Canadian Military Engineers Association

We regret to advise of the death of Chief Warrant Officer Alvin Norman “Al” Spruce, CD (Ret’d), of Cold Lake, AB, on 1 October 2026, at the age of 89. Al served the Canadian Military Engineers for more than 38 years as a Combat Engineer with Airborne specialty.

Born in Ingersoll ON, Al joined the Royal Canadian Engineers at the age of 16 in 1953 with the 2^nd Intake of the  Sapper Apprentices. After completing his basic Sapper training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC in 1955, Al’s first posting was to 4 Field Squadron in Werl Germany - a unit he was eventually to serve as Regimental Sergeant Major.

Returning to Canada, Al served with 1 Field Squadron in Petawawa ON for 10 years before returning to Germany and serving for the second time with 4 Field Squadron. He returned to Canada in 1970, where he was first posted to 5 Régiment du génie de combat in Valcartier QC, followed by a Regular Support Staff posting with 3 Field Engineer Regiment in Montreal, QC.

Al was next posted to 1 Airborne Field Squadron in Edmonton AB, for a three-year tour, followed by a return to 1 Field Squadron in Petawawa (now named 2 Combat Engineer Regiment), where he became the Regimental Sergeant Major.  Returning to Germany for the third time, Al was appointed Regimental Sergeant Major of 4 Combat Engineer Regiment (1982-84).

For his last posting, Al returned to Canada to Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake AB, where he served for 10 years. Retiring from the Regular Force and transferring to the Reserve Force, he supported the Cold Lake Cadet Camp for the next ten years. 

In accordance with Al’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no funeral service will be held. If desired, donations may be made to the Cold Lake Legion (1007 - 7 Ave, Cold Lake, AB T9M 0C4). Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

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.