CME Family Last Post

We regret to advise of the death of Richard Allen of Red Deer AB, on 22 July 2025 at the age of 78 years. Richard served as a Combat Engineer with the Canadian Military Engineers.

Born in Weyburn SK, Richard resided in Thompson MB for many years before settling in Red Deer AB. After his service as a Combat Engineer, he worked as a project manager with Executive Home Building Center for 18 years, and later with True-Line Homes and Goodmen Roofing. 

 A Celebration of Richard's Life was held at Parkland Funeral Home in  Red Deer AB on 29 July. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honour Richard’s memory by performing a random act of kindness. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Captain Roy James Kuta Sr., CD (Ret’d), peacefully on 18 July 2025, in Orleans ON at the age of 85 years.

Roy was born in Glace Bay NS, the fourth of eight children. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1958 and served a 38-year career as a Construction Engineer. Roy found his calling as an Electrician and eventually became skilled across a wide range of construction trades. Rising through the ranks to Chief Warrant Officer, he later accepted a commission and served with the Base Construction Engineering Section at Gander NL (1989-92)

Known for his integrity, quiet humour, and firm but fair leadership, Roy earned the nickname “BaraKuta” on construction sites. His career allowed Roy to travel to all three coasts of Canada, as well as to every province in between. He also deployed to Asia and the Middle East. Roy spoke often of the memorable month-long trip he and his wife took to Israel and Syria while he was posted to the UN Peacekeeping Forces in the Golan Heights. 

Roy was a builder at heart. In his private life, he constructed four family homes during various military postings, as well as numerous renovations and projects for family and friends over the years.  Near the end of his military service, Roy embarked on a new adventure, opening the Cape Cod Inn Bed and Breakfast in Gander NL with his wife. They built this into a successful business that was one of the first B&Bs in the province to receive a four-star rating as well as recognition from Hospitality Newfoundland & Labrador. In 1998, they sold the inn and moved to Mississauga, ON to be closer to their children.

Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Roy’s memory to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.  A private celebration of Roy’s life will be held for immediate family on 6 September 2025.

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Master Corporal William Elmer “Bill” Cole, CD (Ret’d), a resident of  Casa Loma in Comox BC on 16 July 2025 at age 80.

Bill was was born in London ON and served a career as a Firefighter with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He served in Canadian Forces Base Borden and in Lahr Germany but put down roots in the Comox Valley when he returned to Canada.

Bill retired from the Canadian Forces around 1986 and worked for Superior Propane for a while before trading the propane truck for a school bus and drove that for many enjoyable years. Bill and his wife spent their retirement enjoying curling, camping, travelling in their motorhome and going on cruises. Declining health resulted in his moving into Casa Loma in 2022. 

Funeral arrangements were private. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Major William David Herd “Bill” Murphy, CD (Ret’d), peacefully on 13 July 2025 in Burlington ON, in his 84th year.

A native of Toronto, Bill kept busy in his youth by selling newspapers on the streets of Toronto. During his high school years, running the lighting committee was a source of pride for him. At 18, in need of summer employment,  Bill joined 2^nd Field Engineer Regiment in Toronto (now 32 Combat Engineer Regiment) in 1959 through the Student Militia Training Plan. He subsequently instructed on this program for three years and this was the start of a 37-year career with the Canadian Military Engineers.   

Bill attended the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC, where he qualified as a Field Engineer as well as completing the Regular Force course in Mine Warfare. He filled a variety of positions in 2 FER. He was the Squadron Sergeant Major of 47 Field Squadron and was then responsible for the Field Engineering Trades Courses and Mobile Command Training. Bill served as Unit Training Warrant Officer and Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant before being promoted to Chief Warrant Officer in 1971 and being appointed Regimental Sergeant Major.

Bill was commissioned from the ranks in 1974 and served at Toronto District Headquarters (now 32 Canadian Brigade Group) in the Comptroller's Office before rejoining the Regiment.  As a regimental officer, his appointments included Unit Training Officer, Adjutant, Officer Commanding 47 Field Engineer Squadron, and Deputy Commanding Officer.  Bill subsequently served in the Militia Officer Training School of Central Area Command (now 4t^h Canadian Division) from which he retired in 1991 with the rank of Major.  

In his civilian life, Bill took a lot of pleasure from his various careers, enjoying the challenges along the way. Working for Cara Foods was one of Bill’s career highlights, where he streamlined the food supply operations for airlines' in-flight food service. His final post was with the Ontario Ministry of Health, procuring the ambulance fleet. 

Funeral arrangements were private. A Celebration of life will be held in late summer. 

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Warrant Officer Stephen Drebit, CD (Ret’d), peacefully at the North Bay Regional Health Centre on 6 July 2024 at the age of 85 years. 

Steve’s service with the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Military Engineers included postings to Canadian Forces Station Falconbridge ON, CFS Alert NU, Canadian Forces Base Lahr in Germany, CFB Trenton ON and CFB North Bay, from where he retired.

A celebration of life for Stephen will be held at a later date in Teulon MB. Donations to the North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation - Cardiac Care Unit will be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online Condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Chief Petty Officer 2 Dennis Shaw, CD (Ret’d) in Victoria on 3 July 2025.

Denny started his military career as a Combat Engineer but ended as a Navy Clearance Diver. He qualified as a Combat Diver on Course 7102 when he was in 3 Field Squadron in Chilliwack BC. Posted to 4 Field Squadron in Lahr Germany in 1972, he was a member of the Unit Diving Section.

In 1973 Denny was the first Combat Diver to remuster to Clearance Diver with the Canadian Navy. He had a good career in his new trade and rose to the rank of CPO2. After retiring from the Regular Force, Denny joined the Naval Reserves and was employed with the Manta program, a trial involving a remotely operated underwater vehicle.  When that project was terminated, Denny established his own home security business, installing alarms. After that successful venture, he went into full retirement in Victoria.

Funeral details will be advised when known.

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Daniel Roy Weatherbee, CD ( Ret'd), of Medicine Hat AB, quietly in his sleep on 1 July 2025, at the age of 69 years.

Dan was born and raised in Springhill, NS. He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force with the Canadian Military Engineers for 23 years as a Refrigeration and Mechanical Technician. Dan retired from the Canadian Forces in 1997 and subsequently worked as Contracts Inspector at Canadian Forces Base Suffield (1997- 2010).

A Celebration of Life was held on 8 July 2025, at the Medicine Hat Legion. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Gregory Purcell, CD (Ret'd) of Quinte West on 1 July 2025 at the age of 59 years. 

Greg started his military career as a Combat Engineer with the Canadian Military Engineers. He deployed many times during his Combat Engineer career, to locations that included Bosnia, Kosovo, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. Greg remustered to Mobile Support Equipment Operator for the final phase of his service and retired from 8 Wing, Canadian Forces Base Trenton, after 25 years of service.

A Celebration of Greg's Life will be held at a future date. If desired, donations to Wounded Warriors Canada or Vets Canada would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of  Sergeant Robert “Bob” Ladouceur, CD (Ret’d)  at the Kelowna Hospice on 30 June 2025 at age 67 years after a three-year fight with cancer.

Bob joined the Canadian Forces in 1977. Upon completing his recruit training, he took his Basic Combat Engineer training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack, BC. Bob’s first posting was to 2 Combat Engineer Regiment in Petawawa where he served in 2 Troop and in Regimental Headquarters.  After Petawawa, Bob was  posted to 4 CER in Lahr, Germany (1984-87). 

Bob returned to Canada with a posting to 5^e Régiment du Génie de Combat in Valcartier QC (1987-90).  After Valcartier, he was posted to the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Gagetown, where he instructed in the Roads, Airfields, Water Supply and Accommodation Troop and in Mine Warfare and Demolitions. 

Bob retired from the Canadian Forces in 1998 and worked with his brother Gilles for many years in the construction field in British Columbia.

Funeral arrangements were private.

We regret to advise of the death of Chief Warrant Officer James Leighton Munro MMM, CD (Ret’d) after a short illness, on 23 June 2025, a day before his 81^st birthday.

Born in Vancouver BC, Jim was the eldest of ten children. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1962 and served as a military firefighter in the Canadian Armed Forces for over 35 years. Among his many postings were RCAF Station Zweibrücken in Germany, Canadian Forces Bases in Downsview ON, Portage La Prairie MB, and Greenwood, NS. Jim was also posted to National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa as a Firefighting Equipment Manager and as a  Career Manager.

A longtime member of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal parish and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 12401 in Russell ON, Jim gave his time freely in service to both his church and community. Jim was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 372, in Russell ON.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, 3 July 2025 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the Hall of Colours at Beechwood Cemetery {280 Beechwood Ave, Ottawa, Ontario }. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, 4 July at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, in Russell ON, with a reception taking place afterwards.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command Poppy Trust Fund. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.