We regret to advise of the death of Master Corporal John Gonzales on 18 July 2010 as the result of an accident at home.
John was a Vehicle Technician with 144 Construction Engineering Flight Pictou, NS. He joined 569 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps Brookfield in 1989 as an Officer Cadet and left the Cadet movement in 1997 at the rank of Lieutenant. The next year he enrolled with 144 Construction Engineering Flight Pictou as a Vehicle Technician and completed his initial trade training at Canadian Forces Base Borden in 1999. MCpl Gonzales received the National Electrical Mechanical Engineering Tradesman of the Year award in 2003. He completed his Vehicle Technician Qualification Level 5 in Borden in 2006 and achieved the Top Student Award.
During his time with 144 Construction Engineering Flight Pictou John was tasked to various locations throughout Canada and United States including: 14 Wing Greenwood, Land Force Atlantic Area Training Centre Detachment Aldershot, Canadian Training Centre Gagetown, Knoxville, Tennessee, Canadian Forces Base Detachment Debert, 19 Wing Comox, Fort Smith, Arkansas, Goose Bay, and Edmonton. He deployed to Afghanistan from January - August 2008. In September 2008 he received the Commander's Commendation for excellent work with the Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.
MCpl Gonzales filled a variety of positions while with 144 Construction Engineering Flight: IC Maintenance, 2IC Operations and Training, Team Leader of several community projects and, most recently, the Recruiter for 144 Construction Engineering Flight. He had just accepted a transfer to the Regular Force.
The funeral will be held at Colchester Community Funeral Home (512 Willow Street Truro NS). Visitation will be held following a Royal Canadian Legion Tribute Service on Thursday, 22 July at 12:00pm until the time of the Funeral Service at 2:00. Interment to follow in the Belmont Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia.