Canadian Military Engineers Association

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Mike Hnatiuk (Ret’d), a Second World War veteran, on 12 July 2026 at the Sandy Lake (Manitoba) Personal Care Home at the age of 106 years.

The second youngest of 10 children, Mike was born on the family farm in Sandy Lake where he was to live for 101 of his 106 years. Mike left Sandy Lake at the age of 19 to enlist for the Second World War and served with the Royal Canadian Engineers in France, Belgium and Holland.

Upon returning from overseas, Mike purchased his own farm in the Sandy Lake area and followed a farming career for 40 years. Upon retiring from farming, Mike built a house in the town of Sandy Lake and lived there for 35 years. He devoted much of his time in retirement to helping fellow farmers in the area with odd jobs, to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Sandy Lake and the Royal Canadian Legion  Sandy Lake Branch 184.

Mike’s funeral service was held on 17 July 2026. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Michael’s [ Box 86, Sandy Lake, MB, R0J1X0].

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Sergeant Melvin Carl Burton, CD (Ret’d), peacefully on 11 July 2026, at the age of 85 after a long illness.

Mel was born in Rose Blanche, NL and his family moved to North Sydney, NS when he was five. Mel joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1959  with the Royal Canadian Air Force and served a 20-year career as a Firefighter with the Canadian Military Engineers. Mel’s military service took him across Canada, including postings to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu QC, Winnipeg MB, Aylmer and Borden ON and Penhold AB. This was followed by a posting to Europe at Marville, France, and Lahr, Germany. Returning to Canada, Mel was stationed in Rivers MB and Edmonton AB before his final posting at Downsview ON.

Mel retired from the Canadian Forces in 1980 and settled in Burlington, ON. In his second career, Mel was employed by Zurich Insurance Canada for 20 years as a Senior Loss Control Engineer.

Mel’s funeral service will be private with his immediate family. Mel suffered from a rare muscle disease called Sporadic Late-Onset Nemaline Myopathy. Donations in Mel’s memory may be made to support this research or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home. 
 

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Darrell Spence, MSC, CD (Ret’d) on 29 June 2026 due to a motor vehicle accident. Darrel served as a Combat Engineer with the Canadian Military Engineers for more than 27 years.

Darrell enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1995. After completing his basic Combat Engineer training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering (CFSME), he was posted to 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, where he served the majority of his career. In addition to his several tours with 2 CER, Darrell served as an instructor at CFSME at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, NB.

During his career, Darrell deployed on operations to Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Latvia. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross in 2009 for his actions in Afghanistan. In retirement, he was a strong supporter of the Deep River Legion. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Deep River Legion, Branch 436 {50 McElligott Drive, Deep River, ON}  on 11 July 2026. Guests are requested to arrive for 1400 hrs, with formal ceremonies commencing at 1500 hrs. The ceremony will begin in the curling club parking lot adjacent to the Legion, weather permitting.

For serving members, Dress Uniform No. 1A is authorized. Family members and civilian guests are welcome to attend in casual attire. Those who are unable to attend but wish to send condolences may leave cards or notes at 2 CER Regimental Operations or the Duty Centre during normal working hours (0930–1600 hrs).

A donation box will be available at the Celebration of Life. Donations may also be made by e-transfer to bfmc211.treasurer@gmail.com. Please include the wording: "CoL Donation for Darrell Spence" in the message or comment section.