After completing his Combat Engineering training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering, he was posted to 5 Régiment de genie de Combat, located in Valcartier, Sapper Matthieu deployed on his first mission in Afghanistan in April 2009.
The repatriation flight arrived in Trenton on 4 August. Funeral will take place at the Saint-Edmond-de-Vassan church, a village close to Val D'Or, QC on Thursday 13 August at 1100hrs. Public visitation will be on Wednesday, 12 August from 1300 hrs to 1500 hrs at the Blais Funeral Home, 582 avenue centrale, Val D'Or, QC. Following the funerals, an interment ceremony will be held at Saint-Edmond-de-Vassan Church Cemetery.
We regret to advise of that Lloyd Arsenault died suddenly in hospital in Ottawa on 29 June 2009 at the age of 71 years. Lloyd served for 32 years with the Canadian Military Engineers. He retired in 1989 and settled in Petawawa, ON.
Funeral was on 2 July at the Malcolm, Deavitt & Binhammer Funeral Home, Pembroke.
As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Arthritis Society or the S.P.C.A would be appreciated.
Roy Barnes passed peacefully at home in Revelstoke on 10 January 2009 at 90 years old. Born in Portsmouth UK, Roy spent 16 years in the British Army, four of which were in Stalag VIII in Poland as a Prisoner of War. Immigrating to Canada in 1953, he joined the band of the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers and was stationed in Chilliwack, BC. Roy retired to Revelstoke in 1990 where he enjoyed model boat building, fishing and bowling.
We regret to advise that Master Warrant Officer R.G. (Dick) Belgrove (Retd) passed away in Chilliwack on 5 September after a lengthy illness. Dick began his long Military Engineer career as a 6th Intake Sapper Apprentice. A reception to honour Dick's life will be held at the Cultus Lake Hall at 11:30 Friday 11 September.
We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Christian Bobbitt, age 23, of 5e Régiment du génie de combat on 1 August 2009 in Afghanistan. Cpl Bobbitt was killed when his resupply convoy was struck by two improvised explosive devices in the Zhari district, west of Kandahar City. Born in La Romaine,QC, Corporal Christian Bobbitt joined the Canadian Forces in February 2006 and had served with 5e Régiment de génie de combat in Valcartier since December 2006 after completing his Combat Engineer training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering. Cpl Bobbitt had been on his first mission in Afghanistan since April 2009.
The repatriation flight arrived in Trenton on 4 August. Funeral will take place at the Catholic Chapel Ste-Jeanne D'Arc on CFB Valcartier, Tuesday 11 August at 1100hrs. Viewings will be Monday 10 August from 1900hrs to 2200hrs at the Sylvio Marceau Funeral Home, 1460 Notre-Dame, Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec.
Open to public: 1900-2200 - 10 Aug 09.
Private cremation to follow.
Superintendent Donald Neil (Don) Brown passed away in Burnaby BC, on 16 May 2009. Born in Birmingham, England in 1919, Don immigrated to Winnipeg at the age of 3 years with his family. He lived in Winnipeg until the start of WWII when he left high school and joined 12th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers. He saw action in Italy and attained the rank of sergeant major.
After the war Don went back to school and took a year of university before re-enlisting as a second lieutenant in Chilliwack. He left the Army in 1947 when he joined the BC Provincial Police [that later became part of the RCMP]. He served in Burnaby, Ottawa, Edmonton, and Vancouver - 22 of those years in the forensic laboratories. After serving 26 years with the RCMP He retired as Officer-in-Charge of Vancouver Crime Detection Laboratory with the rank of Superintendent . He authored the book: "Your Questions - But My Answers: The Scientific Examination of Questioned Documents." In 2007 the RCMP named its Edmonds community policing office after him.
A dedicated volunteer in his retirement, Don carried on as a private document examiner with much of his work being on a "no-fee" basis. He also served on the Burnaby School Board for two years, the Burnaby Council for six years, the Burnaby Parks and Recreation Commission for 10 years, President of the College for the Retired for nine years and was Chairman of the Burnaby Centennial Committee. His contributions, along with his wife Helen's resulted in their receiving Burnaby's Citizen of the Year Award in 1992 and Don was honoured as a Freeman of Burnaby in 1993. At age 81, he wrote a book about the old B.C. Provincial Police force.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, 5 June at 11:00 AM at The Bill Copeland Sports Centre, Upper Lobby - 3676 Kensington Ave., Burnaby.
In lieu of flowers, Don requested that donations be made to any of the following: Pacific Open Heart Association, P.O, Box 3979, Station Te, Burnaby, B.C. V6B 3Z4; South Burnaby Metro Club, P.O. Box 72022, 4429 Kingsway. Burnaby, B.C. V5H 4P9; Burnaby Historical Society, C/O 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby, B.C. V5G 3T6; Community College for the Retired, 6650 South Oaks Crescent, Burnaby, BC V5E 4M7.
We regret to advise that Robert Stephen Butler passed away on 27 July 2009 in Sidney, BC, after a short and courageous battle with cancer. Born in 1934 in St. John's, NFL, Robert earned a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (1958) from Nova Scotia Technical College and a Masters of Engineering (1972) from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Robert was Commanding Officer of 56 Field Squadron 1964-66
Robert was a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Newfoundland, Alberta, and British Columbia. He built and ran his own engineering consulting firm in St. John's and Corner Brook for many years before joining Stanley Associates in Calgary and became Vice President Engineering before retiring.
Robert's career achievements include such significant projects as the Alpac Pulp and Paper Mill, the Calgary Light Rail Transit System, the Old Man River Dam, and involvement in the early stages of the Confederation Bridge to PEI.
Robert was laid to rest in a private service held at Hatley Memorial Gardens in Victoria, BC.
We regret to announce the passing of Ronald ‘Bugs’ Campbell at the age of 75 on 23 January 2009 at the Glace Bay Health Care Facility.
Born in Glace Bay, Ron served with the Canadian Military Engineers for 28 years in locations that included peacekeeping in Egypt and Lebanon. After retiring from the Canadian Forces he served as commissioner.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held Sunday, 25 January from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. At Patten Funeral Home, 71 Union St., Glace Bay, NS [849-7520]. Funeral services will be held Monday, 26 January at 2:00 p.m. At St. John’s Church. Burial in St. John’s Cemetery at a later date. Donations in Ronald’s memory can be made to Every Women Centre or a charity of one’s choice.
Captain Forrest Lynn Chapman (Retd) passed away peacefully on 9 February 2009 at his home in Agassiz after a 12-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Forrest was born in Estevan, SK in 1929 and joined the Canadian Army with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in 1947. After a short period he left to pursue the carpentry trade and then joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1954. He served with the Engineers until 1989 in such locations as Germany, Egypt and Cyprus. After retirement he worked at CFB Chilliwack first as a carpenter and then as a building inspector, retiring in 1997.
A celebration of life was held at the Vedder Legion Branch 280 on 17 February 2009.
We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Karl Weldon Childs (Retd) on 20 November 2009 at his residence in Beaverdam, NB. Born in Corner Brook NL in 1959, Karl was raised in Lark Harbour, NL. He served for 29 years with the Canadian Forces as a soldier with the Prince Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry and as a carpenter with the Canadian Military Engineers. After retirement he took his carpenter skills to the Construction Engineer Section at CFB Gagetown, NB
Visitation will take place on Monday, 23 November at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in New Maryland (1224 Route 101 Highway, Nasonworth) from 2:00 - 4:00 pm and 7:00 - 9:00 pm. The funeral service will take place on Tuesday, 24 November at 11:00 am at the same location. Interment to follow in the Beaverdam Cemetery.
Donations on Karl’s behalf can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation
We regret to advise that RCAF Warrant Officer First Class, Foreman of Works James McNab Chrystal passed away in Chilliwack on 19 November 2009 at age 93. Born and raised in Vancouver, Jim was a WW II veteran and had a long post-war Construction Engineering career in the RCAF. He served with distinction in the Construction Engineering section on a number of RCAF bases.
After retirement from the Canadian Forces Jim had a ten year career as Building Manager of the Marine Building, Vancouver's landmark high rise office building. Moving to Chilliwack, he joined 879 (Earl MacLeod) RCAF Wing (Chilliwack) of the Air Force Association of Canada and was a faithful Wing member right up to the time of his demise. Jim was a generous man who gave freely to community service organizations and was active in other areas such as a Freemason, Legion, and Elks member and a community volunteer.
One of Jim’s achievements in Chilliwack was the installation of the Piper Richardson Memorial statue that resides in Veteran's Memorial Park grounds beside the Chilliwack Museum building.
Jim was also involved with the "Blue Hydrangea Living Memorial Garden" on the grounds of the Chilliwack Middle School [formerly the Chilliwack High School on Yale Road East]. This memorial was originated in 1942 to honour former students and teachers who had joined the RCAF and had lost their lives in combat during WW II. As each casualty was made known, an additional Blue Hydrangea bush was planted and there were 48 bushes by the end of the war. Throughout the ensuing years, the Garden fell into neglect and Jim lead the way to revive and rededicate the Memorial. Failing health did not allow him the energy to finish the project but colleagues completed his work. On 6 May 2009 the memorial was rededicated and now includes a special plaque that commemorates the rededication beside the photograph display of those 48 airmen. A similar ceremony will be held on the school grounds each year to remind younger generations of Canadians of the sacrifices made.
A Celebration of Life will be held on 12 December at 11:00 am. At St. Thomas Anglican Church, 46048 Gore Ave., Chilliwack, BC. Reception will follow in the Church Hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a homeless shelter or an animal shelter of your choice in Jim’s name.
We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Giovanni D'Arcangelo at CFB Gagetown on 16 November 2009. Sergeant D'Arcangelo was a Water, Fuel and Environmental Technician who, among the normal career postings in Canada, had completed a tour in Sri Lanka, two tours in Bosnia and three successive tours in Afghanistan.
A private funeral service will be held at the 17 Wing, Winnipeg chapel on Tuesday, 24 November 2009 at 10:30 am. [Attendance is limited. Please contact MWO D. Aubertin, WCE 4 Wing Cold Lake, for co-ordination]. Burial will be at Queen of Heaven Mausoleum, 3990 Portage Ave, Winnipeg. Details of a memorial service to be held at 4 Wing Cold Lake will be advised.
We regret to advise of the death of Major Alan Stanley Derrick, (Ret'd) peacefully at Providence Care in Kingston on 24 January 2009, in his 79th year. Alan was born in Eston, SK and attended high school in Kingston, ON. He graduated from RMC in 1954 and from University of McGill in 1955 with a degree in Civil Engineering. In his first posting to Chilliwack he became a rifle marksman. He was the winner of the Queen’s Medal for Champion Rifle Shots of the Armed Forces and was the high aggregate rifle marksman for 1956 and 1957 including the Bisley Team.
Following a posting to Ottawa and instructing on Militia staff courses in Kingston, AI served as a military observer in Damascus and Jerusalem with UNTSO and later with the Operations Staff at Palestine Headquarters following the Six Day Arab/Israeli War. There followed a series of postings to Toronto, Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering, and with Militia Staff in Hamilton involving Special Projects, Construction Engineering, Cadet Liaison and Recruiting.
AI retired in 1985, living first in Trenton and later in Kingston. Known for his dedication to family, friends and community. He was a strong supporter of the Canadian Military Engineer Family. In keeping with his wishes, cremation has taken place.
Family will receive friends on Tuesday 27 January from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at James Reid Funeral Home (1900 John Counter Blvd.). A celebration of Alan's life will take place on Wednesday 28 January at 11:00 am at St. Luke's Anglican Church, 236 Nelson Street, Kingston. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Parkinson Society Canada or your charity of choice.
We regret to advise of the death of "Des" Desjardins on 8 January 2009 approaching his 70th year. Des was a 5th Intake, RCE Sapper Apprentice. In retirement he was a strong supporter of the activities of the Retired Sappers and the Sapper Apprentices.
A memorial Mass followed by a reception will be held on 18 April 2009 at 1:00 PM at St.Sailes Parish 6610 Balmoral Street. Burnaby BC
We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Jean-Francois Drouin on 6 September 2009 southwest of Kandahar City, Afghanistan as the result of a roadside Improvised Explosive Device . Age 21, Corporal Drouin. Was a member of 5e Regiment de Génie de Combat, Valcartier, QC.
Repatriation took place on 9 September at 1400 hrs. Visitation will take place before the ceremony at a time to be confirmed at F-X Bouchard Inc Funeral Home, 2258 Avenue Larue, Québec, G1C 4A3. More details will be provided as they become available. VIPs to please register through Soldat McMurray via email (Isabelle.McMurray@forces,gc.ca) or at 418-844-5000 x 5707.
We regret to advise that Corporal Martin Dubé was Killed in Action as a result of an explosion of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Afghanistan on 14 June 2009. Corporal Dubé was a member of 5e Régiment de genie de combat based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier and was serving as a member of the Joint Task Force Headquarters. The incident occurred in the vicinity of Panjwayi District, approximately 20 km southwest of Kandahar City. Corporal Dubé was responding to a call to neutralize two IEDs when one of them exploded.
Cpl Dubé's Military funeral will be held at CFB Valcartier (Ste-Jeanne d'Arc Catholic Chapel), on Tuesday 23 June 2009 at 1130hrs.
C'est avec beaucoup de regret que nous avons appris tôt dimanche le 14 juin le décès du cpl Martin Dubé en Afghanistan. Le cpl Dubé était technicien en enlèvement des engins explosifs de circonstance pour le 53e Escadron de lutte contre les engins explosifs de circonstance, au 5e RGC. Au moment du décès, il était à l'oeuvre dans une tâche de détection et neutralisation près de la région de Panjwai / Zhari. À ces amis et ses pairs de la branche, nous partageons votre peine pour la perte du cpl Martin Dubé qui, par son courage et son dévouement, a toujours su mettre en pratique les valeurs dans lesquelles nous nous reconnaissons.
Martin était reconnu pour son engagement face à la mission en Afghanistan. Motivé, mature et sérieux, c’est avec énormément d’intérêt qu’il est devenu expert dans l’enlèvement d’engins explosifs de circonstance. Lors des entraînements et tâches, il s’est toujours démarqué par son calme même dans les situations les plus exigeantes. Martin était un adepte d’art martiaux et dans une condition physique exemplaire. Au travail, ses pairs se souviendront de lui comme un militaire très jovial sur qui ils pouvaient toujours compter. Il laisse dans le deuil son père Roger Dubé, sa mère Marie-Paule Dubé, son frère militaire cpl Vincent Dubé, les membres de sa famille élargie, sa copine, ses pairs du 5e Régiment du Génie de combat et la branche du Génie militaire canadien.
Les funérailles militaires du Cpl Martin Dubé sont seront à la BFC Valcartier, mard le 23 juin 09 à 11h30 à la chapelle catholique Ste-Jeanne d'Arc.
Master Warrant Officer Einar Elverum, MMM, CD (Ret'd) passed peacefully in his 74th year on 8 January 2009. A memorial service was held on 7 February in the Horizon Room, at the Sunrise Golf Course, 5640 - 188th St., in Surrey.
We regret to advise of the off-duty drowning death of Private Shane Fair on 15 May 2009. Shane was a university student and Class A reservist with 32 Combat Engineer Regiment in Toronto.
Visitation will be at Sherrin Funeral Home, 873 Kingston Rd, Toronto (416-698-2861) on Wednesday 3 June at 15:00-18:00 hrs. Funeral will be at St John's (Norway)Anglican Church, Woodbine Ave and Kingston Rd, Toronto, on Thursday, 4 June at 13:00 hrs
We regret to advise of the death of CWO Jake Froese (Ret’d), a resident of the Birchwood Retirement Home in Chilliwack, on 21 January 2009. Jake was a former Royal Canadian Engineer Chief Warrant Officer, Foreman of Works. There will be no public service.
We regret to advise that CWO Frank Froese (Retd), died in Prince George, BC on 28 August 2009. Born in 1925 in Winkler, MB, Frank passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness. A WW II veteran, he served a full career as a Field Engineer and whose appointments included former CFB Chilliwack Base Chief Warrant Officer as well as Squadron Sergeant Major of 2 Field Squadron and 4 Field Squadron.
No funeral by request and no flowers or donations please. Burial will be at Royal Canadian Legion Wall Cemetery in Chilliwack, BC. Frank's ashes will be placed in Royal Canadian Legion Wall Cemetery in Chilliwack on 19 September. No service but all are invited to meet the family to pay your respects at 2:00 pm at Branch #4 Royal Canadian Legion, Mary St., Chilliwack. Dress is casual.
We regret to advise that Master Warrant Officer John F. Gow (Retd) of Chilliwack passed away 24 February 2009 in his 76th year after a lengthy battle with cancer. John joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1948 and retired in 1974.
We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Sean David Greenfield in the Zhari district west of Kandahar City, Afghanistan on 31 January 2009.
Sapper Sean David Greenfield, 25, was a combat engineer with 24 Field Engineer Squadron, 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, serving with the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group.
Sapper Greenfield was born in Pinawa, MB and grew up there. Petawawa, ON became his new hometown after the family moved there when his father began work at AECL's Chalk River Laboratories. After graduation from high school in Petawawa in 2001, Sean attended Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Technology in London ON and graduated in 2005 in Graphic Design. He joined the Canadian Forces in December 2005 and, after completing his military engineer training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering, was posted to 2 Combat Engineer Regiment at CFB Petawawa in February 2007. While training for deployment, in 2007 he was selected for and completed Combat Diver training. Sean deployed on his first overseas tour with 24 Field Squadron in September 2008 as an Engineer Field Section Driver.
Visitation for family and close friends of Spr Greenfield will be at Malcolm, Deavitt and Binhammer Funeral Home at 141 Renfrew Street, Pembroke on Friday, 6 January 1900 to 2100 hrs. Dress is Service Dress with Ribbons or equivalent civilian attire. The Commander Land Forces Central Area will privately present the Memorial Crosses, Memorial Scroll and Memorial Bar at 1830 hrs before the visitation..
Funeral and Memorial Service will be at CFB Petawawa RC Chapel (St Francis of Assisi) Saturday, 7 February at 1100 hrs. Dress: Service Dress with Medals. Reception to follow at the Twin Rivers Golf Club next to the chapel. Interment will be Beechwood National Military Cemetery, Ottawa on Monday, 9 February at 1400 hrs. Dress is Service Dress with Medals
We regret to advise of the death of MWO John Edward Hagerman, age 66, at Chilliwack General Hospital on 25 September 2009 after a very short but courageous struggle with cancer.
John was born in Kingston, ON and joined the Royal Canadian Engineers with the 9th Intake of Sapper Apprentices in 1960 at the age of 16. He served 32 years as Canadian Military Engineer in our field units at CFB Chilliwack, CFB Petawawa, and CFB Lahr, Germany. John retired in 1992 as Sergeant Major with Base Operations, CFB Chilliwack.
Funeral Service was held on 2 October 2009 at Vedder View Gardens Cemetery, Watson Road, Chilliwack. Reception followed at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 280. In lieu of flowers, donations in John Hagerman's memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Robin Andrew Hill, CD (Retd) at home on 15 October 2009 at the age of 51.
Born in Hamilton, ON , Robin was an Electrical Generating Generating Systems Technician who served the Canadian Armed Forces for 24 years. His last rotation was in 1994 - 1995 in Bosnia as a peacekeeper.
No visitation by request. A celebration of Robin's life will be held on Tuesday, October 20 at 2:00 pm in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow Street, Truro, NS. Family flowers only. Donations in his memory may be made to the Nova Scotia Cancer Centre, Halifax.
We regret to advise that Major (Ret'd) WG Hipson (Ret'd) passed away on 17 November 2009 in Calgary, AB. Bill had a full Military Engineer career of 35 years with a highlight being his appointment as Base Construction Engineer Calgary 1972-73.
Funeral Service will be at Fosters Chapel, 3220 4 St NW, Calgary, AB on Monday, 23 November at 1:00 pm.
Warrant Officer Murray "Moe" Lawrence Kennedy (Retd) died suddenly in hospital on 28 February 2009 at the age of 62. "Moe" joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1964 and served in most of the Engineer field units: 22 Field Squadron, 4 Field Squadron, 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, and 1 Engineer Support unit. He joined the NDHQ/DCMEM staff in Ottawa in 1989 and retired in 1993. He then continued in this work with Water Purification equipment as a contractor until retiring in 2008.
Friends are invited to visit at the St.Laurent Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 1200 Ogilvie Road at Aviation Parkway on Friday, 6 March 2009 from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel on Saturday, 7 March at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Beechwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation would be appreciated by the family.
We regret to advise of the death of Brigadier General William Kirby Lye MBE, MiD, CD on 6 May 2009 in his 91st year. Bgen Lye was an RMC graduate who went overseas during the Second World War with 16th Field Company and was later Second-in-Command of 1st Field Company. In England he was also Chief Instructor of the Engineer Reinforcement Unit. He was Mentioned in Despatches and appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his distinguished service in 1944 as Staff Officer Royal Engineers, Headquarters 2 Canadian Corps.
Bgen Lye’s post-war appointments include: Deputy Commander, Canadian Forces Base Units, Middle East (United Nations Emergency Force); Commander, Camp Chilliwack and Commandant, Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering; Commander Canadian Base Units (Europe); Commander, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island Area; Chief of Staff, Administration, at Headquarters Mobile Command; Senior Assistant Adjutant General and Directors General Ordnance Systems and Land Operations in Canadian Forces Headquarters. Bgen Lye retired in 1973 after his assignment as Commandant Royal Military College, Kingston.
Friends are invited to visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street, Ottawa on Monday, 11 May from 7 to 9 p.m. Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Anglican Church, 1230 Bank Street, Ottawa on Tuesday, 12 May at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Salvation Army would be appreciated
We regret to advise of the accidental death of Corporal Jonathan P. Manuel of Mapping and Charting Establishment on 23 December 2009 while on vacation. Cpl Manuel was 23 years old and had recently arrived at MCE to undergo training as a Geomatics Technician. He joined the Canadian Forces in 2002 as a reservist Artilleryman and two years later transferred to the Regular Force in the Artillery. In Nov 2005, upon completion of basic training, he was posted to 5e Régiment d’Artillerie Légère du Canada, Valcartier, QC and deployed to Afghanistan July 2007 to March 2008. After a short period of return to civilian life, Cpl Manuel rejoined in September 2009 as a Geomatics Technician where he was awaiting training.
The interment ceremony will be held at Beechwood National Military Cemetery at 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa on Friday 8 January at 1400hrs. A private funeral service will be held for the family and the official mourning party prior to the interment. There will be no reception following the interment.
We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Steven Marshall on 30 October 2009 while on foot patrol in Panjwai district in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. Aged 24 and a native of Calgary, Steven joined the army in 2007 and completed his Combat Engineer training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Camp Gagetown, NB. Sapper Marshall was a member of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment from Edmonton, AB and had just recently started his deployment in Afghanistan.
Sapper Marshall's funeral will be held on Tuesday, 10 November at 1:00 p.m. at Centre Street Church (Main Campus), 3900 2nd St NE, Calgary, AB [403-293-3900]. Interment will follow at approximately 3:00 p.m. at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens, 17 Ave SW & Lower Springbank Rd, Calgary [403-217-3700 or David King at 403- 619-7691]. Reception at Mewata Armouries, 801 - 11th Street SW, Calgary.
We regret to advise of the death of Capt Patrick McGuire (Retired), 42 yrs old, on 22 Nov 09. The cause of the death is still unknown as of now. Capt McGuire was a CF and CME member from 15 Mar 84 to 29 Jun 09. Before his release from the CF in Jun 09, he was a member of the 9 Engineer Squadron in Rouyn-Noranda, QC.
Capt McGuire leaves behind his wife Andree Leblanc, his children: Keira and Alex, his brothers: Cary (Rachel Charette) and Micheal (Chantal Gilbert), his parents: Jerome McGuire (Suzanne Bergeron) and Claudette Morin, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law and many other family members and friends.
Viewings will be Friday 27 Nov 09 from 1400hrs to 1700hrs and 1900hrs to 2200hrs at the Complexe Funéraire Ste-Bernadette, 515 ave Chénier, Rouyn-Noranda, Qc.
Funerals will take place on Sat 28 Nov at 1400hrs at the church St-Joseph, in Rouyn-Noranda, Qc.
C'est avec beaucoup de regret que je vous announce le décès d'un ancien officier du génie de combat, le capt Patrick McGuire (retraité), décédé le 22 nov 09 à l'âge de 42 ans. La cause du décès demeure inconnue pour l'instant. Le capt McGuire a été membre des FC et du GMC du 15 mars 84 au 29 juin 09. Sa dernière affectation avant sa libération en juin 09 a été avec le 9e Escadron du Génie de Rouyn-Noranda, QC.
Capt McGuire laisse dans le deuil son épouse Andrée Leblanc, ses enfants: Keira et Alex, ses frères: Cary (Rachel Charette) et Micheal (Chantal Gilbert), ses parents: Jérôme Mc Guire (Suzanne Bergeron) et Claudette Morin, neveux, nièces ainsi que de nombreux parents et amis.
Il sera exposé le vendredi 27 novembre 2009 de 14h00 à 17h00 et 19h00 à 22h00 au Complexe Funéraire Ste-Bernadette, 515 ave Chénier, Rouyn-Noranda, Qc.
Les funérailles auront lieu le samedi 28 novembre 2009 à 14h00 en l'église St-Joseph de Rouyn-Noranda.
We regret to advise of the death of RCAF Group Captain Kenneth Alexander McLeod ( Ret'd) who died peacefully on 8 May 2009. Ken served as Navigator in the RCAF during WW II until 1945. After the war he resumed his studies at the University of Manitoba and graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. Ken rejoined the RCAF in 1948 in the Construction Engineering Branch and retired in 1964 as a Group Captain. He then pursued a Public Service career at National Defence Headquarters.
Ken’s career at NDHQ included appointments as Director General of Engineering and Construction, Director General Quartering, Director General Construction and Director General of Properties and Utilities.
Friends and family are invited to visit at the West Chapel of Hulse, Playfair and McGarry, 150 Woodroffe, Ave. At Richmond Rd. 10 May from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. A Funeral Service to celebrate Ken's life will be held in the Chapel on Monday, 11 May 2009 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the CNIB would be appreciated by the family.
We regret to advise of the death of Keith (Chief) Miller in Chilliwack Hospital on 3 March 2009. A celebration of life for Keith Miller will take place at the Vedder Legion at 1330hrs on Wednesday 18 March.
We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant George Miok in Afghanistan on 30 December 2009. A member of 41 Combat Engineer Regiment, based in Edmonton, Sergeant Miok was a Reservist who taught at St. Cecilia's Junior High School in Edmonton. Aged 28, Sgt. George Miok joined the military at 17 in his Grade 12 year and served as a reservist while earning his teaching degree at the University of Alberta. Sgt. Miok had previously deployed to Bosnia in 2002 and to Afghanistan for the first time in 2006. Sergeant Miok was on his second tour in Afghanistan and was serving as an Infantry Section Commander with the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team.
The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, 09 January 2010 at 1330 hrs at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parrish
(http://www.caedm.ca/parishes/sherwood-park) , 13 Brower Drive, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 1Y7 [780-467-5470] (Located just East of Edmonton).
Sapper Kurt Norton passed away 30 April 2009 in Suffield at the age of 25. Born in New Westminster, BC, Kurt enrolled in the Canadian Forces in August 2007. After completing his Combat Engineering trades training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering, Kurt was posted to 1 Combat Engineering Regiment in September 2008. He was preparing for his first operational deployment on Task Force 3-09.
Viewing on 11 May from 1930-2000hrs for the general public at Columbia Bowell Funeral Home, 219 6th Street New Westminster, BC (604) 521-4881. Funeral Service will be held Tuesday,12 May 2009 at 11:00am at St. Francis de Sales Church, 6610 Balmoral St., Burnaby, BC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
We regret to advise of the death of Major Yannick Pepin on 6 September 2009 southwest of Kandahar City, Afghanistan as the result of a roadside Improvised Explosive Device. Age 36, Major Pepin was a member of 5e Regiment de Génie de Combat, Valcartier, QC.
Repatriation took place on 9 September at 1400 hrs. Funeral will be on Wednesday, 16 September 2009 at 1130hrs at the Ste-Jeanne D'arc Chapel on CFB Valcartier. Accompanied attendance will be limited to family members, service members who knew Maj Pepin or the family and VIPs. Participants please register through Soldat McMurray via email (Isabelle.McMurray@forces,gc.ca) or at 418-844-5000 x 5707.
Visitation will be on 15 September from 1900hrs to 2200hrs and on 16 September from 0900hrs to 1100hrs at the Complexe Funéraires Sylvio Marceau, 1460 rue Notre-Dame, Ancienne-Lorette, QC.
We regret to advise of the passing of Master Warrant Officer Alan Pernitzky, Construction Engineering Supervisor, 15 Wing Moose Jaw as the result of a car accident on 8 September 2009. Funeral Service will be held on Monday, 14 September at 1300 hrs (local) at Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane, Moose Jaw SK.
We regret to advise of the death of John "Pinky" Richardson after a brief illness, on 11 June 2009, at the age of 64 years. John was a former Heavy Equipment Operator who served a full career with the Canadian Military Engineers.
A Memorial Service in memory of John will be held on 24 June 2009 at 1:00 pm at Rushnell Funeral Center in Trenton, ON [60 Division St, (613) 392-2111]
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of John can made to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, 4480 Oak St., B321 Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4 or to the SPCA.
We regret to advise of the accidental death of Master Corporal David E. Roberts (Retd) on 9 March 2009 at the age of 54 as the result of fire on his property near the community of Smoky Lake, AB.
Born in Leamington, ON David was raised in South Windsor and attended Vincent Massey secondary school. He entered the military immediately after graduation. David served for 27 years with the Canadian Military Engineers, much of it as an Airborne Sapper with the Airborne Field Squadron and 2 Combat Engineer Regiment. His tours included Cyprus, Qatar during the first Gulf War, Bosnia and Somalia. David's last tour was with 1 Combat Engineer Regiment before his retirement eight years ago.
The family received friends on 4 April 2009 at the Windsor Chapel Funeral Home. There was a Memorial and Veteran's service under the auspices of the Windsor Veteran's Memorial Committee to celebrate Dave's life
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society (for Leukemia Research) would be greatly appreciated by the family.
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the sudden and untimely passing of our Colonel Commandant, Colonel Roger Kenwood St. John, OMM, CD (Retd) on 15 September 2009 in Royal Columbian Hospital, New Westminster, BC in his 65th year. Colonel St. John had been the Canadian Military Engineer Branch Colonel Commandant since January 2008.
Colonel St. John was born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1944. In 1959 he joined the Royal Westminster Regiment and subsequently enrolled in the Regular Officer Training Programme in 1966 while attending the University of British Columbia. He graduated with distinction in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science, Forestry. After graduation he undertook training at the Canadian Forces Fire Academy and his first appointment was as the Fire/Crash Rescue Chief at CFB Montreal. He went on to serve his country with true Engineering spirit during tours across Canada and Europe as well as on several United Nations missions in Cyprus, Pakistan, and Bosnia.
In 1972 he was assigned to 1 Airborne Field Squadron in Edmonton, AB. This posting included a peacekeeping tour in Cyprus in 1974. In 1975 he was promoted to Major and posted to CFB Gagetown as the Commanding Officer of 22 Field Squadron. This was followed by his assignment to NATO’s Central Army Group Headquarters in Heidelberg, West Germany in 1977.
In 1980 Colonel St. John returned to Canada to attend Staff College in Toronto. This was followed by his assignment to Headquarters, 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in Calgary, AB as G4. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1982 and returned to the Staff College as a member of the Directing Staff. In 1985 he was appointed as the Base Administration Officer of CFB Calgary where he was involved in a number of major projects including the ‘Museum of the Regiments’ and assisting in the provision of military support to the Calgary Winter Olympics. In recognition of the instrumental role he played in creating the Calgary Centennial Arena and the Calgary Military Museum he was awarded an Honorary ‘Citizen of the Year’ from the City of Calgary in 1987. His citation notes that he had "emerged as a model of good citizenship, forging a relationship between the citizens of Calgary and the members of CFB Calgary."
In 1988 he was promoted to Colonel and posted to National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa as the Director of Construction Engineering Control. In 1989 he was assigned as the Chief of Staff of a United Nations humanitarian mine awareness and clearance training mission in Pakistan for Afghan refugees.
In 1991 Colonel St. John was posted to CFB Montreal as the Chief Engineer of Mobile Command. He was subsequently selected to attend the National Defence College in Kingston, ON in 1993 and was then appointed as Base Commander of CFB Chilliwack. At Chilliwack he oversaw the base from 1994 until its closure in 1998. During the closure period he was assigned as the Deputy Engineer/Corps Engineer Brigade Commander of NATO’s Implementation Force in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
In 1998 Colonel St. John retired from the Canadian Forces and formed his own consulting company that specialized in emergency management and business continuation planning. He also undertook several mine action contracts for the Department Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the Canadian International Development Agency in the Balkans and Africa.
After his retirement from the Canadian Forces, Roger enthusiastically involved himself in the community of Chilliwack - giving his time, energy and passion to many great organizations including; Rotary, Community Services, Chilliwack Hospice Society, BC Children’s Hospital and Big Brothers. Colonel St. John was a past President of the Rotary Club of Chilliwack and had been extensively involved in community service projects. He was a member of numerous associations and had served on the Board of the British Columbia Corps of Commissionaires, Chilliwack Big Brothers, the Fraser Valley Regional District Planning Committee, and the Chilliwack Hospice Society Gala Committee. His enormous efforts were recognized in his being named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International.
Colonel St. John was appointed Colonel Commandant of the Canadian Military Engineers on 16 January 2008. He was passionate about the Engineers and took his duties very seriously. He thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with a new generation of Engineers and spoke often of his pride in their accomplishments.
The memorial service for Col Roger K. St. John will take place on Monday 28 September 2009 at the First Avenue Christian Assembly Church, 46510 First Avenue, Chilliwack, BC. Guests are asked to arrive by 1:30 PM for the start of the service at 1:30 PM. Dress for Serving Members is Service Dress 1A (with medals). Retired Members are encouraged to wear blazer/gray flannels (with medals). Guests are advised to bring a jacket and comfortable footwear for the open-air reception immediately following the service at approximately 4:00 PM at Case de Librico, 44843 South Sumas Rd, Chilliwack.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wheelchair Foundation Canada (www.wheelchairfoundation.org) or the Military Families Fund (www.militaryfamiliesfund.ca).
Condolences sent by Canada Post should be addressed:
The St John Family
c/o Adjutant
1 Combat Engineer Regiment
PO Box 10500 Station Forces
Edmonton AB T5J 4J5
Email condolences can be sent to the family via Lt Lu Li : Lu.Li@forces.gc.ca.
We regret to advise that Major Victor Swanberg, CD (Retd) passed away on 4 November 2009 at the age of 87 years. Victor was born in Calgary and was a veteran of WW II as both aircrew and as a Military Engineer. After the war, he served for sixteen years with the University of Calgary. Major Swanberg was the Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of 33rd Field Engineer Squadron from 1995 to 1999.
At Victor’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial services. A private graveside service was held. Memorial tributes may be made directly to the Salvation Army or to the Calgary Humane Society.
Captain Charles Edward Whitten, BSc. Mil., BA.Sc, P.Eng (Retd) died at Toronto on 21 May 2009 after a short illness. Born in 1923 in Montreal, Charles graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in 1942. He served with the Royal Canadian Engineers and Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada during WWII and participated in the liberation of Holland. After the war and graduation from the University of Toronto in 1948, Chuck worked at Canadian Car and Foundry in Montreal, returning to Toronto in 1951 to work at Continental Can of Canada where he rose to the level of Mill Manager. He then began a long career at Canadian Wallpaper (Reed) reaching the position of Vice President of Manufacturing. Chuck also worked as a project manager for Reed Limited and later as a consultant.
Friends called at the Trull Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 2704 Yonge Street on 26 May and the funeral service was held in the chapel on 27 May. In lieu of flowers, remembrances made to the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.
We regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Julius Joel Wolfe on 10 January 2009. Born in Montreal in 1917, Colonel Wolfe was educated in Montreal public schools and majored in Agricultural Engineering at Macdonald College, School of Agriculture. He enlisted as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers in October 1941 and was commissioned as a Lieutenant a year later. Lieutenant Wolfe served with the 738 Army Troop Company Royal Engineers and in Italy with the 643 Field Company, Royal Engineers 1944-45. He was promoted to Captain in June 1945.
In 1953 Colonel Wolfe enlisted in 3 Field Engineer Regiment (Militia). Promoted to Major in 1954, he was appointed Second-in-Command in 1961. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he was appointed Commanding Officer 1963-66. During this tour he commanded the military engineer operation to defuse and destroy a number of terrorist bombs placed in mail boxes throughout the city of Westmount. Colonel Wolfe was appointed Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of 3 Field Engineer Regiment in 1992 and was subsequently appointed Honorary Colonel of the Regiment in 1995.
Colonel Wolfe formed the Jewish War Veterans of Canada and was elected First National Commander 1968-1972. In 1972 he was elected President (Eastern Region), retiring in 1979 as Honorary President of the Eastern Region. He was a member of Bnai-Brith of Canada and the United Services Club Montreal for more than 30 years. Colonel Wolfe was an active member and supporter of the Military Engineers Association of Canada. He was awarded the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal in 1993 and was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2000.
Funeral service from Paperman & Sons, 3888 Jean Talon St. W., on Thursday, 15 January at 1:00 p.m. Burial at the Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom Congregation Section, Eternal Gardens Cemetery, Beaconsfield. Shiva private. In lieu of gifts, donations in his memory may be made to the Association for the Soldiers of Israel, (800)433-6226, or www.asicanada.org