Canadian Military Engineers Association

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Meleme Joseph Nelson McGraw, CD (Ret’d) of Miramichi, NB, at Percy’s Place, Miramichi, on 11 September 2026, at the age of 92. Meleme started his Regular Force military career as a Sapper but remustered to the Physical Training Instructor occupation, where he served most of his career.

Born in Port Elgin, NB, Meleme served the Canadian Armed Forces for over 30 years. He joined the Militia with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps in 1949 but transferred to the  Royal Canadian Engineers of the Regular Force five years later.

After his training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering at Camp Chilliwack, BC, Meleme re-mustered to the Physical Training Instructor trade. He later served in the following locations: Gagetown, NB; Saint-Jean, QC; Gagetown, NB; Halifax, NS; St. Margarets, NB; and Chatham, NB. 

Meleme retired from the Canadian Forces in 1984 and then worked at the New Brunswick Corrections Centre in Miramichi for 12 years, teaching in programs for Correctional Officers, Youth Care Workers, and Industrial and Retail Security Officers.  He retired in 1996.

Meleme was a founding member of the Miramichi Chapter of the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association.

By request, there will be no visitation.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Michael’s Basilica, Miramichi, NB, on Thursday, 17 September 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Saint Michael’s Cemetery.
As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Ralph Edward Donaldson, CD (Ret'd) at his home in Lantz, NS, on 10 September 2026, at 92.

Born in Halifax, NS,  Ralph joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at 19 and served for 27 years with the RCAF and the Canadian Military Engineers. Over the years, Ralph was stationed at; Winnipeg MB, Grostenquin (France), Ottawa ON, Greenwood NS, Chibougamu PQ, Red Deer AB, and then back to Ottawa. Ralph also deployed on a six-month tour with the United Nations peacekeepers in Ismailia, Egypt. 

After his uniformed service, Ralph joined the Public Service and continued his engineering work at the National Defence Medical Centre in Ottawa. After a second retirement, Ralph returned to his family roots in Nova Scotia. 

Helping and volunteering were important to Ralph. He was a Mason and a Philae Shriner as a member of Elmsdale Masonic Temple (C.W. Saunders Lodge 125) and was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. Some of the organizations he worked with were: Scouts Canada, the Anglican Church, Habitat for Humanity and the Royal Canadian Legion. 

Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 7:00 to 9:00 pm on Monday, 14 September 2026, at Ettinger Funeral Home {2812 Highway 2, Shubenacadie, NS} from where a funeral service will be held 2:00 pm ATL (1 pm EST) on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.

No flowers, please. Memorial donations can be made to the Colchester East-Hants Hospice Society {89 Queen St, Truro, NS B2N 2B2)} Habitat for Humanity, The Victorian Order of Nurses, The Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.  
A livestream of the funeral service can be viewed HERE. 

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Sergeant Erven Louie Cestnick, CD (Ret’d), on 7 September 2026 at the age of 82. 

Born in New Waterford, NS, Erven joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1961 and trained in electronics before remustering to Firefighter. His first posting was Chatham, NB, followed by RCAF Station Marville, France. From there, he served at Bagotville, QC; Greenwood, NS; Goose Bay, NL; and Moose Jaw, SK.  When Moose Jaw closed, Erven began a new phase of his firefighting career when he joined the Public Service Fire Service at CFS Dana, SK.

At CFS Dana, Erven served as the Station Fire Chief, Fire Inspector, and Safety Officer. When the radar stations closed, he transferred to CFB Cornwallis, NS. When CFB Cornwallis closed in 1994, he retired with 10 years of Public Service. 

During his service in Goose Bay, Erven received a Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation, and he received a Base Commander's Commendation while at CFB Cornwallis.

Funeral arrangements will be advised when known. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home