CME Family Last Post

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Randy Dennis Gall, CD (Ret’d) of Fort Saskatchewan AB, unexpectedly on 22 June 2025, at the age of 58.

Randy was born in Golden BC and spent his early years there. After completing high school, he joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1987 and served as a Combat Engineer with the Canadian Military Engineers for 17 years. In addition to his Canadian postings, Randy deployed on the UN Iraq-Kuwait Observer Mission and the UN Protection Force-Yugoslavia.

Randy retired from the Canadian Forces with the rank of Sergeant and then worked with the Edmonton Police Service as an intake clerk for over 10 years.

Funeral arrangements were private

We regret to advise of the death of Major Jerry M. Schock, CD, PEng, MPI (Ret’d) at the Perley Veteran Health Care Centre in Ottawa on 18 June 2025 at the age of 69 years.

Born in Arvida QC, Jerry dedicated more than 32 years to the Canadian Armed Forces, serving as a Military Engineer, Airfield Engineer, and Construction Engineer with the Canadian Military Engineers. Jerry also completed a Masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Queens University.

During his career, Jerry served the Air Force, Army and Navy. His postings included Canadian Forces Bases Rockcliffe,  Chilliwack, Kingston, and Ottawa, Canadian Forces Station Alsask SK, and in Germany for eight years. Among his assignments in Germany, Jerry was the Officer Commanding the Airfield Damage Repair Squadron in Lahr and the Detachment Commander for the closure of CFBs Lahr and Baden.

Cremation has taken place. The family will receive visitors on Monday, 7 July 2025, from 1 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Beechwood {280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa}. Interment of ashes will follow at 3 p.m. at Beechwood Cemetery.

Online condolences can be sent to Beechwood. In recognition of the support Jerry received during his time at the Perley Veteran Health Care Centre and from other institutions that marked his life, donations in lieu of flowers to the Perley Health Foundation, the CHEO Foundation, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Coral Sylvester “Carl” Marsh, CD (Ret’d), suddenly on 16 June 2025 at Chilliwack General Hospital at the age of 85 years.

Carl was born in Glace Bay, Cape Breton NS, the third-oldest of 13 children. He enlisted in the Canadian Forces in Sydney NS in 1958 and proudly served over 25 years as a Combat Engineer with the Royal Canadian Engineers. During his career, he served at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown (1959-1960), CFB Chilliwack (1961-1963), CFB Werl, Germany (1964-1967), CFB Chilliwack (1967-1972), CFB Lahr, Germany (1973-1977), and CFB Chilliwack (1977-1982). Carl also deployed on United Nations peacekeeping missions in Rafah Egypt (1960-1961), and Nicosia Cyprus (1972).

After retiring from the Canadian Armed Forces, Carl worked for the Langley School District from 1982 to 1989. During this period, he received a Certificate of Registration as a Certified Technician with Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC. Carl was then recalled into the CF to serve with Range Control at CFB Chilliwack as “Class C” from 1989 to 1991. He next worked at the University College of the Fraser Valley in Chilliwack from 1991 to 2002 and fully retired in 2002. Carl was a member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 295 in Chilliwack

Carl’s life was full and adventurous. He loved sports, coaching and participating in many, with hockey being his passion. He was an exceptional hockey player and played for the 1968 3 Field Squadron team, which won the first-ever Canadian Armed Forces Hockey Championship held in Ottawa. Scoring the winning goal in the final game was one of his proudest moments. Another highlight for him was when his team was inducted into the Chilliwack Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.

There will be no funeral or memorial as per his wishes. A small family gathering was held on 25 June 2025.

We regret to advise of the death of Captain David Archibald Geddes, CD (Ret'd) of Kingston NS, on 14 June 2025  at age 83, peacefully at home after a lengthy battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

Born in Halifax, NS, David dedicated 30 years to the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Military Engineers. He began his career as a military Firefighter. David's career included three tours in Germany, where he was instrumental in fostering friendships between Canadian and German firefighters. David was Commissioned from the ranks in 1980. and was the Canadian Forces Europe Fire Marshal 1984-87.

David retired from the Canadian Forces in 1989 at the rank of Captain. Following his retirement, he served 12 years as a civilian Fire Chief with the Department of National Defence Fire Service at Canadian Forces Base Halifax NS. David remained committed to his community and served as President of Legion Branch No. 98  for eight years.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home. Donations in David's memory may be made to the Lung Association of Nova Scotia or the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 98 – Poppy Fund. 

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter FR Joseph Dennis Wayne Laverdure (Ret’d) on 10 June 2025 in Kingston ON, at the age of 80 years. 

Wayne served with the Department of National Defence Fire Service at Canadian Forces Base Kingston for many years.

Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in honour of Wayne’s life. Online condolences can be sent to the https://stkingston.simplertimes.com.

A memorial tree will be planted in his memory in Kingston and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

We regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant Colonel David Andrew Noble OMM, CD (Ret’d), who passed away peacefully at the General Hospital on 7 June 2025 in Ottawa ON at the age of 77 years.

Born in London, UK, Dave began his journey of service at age 17 when he joined the Canadian Armed Forces with the Regular Officer Training Plan. Dave served for 27 years as a Military Engineer Officer. 

Dave earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia in 1969 and went on to build a distinguished military career. His postings took him across Canada and around the world - from Chilliwack to Brussels, from Rome to Petawawa. His career highlights included a tour in Cyprus in 1972 with  Lord Strathcona Horse as Pioneer Platoon Commander, Exchange Officer with the Royal School of Military Engineering in UK, Engineer Doctrine lead at Force Mobile Command Headquarters, attending NATO Defence College, Commanding Officer of 2 Combat Engineer Regiment in Petawawa, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff and Divisional Engineer at Land Forces Western Area.

Dave often said the most rewarding time of his career was serving as Commanding Officer of 2 CER in Petawawa. He was awarded the Order of Military Merit in 1991 in recognition of his outstanding leadership and dedication to the military.

After retiring from the Canadian Forces, Dave transitioned into public service. As Director of Disaster Services for the Government of Alberta, he led the province’s Y2K preparedness strategy, coordinating over 1,500 organizations and earning the Premier’s Award of Excellence. He later helped shape Canada’s Federal Emergency Response Plan and the National Emergency Response System. 

Dave had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a generous spirit for sharing it. This was matched by incredible athleticism. Sports were central to Dave’s life as he believed athletics built perseverance, resilience and teamwork. He spent countless hours in hockey arenas and on soccer pitches coaching children of all skill levels. 

Dave was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in March 2019 and faced the illness with the same courage, focus, and perseverance that defined his life. In May 2025, he received a diagnosis of untreatable colon cancer, which he met with the same quiet strength.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA in his memory. 

A Celebration of the Life of David Andrew Noble will be held on Saturday, 30 August 2025, 1300 – 1600  at Cole Funeral Home, Magee Sideroad in Carp ON. The celebration will include an opportunity for Dave's family and friends to say a few words or tell a story or two they would like to share with guests.  Remarks can be brief or more detailed – everyone is encouraged to take part.  If you would like to say a few words, please indicate so in your response to Christina.
Dress Code: Business casual. Maroon berets and medals are welcome.
Please RSVP to Christina Noble by 29 August 2025.

Note: Dave will be buried alongside his parents in Victoria BC later this year. There will be a gathering to celebrate Dave's life following a family funeral. Details will be published once the event is finalized.

We regret to advise of the death of Chief Warrant Officer Glen Simpkin, CD (Ret’d), on 4 June 2025 at the General Hospital in Ottawa ON, at age 60. Glen was a former Canadian Military Engineer Chief Warrant Officer (2017-20).
Glen joined the Canadian Forces as an Artilleryman in 1982. While posted to the Artillery School in Gagetown, NB, he applied for a remuster to Topographic Surveyor in January 1994. After completing his basic Geomatics Technician training at the Mapping and Charting Establishment in Ottawa, Glen took part in several Arctic survey missions. He attended the Advanced Topographic Analysis Course at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, in 1999. During this MCE posting, Glen also deployed on three tours in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1996, 1998, and 2000).  Domestically, Glenn deployed to the Winnipeg floods in 1997 and was the first to use radar to depict floodwater movements. He also completed several Arctic gravity survey missions,
In 2002, Glen was posted to the Joint Headquarters in Kingston ON. During this two-year tour, he deployed twice to Afghanistan (2003 and 2004) and to Haiti. Glen was posted back to MCE as an instructor in the School of Military Mapping. In 2005, after a year-long French Language course, Glen held various positions at MCE before being posted to Naples, Italy with his family. While in Naples, he worked on multiple missions, deployed to Iraq for the NATO Training Mission and was heavily involved in Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR for Libya.
Glen returned to MCE in 2012, where he served as the Geomatics Support Squadron Sergeant Major, Operations Master Warrant Officer, and School Chief Warrant Officer before being appointed MCE Regimental Sergeant Major in 2016.
CWO Simpkin was appointed the sixteenth Canadian Military Engineering Branch Chief Warrant Officer in 2017 and served in that capacity until 2020. One of the highlights of that appointment was the opportunity to meet and have an audience with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on 27 June 2018, along with Colonel Commandant.
Retiring from the Canadian Forces in 2021, Glen took on the Services Coordinator position with the Canadian Forces National Capital Region Transition Unit.

Condolences can be sent toBeechwood.  A Celebration of Life will take place on 26 July from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the NDHQ Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess {4 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Ottawa}.  Dress is Casual - no uniforms. Online condolences can be sent to Beechwood. 

We regret to advise of the death of Major Samantha Ann Burch, CD (Ret’d), peacefully at home on 25 May 2025 at age 37, after a courageous battle with cancer. Samantha most recently served as Deputy Commanding Officer of 38 Combat Engineer Regiment in Winnipeg MB.

As a child, Sam was very competitive in sports and excelled academically. She loved basketball and played throughout junior high and high school, continuing on to coach teams after she graduated. After graduating J.H. Bruns High School in 2006, Sam went on to complete her Bachelor of Science at the University of Manitoba.  Pursuing her passion for teaching, she earned her Bachelor of Education in 2013. Sam’s career as a high school math and science teacher took her to Pinawa Secondary School, St John’s Ravenscourt, and Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive School. A gifted athlete, as an adult, she enjoyed several years playing on the Saracens Rugby Team, and later joined a recreational hockey league.

Sam enrolled in 2004 into the Canadian Armed Forces as a Trooper with the Fort Garry Horse. She attended Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering for her Basic Combat Engineer training, completing that training over the following summers. After serving the unit as a Non-Commissioned Member for a number of years, Sam was Commissioned from the Ranks in 2010 and completed her Basic Engineer Officer Course in 2012.

Sam served in 38 Canadian Brigade Group for over 19 years, and visited almost every province in Canada. She was promoted to the rank of Major in 2016 and became the Regiment's Deputy Commanding Officer.  Balancing her career as a teacher alongside her service as a reservist, Sam was always actively involved with the Regiment. Sam was medically released in April 2024.

Any anecdotes for Sam's family may be sent to Major Meg Belyea. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, 14 June 2025 at 11:00 am at McGregor Armoury { 551 Machray Ave, Winnipeg}. In recognition of Sam’s approach to life, please wear your brightest colours and fanciest hats!  The service will be livestreamed. 

Samantha was an advocate for infertility awareness and also hoped that eligible blood donors might give in her memory. In lieu of cards or flowers, please consider donating to the Major Samantha Burch Memorial Scholarship fund which will generate an annual post-secondary education scholarship for members 38 Combat Engineer Regiment. Donations can be made online.  

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Garrett Charles Joseph Powers, CD (Ret’d) on 16 May 2025 at Dartmouth General Hospital at age 42 after a long battle with cancer,

Born in Oakville ON, Garrett attended Queen Elizabeth Park High School. Pursuing further education at Humber College gave him the essential skills for a firefighting career.

Garrett enlisted in the Canadian Forces in 2002. He had a long and distinguished career of  almost 23 years with the Canadian Military Engineers as a Firefighter in the Air Force and the Navy. His postings included Canadian Forces Bases Greenwood NS, Winnipeg MB, Cold Lake AB and 8 Wing Trenton ON. His last posting to Shearwater was to bring his family home to Nova Scotia.  

A notable career highlight was his Garrett's contribution to the rescue of three people during Operation NANOOK in Resolute Bay NU in 2011. After a cancer diagnosis and subsequent arm amputation, Garrett used athletics as a positive focus during his rehabilitation.  Garrett competed in both the Invictus and Warrior Games and earned several medals throughout his events. He was co-captain of the Warrior Games team.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Sea King Club in Shearwater on Saturday, 24 May 2025 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Valour Place Society - a military family and veteran support house in Edmonton AB that housed Garrett and his family through multiple surgeries and treatments. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Wayne Sarson, CD (Ret'd), on 3 May 2025 at Bluewater Health in Sarnia ON, at the age of 77.

Born in New Liskeard ON, Wayne served with the Army Cadets and Militia before enrolling in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) Apprentice Training Program in 1964. He qualified as a Transportation Operator and Mobile Support Equipment Operator and served in Germany (1966-71) for his first posting, where he qualified as a Parachutist.

Wayne remustered to the Topographical Surveyor trade and joined Mapping and Charting Establishment in 1972. He served the remainder of his military career with the unit, including a deployment on Operation Arctic in 1984. Wayne retired from the Canadian Forces in 1985  and moved to Sarnia, where he became a salesman for Molson Brewery.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. As an expression of sympathy, friends may wish to send memorial donations to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 62 { 286 N. Front St., Sarnia, N7T 5S7}. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.