CME Family Last Post

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Joseph Wilfred René Gratton CD (Ret'd), suddenly, at home on 6 February 2016.

René was born in Verdun, QC in 1953. He graduated from high school in 1971 and joined the Canadian Forces that summer. Rene served with the Canadian Military Engineers for more than 26 years as an Electrical Generator Systems Technician. He served in Canada, from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic Oceans, in Europe and in the Middle East. Proud of his years of service, René retired in 1998.

After retirement René was employed at Wal-Mart for thirteen years and fully retired in 2012.

A service for René will be held on Saturday, at 11:00 a.m. The service will be at St. John’s Anglican Church in Sardis,BC ^{{khFeb2016}[zsd]}

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Sean Gregory McClintock CD (Ret'd), suddenly at his home, on Tuesday, 2 February 2016, in his 47^th year.

Sean enlisted in 1988 and served his country as a Combat Engineer for over 20 years. He served mostly as a member of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment - first in Chilliwack BC and then in Edmonton AB. He was also stationed at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, AB.

During his service Sean deployed on a number of overseas mission. His decorations demonstrate this extensive deployed service: United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observer Mission 1991, NATO-Former Yugoslavia Bar 1992, United Nations Protection Force Yugoslavia 1991-95, NATO-Kosovo Bar, Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal, and the South West Asia Service Medal.

Friends will be received at the James L. Pedlar Funeral Home, 1292 Pelham Street, Fonthill , ON on Sunday, 7 February from 7-9 pm with a Legion service taking place at 6:30 pm that evening. The Memorial service to honour Sean's life will take place at the funeral home on Monday, 8 February at 2:00 pm with visitation from 12-2:00 pm.   As a courtesy to the family, please no children.

Donations may be made to Wounded Warriors Foundation Canada or Toronto Sick Children's Hospital. Online condolences may be shared at www.pedlarfuneralhome.ca^{khFeb2016}

We regret to advise of the death of Captain George Edward Doyle CD (Ret’d), in his sleep on 1 February 2016 after a short battle with cancer. Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1933, George emigrated to Canada in 1957 and joined the Canadian Army in 1958. He served the Canadian Military Engineers for more than 30 years – mostly as a Field engineer in the Field Squadrons, including a deployment to Cyprus. George served in the ranks in almost every capacity in the field units and achieved the rank of Master Warrant Officer. For his meritorious service George was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal

After completing his basic Sapper training, George was posted to 3 Field Squadron, Chilliwack (1958 - 1960) followed by a three-year tour with 4 Field Squadron in Germany (1960 – 1963). He then returned to 3 Field Squadron, Chilliwack for a long 10-year tour (1963 - 1973). After this tour he moved on to 1 Field Squadron Petawawa, (1973 - 1975). Promotion to Sergeant in 1975 saw him back in Germany with 4 Field Squadron/Combat Engineer Regiment (1975 - 1981) during which time he was promoted to Warrant Officer and then Master Warrant Officer.

In 1981 George was accepted into the Limited Duty Officer/ Commissioning from the Ranks program and spent his first year as a Commissioned Officer in National Defence Headquarters. Following this short tour he was assigned as the Regular Support Staff Officer with 56^th Field Squadron in St. Johns, NFL (1982 - 1986). This was followed by a two-year assignment with Base Operations, CFB Chilliwack where he was responsible for Training Co-ordination and management of the Ranges & Training Areas. George retired in 1988.

The family invites friends and colleagues to join them in celebrating George’s life on what would have been his 83rd birthday. A Celebration of Life/Wake, will be held 18 February 2016 at 2 pm to 8 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion# 280, 5661 Vedder Road, Chilliwack, BC. Light supper is provided.

Condolences may be sent to: http://www.wiebeandjeskefh.com/obituaries.cfm ^{khFeb2016}

We regret to advise of the death of Captain Harold “Hal” Rudd (Ret’d) P.Eng, peacefully, on Sunday, 31 January 2016 at age 101, at Toronto's Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Harold was a WW II Royal Canadian Engineer veteran with a speciality in Tunnelling.

Harold was born in 1914 on a farm in Guelph Township, ON. He attended the local one-room public school and Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute.  To be able to attend university he worked as a mining labourer at the McIntyre Mine in Timmins and became a trained miner. In 1935 he started his mining engineering program at the University of Toronto with the summers spent working at MacLeod Cockshutt and Little Long Lac gold mines in Geraldton, ON. In 1937, while still an undergraduate university student, Harold became their Chief Underground Surveyor. In 1939, he worked as a mine surveyor at Steep Rock Iron Mines. He graduated as a Mining Engineer in 1940 and was appointed Underground Shift Boss that same year.

Harold enlisted in the Canadian Army with the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1942. After his officer training at Brockville, ON he was assigned as Range Supervisor for the testing and training at the Bren Gun Range in Camp Petawawa, ON. He was sent to England in 1943 and joined No. 2 Tunnelling Company where he contributed his Mining Engineering expertise towards innovative solutions to Military Engineering problems. Projects included defensive and protective works to support combat troops, road construction, development of “FIDO (for fog dispersal at airfields) and the construction of “PLUTO” (the cross-channel pipeline project to deliver fuel to the advancing Allied forces after D-Day). 

Harold was hospitalised with pneumonia in May 1944 and returned to England for recovery. He was assigned  to a drillers’ training detachment in The Isle of Wight  when he recovered. He eventually rejoined the Tunnellers in Belgium in December 1944. In the last stages of the war in May 1945 he was charged with the demolition of the massive German concrete E-boat pens at Ostend, BE that previous heavy aerial bombing had failed to damage.

After the closing down of the Canadian Tunnelling Companies in July 1945 Harold was transfered to the 2^nd Field Company RCE for his eventual return to Canada. After demobilization he resumed his professional mining career in Northern Ontario with Macleod Cockshutt Gold Mines.  In 1955 he was appointed General Manager at McLeod and remained in that position until 1967. He was a key advocate for the development of the new Geraldton and District Hospital. Harold moved to Toronto in 1967 and began work for Patino NV Mines with mining operations in Chibougamou, QC. He served as President from 1976-1980.  After retirement, Harold worked as a mining consultant for Watts, Griffis and McOuat.

Harold was a member of The Masonic Temple Geraldton, Kenogamisis Lodge # 656 and was installed as Worshipful Master in both 1958 and 1965.  He was an active volunteer at the Sunnybrook veterans' care facility and was a longtime member of the Canadian Institute of Mining, the Professional Engineers of Ontario and the Royal Canadian Legion, Fort York Branch.

The family will receive friends at The Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles - Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) on Tuesday, 9 February 2016 at 1:00 p.m., followed by a reception. Private family interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated. ^{khFeb2016}

We regret to advise of the death of Major William James Milhausen, MiD (Ret’d), peacefully on 31 January 2016 in his 99^th year in Toronto.

A Royal Canadian Engineer veteran of the Second World War, He was co-author of the book: “Yet Another River to Cross” - The Royal Canadian Engineers in the Italian Campaign 1943-1945.” 

Bill was born in Moosejaw, SK and raised in Manitoba. After completing his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1940 he worked for six months as a draftsman with the Surveys Branch of the federal Department of Mines and Natural Resources. In January 1941 he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE). After his initial training at Petawawa and promotion to Lieutenant, he was posted to the A6 Canadian Engineer Training Centre at Dundurn, SK as an instructor. Bill went overseas to England in March 1942 and embarked for Sicily and Italy in 1943.

Bill was with 1^st Canadian Corps Troops at the start of the Italian Campaign and then transferred to 1^st Canadian Infantry Division Engineers with 4^th Field Company, RCE where he won a Mention in Dispatches. Later in the campaign, he transferred to 3^rd Field Company, RCE as Second-in-Command with the rank of Captain. He stayed with that unit for the remainder of the action in Italy and in March 1945 his unit was transferred to the First Canadian Corps in Northwest Europe. Bill joined the Allied advance through Northwest Europe and took part in the liberation of Holland. Bill reports he was the first Canadian to enter Amsterdam when it was liberated in May 1945.  He later led the 3^rd Field Squadron home. He was demobilized in Winnipeg in October 1945.

Bill later enlisted in the Militia in 1948 and served for two years as Second-in-Command of the 6^th Field Engineer Regiment with the rank of major. In 1946, he began a very successful career in civil engineering. After a successful career in the public domain, he went on to head up an architectural firm that built many of Canada’s educational and financial institution buildings. Bill was a Life Member of the Engineering Institute and a Member and Designated Consulting Engineer of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario. 

Bill’s first post-war employment was in April 1946 with the Highways Branch of the Manitoba Department of Public Works and he served as Assistant District Engineer for three districts. In 1949 Bill was appointed Executive Assistant to the Deputy Minister of Public Works. In Spring 1950, at the time of the Manitoba Flood, he was District Engineer for the Northwest District. During the flood, his Regiment was called up for active service. Bill was in command of the army units and volunteers that successfully saved the city of St. Boniface. He resigned from the Reserves in the Fall of 1950.

Bill returned to Winnipeg after the Flood and was loaned to the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) as Assistant Supervisor of Construction for Western Canada. CMHC was heavily involved in Cold War and Korean War-related projects that included the programs of Defence Construction Ltd. at the Armed Forces bases, construction of the Pine Tree Early Warning Radar Line, and the new RCAF base at the Cold Lake. After a year in Winnipeg, he moved to Ottawa as Assistant Chief Engineer with CMHC. In December 1953 Bill was appointed Chief Engineer for CMHC and he held this position for two years during which time he was responsible for hundreds of construction contracts at military installations across Canada and north to the Yukon.

With the Korean War construction program winding down, Bill left CMHC in December 1955 and joined the architectural firm of Marani & Morris in Toronto as an Engineering Associate and responsible for the administration and supervision of projects from tendering to completion. In 1964 he became a partner in Marani Rounthwaite & Dick and eventually was made the Managing Partner - until his retirement in 1984. Bill also served as President of Ardec Consulting Engineers.

Among the buildings with which Bill was associated were: the head offices of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in Ottawa; London Life in London and Mutual Life in Kitchener; Sheridan College in Oakville and Conestoga College in Kitchener; York Central Hospital at Richmond Hill; Women's College Hospital in Toronto; the Law and Social Science Buildings at Queens' University; the Science Building at the University of New Brunswick; the Osgood Hall Law School of York University; the head office of the Bank of Canada in Ottawa; and GO Train renovations at Union Station, Toronto.

Visitation will take place on Monday, February 8, 2016 at the Jerrett Funeral Home "North York Chapel", 6191 Yonge St. (south of Steeles Ave.) from 1 p.m. until time of service in the chapel at 2 p.m with refreshments to follow. Online condolences can be left at www.jerrettfuneralhometoronto.ca .    ^{khFeb2016}

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Verne E. Thompson (Ret’d), peacefully on 22 January 2016 at Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg, ON, in his 92^nd year.

Verne was a veteran of the Second World War and served in the Royal Canadian Engineers.  After the war, he worked for Kraft and General Foods in Cobourg.  He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Cobourg Branch #133, the Camborne Church and friend of the Victoria Retirement Residence.

Visitation will be held at MacCoubrey Funeral Home in Cobourg on 27 January from 7:00 until 9:00 PM and on 28 January from 10:00 until 11:00 AM with a Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 AM.  Interment will be in Cobourg Union Cemetery.  Donations may be made to the MS Society.  Condolences received at www.MacCoubrey.com.  ^{{dcNov2017gd} [zsd, zsp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Chief Warrant Officer Walter “Wally” A.J. Chambers, CD (Ret’d) in Kelowna, BC on 19 Jan 2016.

Born in 1936 in Miramichi, NB, Wally served a full career of 33 years in the Canadian Air Force where he was posted in many places across Canada from Sydney, NS to Chilliwack, BC, as well as four years in Baden-Sollingen, GE.  He started his career as Clerk Engineer then transferred to Construction Engineering Procedures Technician. Wally wound up his career as the Chief Warrant Officer/Deputy Chief of Staff Construction Engineering Management in Air Command Headquarters, Winnipeg and retired in 1988. He then worked in Aircom Headquarters (Organization and Esablishment) for a few years as a civilian employee.

A Memorial Service will be held in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cancer Centre for the Southern Interior, 399 Royal Avenue, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 5L3. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com ^{khJan2016}

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Neil Dugan Atkinson (Ret’d) on 17 January 2016, of Elora, ON in his 85^th year.

Neil was a proud WW II veteran who served in the Royal Canadian Engineers.   He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #229 in Elora ON.

Cremation will take place.  Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.  To leave an online message of condolence please visit www.westmountfuneralchapel.com.   ^{{dcJan2017gd} [zpp, zsd, kpp, zcc]}

We regret to advise of the death of Arthur George Davey of Bowmanville, ON on 16 January 2016 at Lakeridge Health in Oshawa ON at the age of 94 years.

Art was born in Oshawa. He was a Royal Canadian Engineer veteran of the Second World War, who served in the 3^rd Canadian Infantry Division, often in support of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles in Normandy and the Low Countries.

Art was active in the Royal Canadian Legion. He was a Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #43, Oshawa, ON and Branch # 128, Sydney N.S.

A Memorial Celebration of Art's life was held at the Armstrong Funeral Home in Oshawa on 22 January 2016. Interment with his late wife Mary will be at Mount Lawn Memorial Gardens in Whitby following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations to the charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated by Art's family. ^{{dcDec19WD} {zcc, zsp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Brian King, CD (Ret’d) in Ottawa on 13 January 2016 at the age of 54. Brian served his country for many years as a Combat Engineer - much of his career being with 1 Combat Engineer Regiment in Chilliwack and Edmonton. Brian’s deployments over his career included: UNIKOM (United Nations Iraq – Kuwait Observation Mission) 1991, UNPROFOR (United Nations Protection Force )1992-1993, CFS Alert 1996 and NATO (Former Yougoslavia) 2000-2001.

Brian was first posted to 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER), Chilliwack in 1982 after completing his Sapper basic training. After this tour, in 1985 he moved on to 4 Combat Engineer Regiment in Lahr, Germany for a two-year posting before returning to Chilliwack with the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering (CFSME) (1987 -1990). Staying in Chilliwack, he was posted back to 1 CER for a five-year posting. In 1995 Brian was transferred to a new environment for two years at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake but then quickly returned to 1 CER, Edmonton for another tour of duty (1997 - 2001). His last posting ‘out West’ was with the Land Forces Western Area Training Centre in Wainwright (2001- 2003) and then it was back to CFSME for four years – but this time at CFB Gagetown. Brian retired from the Regular Force but joined the Primary Reserve and served with 33 Combat Engineer Regiment, Ottawa from 2007 until he retired in 2010.

Family and friends are invited to visit Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremations Services, 280 Beechwood Avenue (East of Vanier Parkway) on Friday, 22 January 2016 from 10 am until time of Funeral service in the Sacred Space at 12 noon. Interment to follow at Beechwood Cemetery.

In memory of Brian, donations to the Last Post Fund would be greatly appreciated. Tributes may be sent via Lifetimes at www.beechwoodottawa.ca^{..{khJan2016}}

We regret to advise of the death of Joseph "Henri" Deslaurier on 11 January 2016 in Rotary Hospice House in Prince George, BC at the age of 89. Henri was a Korean War vet who served with 57^th Field Squadron Royal Canadian Engineers.

At Henri's request there will be no service. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the rotary Hospice House  in Henri's memory.^{{khMay2016}{kpp}}

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Reginald Bruce Crowe (Ret’d), peacefully, at the Woodstock Hospital on 9 January 2016 in his 93^rd year.

Born and raised in Hanover, ON, Reginald was a Royal Canadian Engineer veteran of the Second World War who landed at Normandy with 4^th Canadian Armoured Division. As a member of 8^th Field Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers, he supported the Division in the fight through France Belgium and The Netherlands until the defeat of Germany. He participated in major engagements such as Falaise, The Scheldt, The Rhineland and The Rhine and was wounded along the Emden Canal near the Netherlands/German border.

Reginald spent nine months in a Canadian Hospital in England before being repatriated home to Toronto after the war. Unable to return to his old job due to the wounds to his legs, he found a job at Canada Packers and stayed in Toronto where he worked for 39 years before retiring from Canada Packers.

A private time of remembrance will be held by the family. Cremation has taken place. If desired, memorial contributions to Cystic Fibrosis Canada or the Kidney of Canada would be appreciated and arranged through the Brock and Visser Funeral Home, Woodstock, 519-539-0004. Online condolences www.brockandvisser.com.

We regret to advise of the death of Glenn Sargeant on 4 January 2016 in Chilliwack his 87^th  year. Glenn was a retired Sapper. There is no service by request. ^{khJan2016}

We regret to advise of the death of Lance Corporal Alfred T. Glassel (Ret’d), peacefully, on 22 December 2015 at the age of 93.

Alfred was born on the family farm near Unity, SK and spent the first 12 years of his life helping his family working that farm.  He left home at 12 to make his own way in the world and worked for various neighbors until he volunteered for the Army in 1938 prior to WWII. He joined the 2^nd Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers where he received his training as a Sapper and became an Engineer Mechanic.

Alfred landed at Normandy as part of 2^nd Canadian Infantry Division. He fought through France, Holland and Germany and rose to the rank of Lance Corporal. Alfred was demobilized in Canada in November 1945.

Upon his discharge from the Army Al benefitted from his army Motor Mechanic training and worked at various jobs until he wound up running a garage in Ponoka AB. He later moved to Calgary AB where he sold Snap-On tools for a time before starting his own tool company. Retiring in 1980, Al moved to the North Shuswap, BC and spent the next 25 years active in the local Community. In 2005he retired again and moved into Kamloops, BC.

After the war Al was recognized twice by other countries for his wartime contributions. The Netherlands awarded him their Medal of Remembrance for the Liberation of Holland, and France made him a Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour.^{khMay2016}

We regret to advise of the death of William Peter “Bill” Fedoruk on 21 December 2015 at the age of 97 at Misericordia Place in Winnipeg MB.

Bill was born settled on a homestead in Red Rose MB. He grew up in Red Rose and went to school in Sunny Valley. He was a veteran of the Second World War joining the Army in 1940. He took basic training in Portage la Prairie and was assigned to the Royal Canadian Engineers. This was followed by sapper training in Chilliwack BC where he was a member of Regimental Dance Band #13. During the war, he was stationed in Chilliwack, Vancouver and Victoria. He was demobilized in 1946. After his discharge, he operated a restaurant, then a hardware store with his brother Ted. He retired and lived in Winnipeg. 

Cremation has taken place and a family celebration will take place at a later date. Bill will be buried in Brookside Cemetery. Instead of flowers, donations may be made to The Misericordia Foundation, 99 Cornish Ave., Winnipeg MB.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant Reginald Frank Meadley (Ret’d) of Orillia ON at the Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital on 19 December 2015.

Reginald was born in Quebec City QC and graduated from McGill University in 1953 with a Degree in Civil Engineering. He worked in several Ontario communities including Guelph, Oakville, Port Stanley and finally retired as City of Orillia Engineer & Commissioner of Public Works where he worked from 1968 until 1994.  At some point, he served in the Royal Canadian Engineers (Militia).

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Mundell Funeral Home, in Orillia on 7 December from 2:00 until 4:00 PM. The funeral service will be held at St. James' Anglican Church on 28 December at 1:00 PM. Cremation will follow with interment at St. Andrew's - St. James' Cemetery in the spring. If desired, Memorial Donations to St. James' Anglican Church would be appreciated by the family. Messages of condolence are welcomed at www.mundellfuneralhome.com. 

We regret to advise of the death of Walter Stuckart on 15 December 2015 at the age of 94 at the Bowcrest Care Centre in Calgary AB.

Walter was born in Calgary and lived here all his life except for the four years he spent in the army during WW II when he served his country in Europe with the Royal Canadian Engineers. After the war he worked forty-one years with the CPR as a machinist.

Memorial Services will be held at St. John Lutheran Church (204 - 6A Street N.E.) on 23 December at 2:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends or family so desire, memorial tributes in Walter's honour may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 , www.heartandstroke.ca.

In living memory of Walter Stuckart, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park^.{khMay2016}

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Kurtis Gaucher (Ret’d) at home in Edmonton. AB on 18 December 2015 at the age of 33 years.

Cpl Gaucher served with 1 Combat Engineer Regiment from 2007 to 2012 and was a veteran of the Afghanistan War. He deployed with 11 Field Squadron to Kandahar, Afghanistan on Op ATHENA TASK FORCE 3-09. Seriously injured in an IED strike early in the deployment, he suffered the loss of a limb. Kurtis was treated for his injury and started the long road to rehabilitation. He participated in the "Soldier On" program and overcame several complications that arose during his rehabilitation.  He is buried in the Beechwood Cemetery in Edmonton. {dcJan16}

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Donald William “Bill” Muise, CD (Ret’d) of Brooklyn, Yarmouth Co., NS suddenly at home on 12 December 2015 at age 74.

Born in Yarmouth, Bill started his career with the Royal Canadian Artillery (1958-1971) and then joined the Canadian Military Engineer Family as a Field Engineer. His early postings as a Sapper were to 3 Field Squadron, Chilliwack (1971-1974) and 22 Field Squadron, Gagetown (1974-1978) and he served a full 22 years with postings across Canada and in Germany and tours in Cyprus and Canadian Forces Station Alert.

Upon his retirement from the Canadian Forces, Bill worked at Allwood Products and as a Commissionaire until his health began to deteriorate. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 2181 Yarmouth, with whose choir he sang, as well as volunteering on several committees. He was also a member of the Fourth Degree Msgr. W. E. Young Assembly 1428 (Yarmouth) of the Knights of Columbus.

Visitation will take place from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Wednesday, 16 December with a Royal Canadian Legion service at 7:30 p.m., followed by prayers at 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, 17 December at Saint Ambrose Cathedral, Yarmouth. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery.

Family flowers only, please. Donations in memory of Bill may be made to the Yarmouth Council of the Knights of Columbus, the Yarmouth Site of the Victorian Order of Nurses or to the Salvation Army, Yarmouth. You may sign the online guestbook or leave messages of condolence for the family by visiting www.huskilson.net  ^{khJan2016}

We regret to advise of the death of Donald John Gray, peacefully, on 7 December 2015 at the Arborfield and District Health Care Centre in Arborfield MB at the age of 96 years. Don was a WW II Royal Canadian Engineer veteran of 2^nd Battallion, Royal Canadian Engineers.

Born in Keyes, MB, Don grew up mostly near Arborfield and worked in the logging and lumber industries for many years with his brothers. He and his brothers all enlisted in the army. Don was 22 when he joined the 2^nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Engineers and he served overseas for four years during World War II.

After extensive training in Canada, Don embarked for England at Halifax on 23 August 1940. During the battalion's lengthy stay in the United Kingdom prior to D-Day, they were largely involved in the construction of the camps and infrastructure required for the Canadian Army in England. As well, they were heavily involved in improving and building infrastructure required for England's defence. Notable was the Dunsfold Airport that had to be significantly expanded to both help the defence as well as to support the war effort when it was taken to the continent.

The 2^nd Battalion embarked for France on 26 July 1944 and joined the battle in Northwest Europe when it assembled at Carpiquet, FR on 31 July. The battalion was initially involved in the reconstruction of the devastated Carpiquet Airport and the building of the by-pass road around the city of Caen. Supporting the Allied advance, their final challenge in France was the construction of the bridge over the Seine at Rouen. When this was completed by the end of September, the battalion moved rapidly into Antwerp, Belgium. Throughout the Allied advance, 2^nd Battalion was heavily involved in the construction of large Bailey Bridges across many of the river obstacles in northern Europe.

When Don returned home from the war he married, bought some farmland and farmed until the mid-1970s when he retired and moved into town.

In recognition of his contributions to the war effort, Don received the Lieutenant Governor’s Military Service Recognition pin. He was also greatly honoured in March 2015 by the Government of France awarding him the National Order of the Legion of Honour at the rank of Knight in recognition of his contribution to the 1944 Battle of France.

A funeral service will be held on 11 December 2015 at the Arborfield Community Hall with internment at the Jordan River Cemetery in Arborfield. 

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Kenneth “Ken” Norman Colborn (Ret’d) at the Southeast Integrated Care Centre, Moosomin, SK on 6 December 2015 at the age of 84 years.

Ken was born and educated in the Pickwell District, southeast of Wawota, SK and was a veteran of the Korean War.  He served for three years with the Royal Canadian Engineers, one year of which was spent in Korea and another in Churchill, MB.  On returning home in 1953, he returned to farming until his retirement in 1993.  Ken was a Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion Wawota Branch #113.  He was Branch president for two years and worked on the Wall of Remembrance, as well as the Wawota Veterans' Park. 

A memorial service will take place at Wawota Town Hall on 11 December 2015.  A private family interment will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens.  Donations may be made to the Moosomin and District Healthcare Foundation or to a charity of one’s choice. 

We regret to advise of the death of George Moennich, peacefully, on Saturday, 28 November 2015 at age 84.

George served with Defence Construction Limited/Canada for more than 20 years. He was originally hired by Defence Construction Limited (DCL) in Germany in the 1970s where he eventually became Branch Manager, overseeing DCL activities for Canadian Forces Europe in Lahr and Baden Solingen. He returned to Canada in the late 1970s as Project Control Officer in Head Office, Ottawa and held a number of operational positions, including a secondment to DND as co-Project Manager of the Ship Repair Unit (Atlantic). He retired as Director of Operations in the mid-1990s. George was a strong supporter of the Canadian Military Engineer Family and was very active with the Military Engineer Association. In retirement he remained actively involved in Defence Construction Canada and Engineer functions until his passing.

Family and friends are invited to visit at the McGarry Memorial Chapel, 176 Route 105 (Exit 28 HWY 5), Wakefield on Sunday, 6 December 2015 from 1:00 p.m. until time of the Memorial Service in the Chapel at 2:30 p.m. A time of fellowship and refreshments will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to La Maison des Collines would be appreciated by the family. To donate online: lamaisondescollines.org or P.O. Box 32, La Peche, Wakefield, QC J0X 3G0.

Condolences/Tributes/Donations to Hulse, Playfair & McGarry www.hpmcgarry.ca ^{khDec2015}

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer William Robert "Bob" Hannah, CD (Retd') of Vernon, BC on 20 November 2015. Born in Manitoba in 1927 and raised in Saskatchewan, he enlisted in the Army at the young age of 16. When his real age was known he was not allowed to go overseas, but he was retained for employment as a Construction/Maintenance person. After the war Bob joined the Permanent Force and he served 25 years with the Canadian Military Engineers as a Construction Engineer. Postings saw him stationed in Chilliwack, BC, Edmonton and Calgary, AB, Fredericton and Gagetown, NB, and with a deployment to Egypt with the United Nations Emergency Force.

When Bob retired from the Canadian Forces in 1973, he moved to Oyama, BC and started up a one-man repair business: “Hannah’s Repairs”. He loved to travel and had visited every country in Western Europe, each of the U.S. states at least once, as well as China, Japan, Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and North Africa.  ^{khFeb2016}

We regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant Colonel R.W. Shurb, CD (Ret’d) on 19 November 2015 at the age of 79, after a courageous battle. Ron served a full career with the Canadian Military Engineers.

Ron enrolled in the Army in 1955 under the Regular Officer Training Plan and started his military training at the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean. He joined the Class of 1960 at Royal Military College in Kingston and completed his Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Civil Engineering Engineering in 1961 at the University of Toronto.

Upon completion of his Young Officer training in 1962, Ron was posted to 3 Field Squadron, Chilliwack for a short tour as Troop Commander before being posted to 2 Field Squadron, Gagetown (1962-64). He was then posted to the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack but was soon deployed to Canadian Base Unit, United Nations Emergency Force, Egypt as Second in Command of the Engineering Company (1965-56).

Upon return to Canada, Ron became Production Officer in the Construction Engineering Section of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Winnipeg (1966-67). This was another short tour as he was soon posted to Headquarters, CFB Soest, Germany as Engineering Officer with the Construction Engineering Section, This duty was followed by a re-assignment to the Senior Staff Officer Construction Engineering Division of 1 Air Division HQ, Lahr.

Returning to Canada in 1970, Ron was appointed Base Construction Engineering Officer of CFB Bagotville but a year later found him as a student at the Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College, Kingston. From here Ron was assigned to HQ 1 Combat Group, Calgary in 1972 as Staff Officer 2 Operations/Administration.

Ron then became the Canadian Forces Liaison Officer with the United States Mobility Equipment Research and Development Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (1974 -77). Returning to Canada, He was posted to Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering - first with the Mobile Command Headquarters Detachment, Chilliwack (as Staff Officer Field Engineering) and the next year as Officer Commanding Military Engineering Training Squadron.

For his last posting with the Canadian Forces, Ron was posted to National Defence Headquarters in 1980 as Section Head, Directorate Military Engineering Operations in the Director General Military Engineering Operations. Ron retired in 1982 but continued his public service in his second career. He worked on projects like the Urea Formaldehyde Foam Installation Mitigation (UFFI) Project, modernization of the Communications Security Establishment building, and the Y2K project.  He also served a term as President, of the Military Engineer Association of Canada.

A celebration of Ronald's life will be held at Annunciation of the Lord on Friday 27 November at 11:00 a.m., 2414 Ogilvie Rd. followed by a gathering of family and friends in the Parish hall. A full military honour burial will follow at the Military Cemetery of Beechwood Cemetery (280 Beechwood Avenue) at 2:00 p.m.

The family requests no flowers. Sympathy donations can be made to the heart and kidney foundations.   ^{khNov2015}

We regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Ronald Hunt, CD (Ret'd) at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria BC on 17 November 2015 at age 73 after a long battle with kidney disease. Mel served a 23 year military career in the Canadian Forces - first as a Firefighter in the Royal Canadian Air Force and then as a Military Lawyer.

Originally from Toronto, Mel was an orphaned high school drop-out who had a broad experience in life as a construction labourer, heavy equipment operator, truck driver, and boxer before he joined the Canadian Forces in 1960.   After his Royal Canadian Air Force basic training in St. Jean PQ, he served as a firefighter at Penhold AB and Marville, France for four years. While at Penhold he was given the opportunity to complete this high school education. This was to lead to his selection for the University Training Program Men program.

After obtaining an Honours degree in Philosophy from the University of Alberta, Mel served as the Chief Administration Officer at Canadian Forces Station Armstrong before he was selected to pursue a law degree at the University of British Columbia. He articled to the celebrated Victoria counsel, Dermod Owen-Flood (later Mr Justice Owen-Flood of the BC Supreme Court), and graduated from the UBC Law School in 1977.

Mel started his service as a military lawyer in 1978 with the Judge Advocate General’s office at National Defence Headquarters followed by working as the Assistant Judge Advocate General in Victoria BC. Mel retired from the Canadian Forces in 1987 as a Lieutenant Colonel and an expert in military law.

Mel next entered private practice and then joined the firm of Dinning Hunter Jackson Law as associate counsel in 1999. He practised in the criminal courts, as Courts Martial, and in the Federal Courts as well as the British Columbia Supreme Court and the British Columbia Court of Appeal on a wide variety of legal issues including family and personal injury law. He was frequently consulted by other lawyers throughout Canada and retained by current and former members of the Canadian Forces in relation to military grievances, summary trials, human rights and pension matters. Mel was qualified as an expert witness in the British Columbia Supreme Court on military law and military personal matters.

A Celebration of Life service was held on 9 January 2016 at the Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, Wardroom (1586 Esquimalt Rd., Esquimalt). Memorial donations may be made to Vancouver Island Kidney Patients Association.

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal George Makar Podtepa of Edmonton, AB on 10 November 2015, at the age of 44 years. Corporal George Podtepa was born in Dryden, ON. His family moved to Winnipeg, MB in 1976 and he completed his high school education in Rossburn, MB. He worked as an electrician and control systems technician before he joined the Canadian Forces.

After completing his basic training he was stationed in CFB Greenwood from where he deployed on his first tour to Afghanistan. Returning to Greenwood, NS in 2003, he completed his training as an Electrical Distribution Technician. He later returned to Afghanistan for two more tours. On his last tour he assisted  the move of the Canadian base camp from Kabul to Kandahar with 1 Combat Engineer Regiment. In Kandahar he received a severe injury and returned to Canada for treatment.

George was a member of St. Elia Ukrainian Orthodox Church and a member of the Nam Knights Motorcycle Club of Canada, Edmonton Chapter.

Prayers Monday, 16 November at 7:00 p.m. at St. Elia Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 11833 – 66 Street, Edmonton. Funeral Rite will be on Tuesday, 17 November at 10:00 a.m. at St. Elia Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Interment in St. Stephen's Cemetery, 20303 Meridian Street, Edmonton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Elia Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Photos, memories and condolences may be shared through www.parkmemorial.com. ^{khNov2015}

We regret to advise of the death of Captain Raymond 'Ray' Jodoin, CD (Ret'd), peacefully, at the Welland County General Hospital on 5 November 2015 at the age of 68. 

Ray served the first part of his career with the Canadian Military Engineeers as a Field Engineer in 3 Field Squadron, Chilliwack, 4 Field Squadron, Lahr, and 5 ^ieme Esquadron du Genie du Canada, Valcartier, in succession. Arriving in Valcartier in 1972 as a Master Corporal, he was later promoted to Sergeant and qualified as a Combat Diver Supervisor. After being selected for Commissioning From The Ranks in 1975, Ray served the remainder of his career as an Officer.

Friends are invited to call at the Patterson Funeral Home, 6062 Main St., Niagara Falls, ON for visitation Sunday 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  A Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Monday at 1:00 p.m.  

In memory of Ray, contributions to The ONE Foundation (Walker Family Cancer Centre)   [Greater Niagara General Site, 5546 Portage Road, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X2] would be appreciated by his family. ^{khFeb2016}

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Ronald Ford 'Andy' Anderson (Ret'd) on 3 November 2015 in the Toronto Western Hospital after quietly celebrating his 93^rd birthday.  

Ron was born in Toronto. He was a veteran of the Second World War and went overseas to England with the 2^nd Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers in June 1941. Ron was an expert with explosives and is said to have trained hundreds of soldiers in demolitions in the days leading up to D-Day.  He attained the rank of sergeant in England and, upon volunteering for service in the 1^st Canadian Parachute Battalion, was accepted as a Platoon Sergeant on the basis of his Sapper skills.  He completed his jump course at Ringway, England in May 1944 and was taken on strength with the 1^st Canadian Parachute Battalion in September 1944.

As part of the 6^th British Airborne Division, Ron and the battalion sailed to Belgium on Christmas Day 1944 and joined the fighting in the closing days of the Battle of the Bulge - the only Canadian unit in that battle. From there, the Battalion was moved to the Netherlands and took part in active patrolling efforts in preparation for the Rhine Crossing.  After a period of rest in England, Ron jumped during Operation VARSITY aimed at establishing a firm bridgehead over the Rhine in Germany.  The battalion then marched eastwards to defend the area around the town of Wismar in an effort to block Soviet troops from continuing too far into the West. The Battalion remained there for several weeks after V-E Day, holding back the Russian Army while processing fleeing civilians, POWs and surrendering German military members.

Following his return from war in June 1945, Ron joined the Toronto Police. He and his partner and lifelong friend, Constable Warren Shaddock, were the first responders to the fire aboard the cruise ship Noronic in the Toronto Harbour on 17 September 1949. The Noronic fire was one of the worst maritime disasters in Canadian history with 119 people killed. Ron jumped into the frigid waters of Lake Ontario amid blazing patches of oil and spend hours rescuing passengers who were jumping from the ship. Ron left the police force after ten years and became a traffic engineer and starting a long and distinguished career with the Township/Borough/City of Scarborough as Executive Assistant to four successive Mayors until he retired in 1986. He was a proud recipient of both the Queen's Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals.

A celebration of Ron's life will be held on Wednesday, 25 May 2016, at 2:00 p.m., at the Royal Canadian Military Institute, 426 University Avenue, Toronto. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ron's memory could be made to:

Robert Land Academy
(for its 1^st Canadian Parachute Battalion Museum)
6727 South Chippawa Road
Wellandport, ON L0R 2J0

or

Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation
(please designate donation for the TWH Asthma & Airway Centre)
585 University Avenue
Toronto, ON M5G 9Z9 ^{khNov2015}

Read Historica Canada's interview with Andy.

We regret to advise of the death of Alger Walter “Al” Martin at Mill Creek Long Term Care Facility in Barrie ON where he had been living for the past five years. Al died on 31 October 2015 at the age of 96 years.

Al was born in Foxmead ON. He served with the Royal Canadian Engineers during the Second World War and was a long time employee at Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia ON. In retirement, he and his wife spent many winters in Florida.

The family will receive friends at the Doolittle Chapel at the Carson Funeral Home on 4 November from 6:00 to 8:30 PM.  A Royal Canadian Legion service will take place at 7:00 PM. Friends may also gather the following day from 1:00 PM before the 2:00 PM funeral service. Interment will take place at St. Andrew's St. James' Cemetery in Orillia. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Al would be appreciated to the Canadian Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.

We regret to advise of the sudden death of Corporal Thomas Nade Podor (Ret'd) of Lions Bay, BC and Stoney Creek, ON at the age of 26 on 29 October 2015.

Nade was a Combat Engineer with 1 Combat Engineer Regiment in Edmonton, AB. During his service he completed specialty training in Explosive Ordnance Disposal and mountaineering training and had deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Nate excelled in soccer and academics. After his retirement, he had recently attained his Open Water Advanced Diver's certification and had been accepted into the Foundations of Engineering Program at Vancouver Island University.

There will be a celebration of Nade's life on Friday, 6 November 2015 at Hollyburn Funeral Home, 1807 Marine Drive, West Vancouver at 1:00 PM. The reception will be held at 3:00 PM at the Royal Canadian Legion (Branch #60:580 18th Street).

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Nade's name to Wounded Warriors Canada's PTSD Service Dogs Project. http://woundedwarriors.ca/how-we-help/ptsd-service-dogs/
 

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Carl Milton Vance, CD (Ret’d) on 29 October 2015 at the age of 85. Born in Bancroft, ON, Carl enlisted in the Canadian Army in October 1953. He joined the Army Survey Establishment (ASE) in May 1954 after completing his basic training with the Royal Canadian Engineers.

Carl served his career as a Field Surveyor and Photogrammatist with Army Survey Establishment/ Mapping and Charting Establishment and worked on many different survey and mapping projects across Canada throughout his career. Locations included: Fort Coulonge, Ranger Lake, Sudbury, Skagway/Queen Charlotte Islands, North Bay, North Vancouver Island and Glacier Lake.

Carl was promoted to Sergeant in 1961 and worked that year on the survey party in Montreal and Quebec City as part of the Military Town Plan mapping project. In 1969 he attended the Topographic Computing Course with the US Army Engineers in Fort Belvoir, VA after which he became a Photogrammetry Instructor with the Mapping and Charting Establishment. He was promoted to Warrant Officer in 1970 and served an Exchange Appointment in the United Kingdom with 42 Survey Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers (1973-75).

After his return to Mapping and Charting Establishment Carl was involved in Operation ARCTIC in 1978 as part of the project to map Canada’s North. He retired from the Canadian Forces in 1980 and returned to Brancroft where he opened an appliance repair service.

Visitors are welcomed to: Capital Funeral Home & Cemetery, 3700 Prince Of Wales Drive, Nepean on Friday, 6 November for a visitation from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Memorial Service will take place in the Chapel at 11 a.m. Inurnment to follow in the Garden of the Apostles. Memorial donations may be made to the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund. Online condolences and sharing memories may be made at www.arbormemorial.ca/en/ capital. ^{khNov2015}

We regret to advise of the death of Winard “Wynn” Kline peacefully at the Bethany Care Centre in Cochrane, Alberta on 25 October 2015.  Born in 1921 in Big Valley, AB, he left a drafting program at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology to join the Royal Canadian Engineers and served in WW II from 1940 - 1945.

After the war Wynn began his career in the appliance industry and later, in partnership with his brother Jack and two friends, founded a successful commercial appliance business that served all of Alberta. Wynn frequently shared his detailed recollection of the wartime sapper work that he was engaged in and had particular recollections of the several war-orphans that he and his colleagues looked after for different periods during the war. Service to others and the nurturing of friendships were the central themes of Wynn's life. 

A celebration of Wynn's life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle N.W.), on Sunday, 1 November 2015 at 2:00 p.m.  Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com.  If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Bethany Care Society (Cochrane Care Centre) Telephone: 403-210-4665 www.bethanyseniors.com or to the Poppy Fund, #1, 4539 – 6th Street N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 3Z6, Telephone: (403) 265-6304. In living memory of Wynn Kline, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park.

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Peter Sven (Ret’d) on 20 October 2015 in Vancouver, BC, at age 74 years.  

Peter was born in Copenhagen, Denmark and joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1958 with the 7^th Intake of the Sapper Apprentice Program. Completed his Grade 12 education with this program, Peter was granted a years leave to take his Senior Matriculation at Chilliwack High School as he wanted to enter the Regular Officer Training Program  to become either an architect or civil engineer. Plans changed and he completed his military service with 3 Field Squadron, Chilliwack and took his release in 1964.

After completion of his military service Peter started employment with RKTG (Robertson, Kolbeins, Teevan & Gallagher) Consulting Engineers as a structural draughtsman.  He worked with RKTG for over 38 years and retired in 2002 as Chief Draughtsman and Senior Partner of the firm. In his retirement Peter became a strong advocate and volunteer for controlling the development of his Dunbar, BC community. He was the expert on ‘all things architectural’ for the Dunbar Vision Implementation Committee and was active in preserving his 1938 Heritage House in Vancouver as well as helping to preserve the nature of his community.

By request, there will be no funeral service. ^{khNov2015}

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Ralph Terris (Ret'd) at the High Crest Nursing Home in Springhill, NS on 18 October 2015 at the age of 93.

Ralph was a WW II Veteran who served with the Royal Canadian Engineers 14^th Field Company for three years in England, Italy, Sicily and Holland.  After the war, he was employed for several years with Dominion Coal Company before his employment with Corrections Canada from 1960 - 1985. Ralph was a Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion in Springhill NS Branch #017.

Visitation and funeral will take place on 21 October at the A. H. Brown Funeral Home followed by burial in the Hillside Cemetery, Springhill.  Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, or a charity of one’s choice.  Condolences may be sent by visiting Ralph's online memorial at www.brownsfuneralhome.com or through the funeral home Facebook Page. 

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Wilbrod Girard (Ret’d) of Girouxville AB at the Sacred Heart Community Health Centre in McLennan AB on 17 October 2015 at the age of 95 years. 

Wilbrod was born in Stadacona QC and at the age of nine, his family moved to the Peace River AB region as first generation homesteaders.  He attended Grouard Residential School until the age of 12 when he went to work for local farmers.  At the age of 16, he started working in lumber camps as a cat skinner as well as a driver trucking loads of lumber.

Wilbrod was a veteran of the Second World War. He enlisted in 1941 and served with the Second Battalion, Royal Canadian Engineers. He trained in Grand Prairie, Saskatoon and Petawawa. He saw action through Northwest Europe and was building a bridge in Belgium when the war ended. He spent another six months in Amsterdam awaiting repatriation to Canada.

Once demobilized, Wilbrod returned to Alberta, filed for a homestead and became the owner of his own farm.  However, he decided to use the road building skills learned in the Army rather than farm.  In the winter months, he worked lumber camps clearing the roads of snow.  In the summer, he would build new roads.  Wilbrod did this for over 20 years, retiring in 1980 to finally return to full-time farming.  He retired in 1983 at the age of 64.  

Wilbrod was a long-time member of the Royal Canadian Legion McLennan Branch #153 and remained actively involved with them carrying the wreath in the Remembrance Day celebrations on many times, including on his final Remembrance Day on 11 November 2014.

A memorial serve will be held on 24 October.  Donations may be made to the Smoky River Palliative Care Societyin Falher AB or the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #153 in McLennan. 

We regret to advise of the death of Neville Bruce Ede in Powell River BC on 5 October 2015 at the age of 85.

Bruce was born in Guildford, England and arrived in Toronto ON in 1953 as a newly graduated civil engineer. He worked in the pulp and paper industry, starting in Manitoba for seven years before moving on to Nanaimo, BC and eventually to Powell River where he worked until his retirement.  

Bruce served in the Canadian Army Reserves with the Royal Canadian Engineers.  He was also active with the Royal Canadian Army Cadets.  He was active in many community organisations such as his church, boy scouts and girl guides. He served on the Powell River General Hospital Board for ten years and, lastly, headed the New Life Society providing counselling services for addiction.

Bruce was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Powell River BC Branch #164.

There will be no service but the family will host a memorial tea on 10 October. ^{{gdJun2016kh}}

We regret to advise of the passing of Maurice James Drysdale of Arichat, NS on 2 October 2015 at the Strait Richmond Hospital in Evanston NS at the age of 87 years.

Born in Halifax, Maurice was a veteran of the Second World War where he served in the Merchant Navy from 1944 - 1946. He joined the Canadian Army (Regular) after the war and served with the Royal Canadian Engineers and the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers for 25 years. Maurice served in Germany as well as two tours with the United Nations Emergency Force in Egypt. Maurice was a member of the Canadian Merchant Navy Veteran Association and the Isle Madame Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in Arichat.Cremation has taken place. Visitation was held, on 7 October 2015 at the C.H. Boudreau Funeral Home in Arichat. The Funeral Service was held at the Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church in Arichat on Thursday 8 October 2015. A Legion Tribute will also be observed, and a reception will follow at the Legion in Arichat. Burial will be in the Gays River United Church Cemetery in Gays River NS. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Royal Canadian Legion Veterans Comfort Fund or a charity of one's choice.

We regret to advise of the death of Maxwell Norman Zwicker, peacefully, on 1 October 2015 in Camp Hill Veterans’ Memorial Building, QEII, in Halifax.

Born in Mill Village, NS in 1925, he was a veteran of the Second World War and served in the Merchant Navy for 12 years. This was followed by 26 years service in the Army with the Royal Canadian Engineers and then with the Civil Service for 10 years. Maxwell belonged to the Merchant Navy Association and was a member of the Bedford Legion.

Visitation will take place on 10 October at 10 a.m. in St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Halifax. The memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to The Lung Association Nova Scotia. Online condolences may be made at: serenitylindsayfuneralhome.ca   ^{khFeb2016}

We regret to advise of the death of Thomas Albert Shiers of Three Mile Plains, NS who died peacefully on 29 September 2015 at age 99 at Camp Hill Veterans' Memorial Hospital in Halifax.

Born in Gypsum Mines, NS, Tom left school at a young age to help support his family and followed several careers. He started as a farm labourer and then worked a winter in a northern New Brunswick lumber camp. He worked in other camps and mines and became a welder by trade. Tom enlisted for WW II with the Royal Canadian Engineers and was initially engaged in his welding specialty. Rather than staying in England to train welders, he sought to see action on the Continent. A veteran of D-Day, Tom landed on Juno Beach and fought the way across France and Belgium. He was a Holland Liberator and ended the war in Germany.

When he returned home after the war, Tom became active in the trade union movement. He was president of the Nova Scotia Quarry Workers' Union Local 294 and was an executive member of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour. He then went to work for the Toronto Newspaper Guild in Ontario but came back to serve as the Executive Secretary of the Nova Scotia Civil Service Commission in its formative years. Tom retired from the Nova Scotia Department of Labour to spend time with family, working his hobby farm, hunting and fishing. He continued to lend his expertise to unions and employee associations across the country and became a councillor for the Municipality of West Hants. Tom was a Master Mason with St. John's Lodge No. 2 in Halifax and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 9 in Windsor.

Everyone is invited to join the family at a graveside service for both Tom and his late wife Kathleen at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, 17 October in Maplewood Cemetery, 1186 King St., Windsor, NS. A reception will follow at the Elmcroft Reception Centre of the funeral home. Donations to St. Thomas Anglican Church, c/o 76 Old Halifax Rd. West, RR2 Windsor, NS B0N 2T0 or to a charity of your choice would be appreciated. Messages of condolence may be sent by visiting:  www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca or to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., PO Box 981 , Windsor, NS B0N 2T0.

We regret to advise of the death of  Sapper Joseph Anthony “Joe” Baldwin (Ret’d), a resident of Miners’ Memorial Manor, on 7 September 2015  at the Northside General Hospital, North Sydney, NS at the age of 85 years.

Joe was born in New Waterford, NS.  He was a veteran of the Second World War who served overseas with the Royal Canadian Engineers.  After the war, he lived in Toronto, ON for many years where he worked as a machinist with Massey Ferguson.

Visitation will be held in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, North Sydney from 7:00 – 9:00 PM on 8 September.  A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM on 9 September at St. Joseph Church with interment to follow in the in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney.  Donations may be made to St. Joseph Church Improvement Fund or to the Miners’ Memorial Manor. ^{{dcApr17gd}[zsd, zpp]}

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Laurie Joseph Robichaud (Ret’d) at his home in Fredericton, NB on 5 September 2015. Born in 1915, Laurie served with the Royal Canadian Engineers for 21 years as a Field Engineer, attaining the rank of Sergeant before retiring in 1973.

Resting at The S. O. Mehan & Son Funeral Home Ltd., 23 Main Street, St. Stephen, N.B. from where the funeral service will be held on Thursday, 10 September 015 at 2 PM.  Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, 9 September 2015 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Interment at St. Stephen Rural Cemetery, St. Stephen, NB.

For those who wish, remembrances to a charity of one's choice would be appreciated by the family.  Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.mehanfuneralhome.ca

We regret to advise of the death of Major Henry Edward Roy (Hank) Colyer, CD (Ret'd), peacefully, at age 94 on 3 September 2015 at the Veterans’ Unit of the Soldiers Memorial Hospital in Middleton, NS.

Hank was a Royal Canadian Engineer veteran of the Second World War serving in the United Kingdom. He joined the Permanent Force after the war and served in Korea. A highlight of his post-war career was his time with No 1 Radiation Detection Unit that he commanded in 1957. He participated in the nuclear weapons effects trials in Nevada and Australia from 1953 to 1956 and, in 2008 he received a Minister of National Defence Certificate of Recognition for Exceptional Service for his contribution to these trials. In 1961 Hank served with the Northwest Highway System – first for three years in uniform and then as Highway Superintendent with the Department of Public Works Canada.  After Yellowknife, Hank was transferred to Churchill, MB with Public Works and eventually retired to Bridgetown, Nova Scotia.

Hank was an active member of every community in which he lived. He believed deeply in volunteer work and trying to leave a place “just a little bit better.”  He was an Honourary Life Member of the Military Engineers Association of Canada, was a former President of the Bridgetown Board of Trade and a past President of the former Annapolis Valley Affiliated Boards of Trade.

A Lions Memorial Service was held on Monday, 7 September at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Legion Memorial Service at 7:00 pm from the Kaulbach Family Funeral Home. The funeral was held Tuesday, 8 September at Centrelea Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. Instead of flowers, donations may be made to the Centrelea Baptist Church or the Veterans’ Unit of the Soldiers Memorial Hospital in Middleton. Online condolences may be made at www.kaulbachfamilyfuneralhome.com.

We regret to advise of the death of Colonel Neil Alexander Robertson, CD (Ret’d) on 1 September 2015. Colonel Robertson was a former Base Commander, Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack (1974-77).

Neil was born in 1927 in Williams Lake, BC and was raised on a small Cariboo cattle ranch. He attended school in Horsefly, Williams Lake and Victoria. After a tour in the Merchant Navy he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Engineers as a sapper. Neil subsequently was selected for officer training and attended the University of British Columbia under the Regular Officer Training Plan. Following graduation from UBC in 1952 he was commissioned as Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Artillery and initially served in Korea. Col Robertson had a full career as a Gunner Officer with a number of appointments in Canada and the UK. Retiring as a Colonel, his last appointments were as Base Commander, Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack and Canadian Army Attaché in London, England.

After retiring from the Army Neil worked for several years as a yacht broker and then he and wife Rosemarie started a home-based printing business which they operated until Neil was almost eighty. Neil's volunteer work included two years with RCMP Victim Services, two years with Meals on Wheels and eight years driving for the Cancer Clinic.

Private family gathering only at Neil's request.^{{kh12Sep2015}}

We regret to advise of the death of Lance Corporal Joseph Alphonse Chambers (Ret’d) peacefully in Montreal QC on 20 August 2015 at the age of 93.

Joseph was a WW II veteran and served in the Royal Canadian Engineers.  He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Notre-Dame-de-Grace Branch #24/106 in Montreal.

Visitation will take place at Urgel  Bourgie Funeral Home, 3955 Cote-de-Liesse, Ville St-Laurent (Montreal) on 23 August, followed by a Liturgy of the Word in the Complex chapel.  A virtual register may be signed at www.urgelbourgie.com. ^{{dc/gdMay2013kh}}

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Joseph Rolland Claude Mailhot (Ret’d) on 16 August 2015 at the Royal Columbian Hospital in Vancouver after a lengthy illness.

Claude served 21 years in the Canadian Military - starting his military career with the Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). He transferred into the Canadian Military Engineers in 1970 after a 1967-1970 tour in Germany with the PPCLI. Postings during his Engineer career included: 3 Field Squadron, Chilliwack 1970-1975, 5 Escadron du Génie, Valcartier 1975-1982, Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering, Chilliwack 1982 -1985 and 5 Régiment du Génie de Combat for a few months in 1985 before his retirement. After his retirement Claude pursued a 21-year career in Corrections Service Canada until retiring from this second career in 2006.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, 4 September 2015 at the Harrison Beach Hotel, Chehalis Room, from 12:30 to 3:00pm.

^{{kh29Oct2015}}

We regret to advise of the death of Major-General John Arthur Stewart CD, MASc, DEng, P Eng (Ret'd) in Kingston General Hospital just shy of his 84^th birthday on 22 August 2015. Major General Stewart served as the Canadian Military Engineer Colonel Commandant from 1994 to 1997.

Major-General Stewart was born in Montreal, QC. He enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1949 at age 17, having already earned his Pilot License. He attended Royal Roads Military College, Victoria, followed by Royal Military College, Kingston, ON and Queen's University, Kingston where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering in 1954.

Over his 37 years of service he lived, travelled and worked across the breadth of Canada, spent five years in Germany and Belgium, and circumnavigated the globe. Following his military flying training, General Stewart flew as an instructor at CFB Moose Jaw, SK. After this assignment he transferred to the Construction Engineering Branch of the RCAF and was posted to 2 Construction Maintenance Unit in Calgary, AB. In 1959 he returned to the Royal Military College to serve three years as a lecturer and, at the same time, he completed his Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering at Queen's University.

Between 1962 and 1973 Major-General Stewart served in a variety of engineering and staff positions including in the Canadian Air Division in Germany and the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, in Mons,Belgium. He attended the Canadian Army Staff College in 1966-67 and, later, the National Defence College in 1973-74. Promoted to Colonel in 1973, he became the Director of Construction Engineering Control at National Defence Headquarters in 1974 and later was assigned to Air Command Headquarters as Deputy Chief of Staff Military Engineering. On promotion to Brigadier-General in 1978 he was named the Director General Quartering at National Defence Headquarters. In 1980 he was appointed Commandant of the Royal Military College of Canada and led the college through its introduction of female officer cadet students. In 1982 Major-General Stewart was appointed Chief of Construction and Properties. He retired from the Canadian Forces in 1986 as the Senior Serving Canadian Military Engineer.

After his retirement General Stewart became President of Guider Corporation. He also became very active with the Air Cadet Program - giving back to an organization that had launched him on his flying career.  He also devoted considerable energy to the RMC Club of Canada and was eventually elected President. In recognition of his service, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering from RMC in 1992, was appointed Colonel Commandant of the Canadian Military Engineers (1994 to 1997), and had a trophy at RMC named after him that is awarded annually to the top graduating Military Engineering Student from RMC.

A memorial service commemorating Major-General Stewart's life will be held at Currie Hall, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario on 12 September 2015 at 1:00 pm.  A reception at the RMC Senior Staff Mess will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Air Cadet League of Canada would be appreciated.

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Walter W. Skimin, CD (Ret’d) on 27 August 2015 in his 95^th year in Calgary AB.

Walter was born in Toronto ON. He was a WW II veteran having served with the 8^th Field Squadron Royal Canadian Engineers, 4^th Canadian Armoured Division in Holland, Belgium and Germany and spending an additional year in Europe and England after the war. He re-enlisted in 1951 with the Army Works Services, 15 Works Company, in Toronto as a fire fighter. He later served in Edmonton AB and in Chilliwack BC at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering, and in Calgary AB where he retired in 1968. Walter served as a civilian fire fighter at Canadian Forces Station Ladner BC until 1971 when that station was closed.

Walter was an active Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branches #233 in Orangeville ON, #276 Kearney ON and #285 Calgary. He also was part of the inaugural youth program at Calgary's Museum of the Regiments and was requested at schools to talk to students about the meaning of Remembrance Day. Walter was immensely proud of his service in the RCE, even marching to “Wings” two days before he died.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway Funeral Home, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 Bannister Road S.E., Calgary on 1 September. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Walter Skimin, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park, Calgary.^{{dc/gdMar2013kh}}

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Dimitrie John Smirnov (Ret'd) in Ottawa on 15 August 2015 after a valiant fight with cancer.

John Smirnov was born in 1948, in Belgrade, Yugoslavia and spoke Russian, Serbian and German. He joined he Royal Canadian Artillery in 1968. Following his basic artillery training he served in succession at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, NB, then with 1 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in Germany and then with 2 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery CFB Petawawa, ON. John started his career in survey in 1976 when he trained in Artillery Survey. He then transferred to the Canadian Military Engineers on an Occupational Transfer and joined Mapping and Charting Establishment in 1978.

During his 12 years with Mapping and Charting Establishment John touched most bases. He deployed with the flying crews on the Gravity Line surveys in British Columbia and Quebec as well as the Radar Line from Newfoundland to Ontario. He had three deployments to Canadian Forces Station Alert, NWT that included Operation ARCTIC and Operation HURRICANE. Twice John was a Survey Instructor at the School of Military Mapping, had a couple of prolonged stays in Compilation Division of Mapping and Charting Establishment and his last position was as Quality Control Inspector. John retired in 1990 to work for the National Capital Commission in Ottawa.

A Celebration of life for Dimitrie John Smirnov will be held on Monday, 24 August from 1:00 – 5:00 PM at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 632, 800 Taylor Creek Road, Orleans^.{khMay2016}

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Michael T. Smith (Ret'd) on Friday, 14 August 2015 at age 39. Michael arrived in 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, Petawawa, ON  in 1995. He completed two tours with the unit in Bosnia  (IFOR 1996 and SFOR 1998-1999) before he took his release from the Canadian Forces in 1999. Michael embraced life whether he was soldiering, being a paramedic/firefighter, cycling, painting, or snapping photos.

Cremation has taken place and a private family celebration will be held in the future. Donations and/or volunteer help to www.soldieron.ca , a PTSD support group, can be made in Michael's memory. Online condolences can be sent to : http://www.harrisfuneralhome.ca/obits.php?id=1544

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper George Staton (Ret’d) on 14 August 2015 at the Perley and Rideau Veteran's Health Centre in Ottawa, ON the age of 85 years.

George was Korean War Veteran who served with the Royal Canadian Engineers.  He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Ottawa Westboro Branch #480.

A family service will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to the Perley and Rideau Veteran's Health Centre Ottawa.  ^{{gdJun2016kh} [zsd, zcc, zsp]}