CME Family Last Post

We regret to advise of the death of Captain Henning Jacobs von Kaufmann, CD, CMA (Ret’d) of St Catharines ON, peacefully, on 9 January 2025 at the age of 92 years. 

Henning was born in Germany and later travelled in Italy and lived and worked in Spain. He immigrated to Canada in 1956 the age of 24 years. While working in Toronto, he served in the with 2^nd Field Engineer Regiment from 1958-1963 achieving the rank of Sergeant, and and agaiin from 1969-1977 retiring as a Captain.

While raising his family in Unionville (1967-1983) Henning studied to become an accountant and was employed by the Ontario Science Centre (1966-1979) where he served as Financial Officer and Chief Accountant. He then moved to the private sector with Deloitte Haskins & Sells, as Comptroller. The family moved to St Catharines when Henning was the Deputy Treasurer for the Regional Municipality of Niagara (1982-1986). He later started his own financial consulting business.

Henning was was a Rotarian. He was also a very active member of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club in Toronto and later, the Dalhousie Yacht Club in St Catharines. At the age of 65, he crewed on a tall ship sailing adventure from New York to Bermuda. In retirement, Henning spent many years with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program providing tax-preparation assistance for those in need. In 1990 he was granted an Honourary Life Membership to the Society of Management Accountants of Ontario. 

Funeral arrangements are private. Donations can be made in Henning's name to the Heidehof Long Term Care Home in St. Catharines by cheque or etransfer . Online condolences may be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Chief Warrant Officer Gary Frederick Marshall, CD (Ret'd)  at the Blomidon Court Nursing Home in Greenwich NS, on 9 January 2025 at the age of 77 years. 

Gary was born in Halifax NS. His dad served in the Canadian Forces, so the family moved a lot, including to France. Gay started high school in Sudbury ON, and finished in Victoria BC where he worked at the Hudson's Bay Company. He and his brother Dave enlisted in the Canadian Forces in 1967. He started training as a Physical Education and Recreation Instructor but transferred to the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician trade with the Royal Canadian Engineers and trained at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC.

The early years of Gary's career were spent crisscrossing the country from east to west to north among the Construction Engineering Sections at many of the former Pinetree Line radar sites. His first posting was to Canadian Forces Station Gypsumville MB followed by CFS Falconbridge. He was then posted to CFS Moisie QC followed by CFS Kamloops BC. From there, he moved to CFS Barrington NS, on the East Coast. His next posting was to Canada's North for four years at CFS Inuvik NT. Gary was next posted to CFB Uplands in Ottawa. After Ottawa, Gary moved to Winnipeg to 1 Construction Engineering Unit. While at 1 CEU, Gary was part of the engineering team sent to the Middle East during the First  Gulf War in 1990-91 to prepare and maintain the CF Base facilities.

Gary then returned to Ottawa for a stint at National Defense Headquarters. Here, he oversaw construction projects, such as fuel storage tank decommissions across the country, and he worked on special projects in partnership with External Affairs Canada. He managed the installation of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems and the commissioning of new Canadian embassies in Washington, D.C., and Beijing, China. He also worked on the embassies in Riyad, Saudi Arabia and Damascus, Syria.  After Ottawa, Gary was posted to the Construction Engineering Squadron at 14 Wing, CFB Greenwood, for about a year. He retired from the Canadian Forces in 1998 after proudly serving Canada for 31 years.

Gary was involved in the base communities at each posting and was instrumental in organizing many base winter carnivals over the years. He participated on many sports teams—from softball and fastball to basketball, broomball, and hockey. Gary was also a fan of Nordic and alpine skiing. Gary loved the outdoors. He participated in many Search and Rescue operations and training exercises over the years. At CFS Kamloops, he was heavily involved in raft racing.

Gary stayed in Nova Scotia after he retired from the Regular Forces and lived for a time in Aylesford. However, he found his way back to CFB Greenwood, where he worked as a civilian for Defense Construction Canada and taught a Building Commissioning course with  Dalhousie University. Gary also worked for Bird Construction, commissioning key local builds for Kings County Academy, Orchard Court Shannex, the RCMP detachment, and other projects around Atlantic Canada. Eventually, he fully retired to spend more time on the golf course, doing wood carving and enjoying life.

Gary's health started to decline in 2015, and he was diagnosed with vascular dementia. After being cared for at home, he entered long-term care, first in Middleton and, for the past two years, at Blomidon Court Nursing Home. Gary developed COVID-19 in December 2024 and did not recover.

Cremation has occurred, and a Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, 24 May 2025,  in the White Family Family Funeral Home, 100 Bridge St., Kentville NS.  A private casting ceremony will follow to ensure Gary arrives safely to where he wanted to be, at his favourite mooring spot in Indian Point Cove.

Instead of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Gary's name to some of the organizations and causes that stand for things he loved throughout his life and also that affected him in his later years: The Alzheimer's Society of Canada, The Alzheimer's Society of Nova Scotia, The Nova Scotia SPCA, or KidsSport Canada.  Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.
 

We regret to advise of the death of Korean War veteran Edwin B. Rafuse of Advocate Harbour NS, peacefully at the South Cumberland Community Care Centre, in Parrsboro NS, on 6 January 2025 at Age 92. 

Born in Advocate Harbour, Edwin served 23 years with the Canadian Armed Forces with the Royal Canadian Engineers, including his deployment to the Korean War in 1952-53 as a sapper with 23^rd  Field Squadron. After Edwin retired from the Canadian Forces, he worked at Rafe’s Construction for many years. 

A Celebration of Life was held on 12 January 2025 at the Advocate Fire Hall. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice. Condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

Nous avons le regret de vous annoncer le décès du capitaine Benoit Labonté, CD (retraité) de Gatineau QC, le 28 décembre 2024, à l'âge de 66 ans.

Benoit s'est joint au Génie militaire canadien en tant que plombier monteur d'installations au gaz en 1975 et a servi pendant 33 ans. Il a été promu au grade d'adjudant-chef en tant que surintendant du génie de la construction avant d'être nommé capitaine. Ses affectations professionnelles comprenaient la base des Forces canadiennes Bagotville QC, la BFC Saint-Jean QC, le 5e Régiment du génie de combat et le quartier général de la Défense nationale. Benoit Benoit a effectué une tournée avec la FONUDT sur les hauteurs du Golan et a été déployé en Yougoslavie et a été déployé en Yougoslavie en tant qu'adjudant de la 5e troupe de construction de la Roto 5 avec la Force de stabilisation (1999-2000).

Après sa retraite, Benoit a entamé une deuxième carrière au sein du Corps des commissionnaires. Il a pris sa retraite des Forces canadiennes et a été promu au grade de capitaine. Il a également travaillé quelques années comme fonctionnaire à la Cour suprême avant de prendre sa retraite complète.

Une célébration de la vie de Benoit aura lieu le samedi 1er février 2025, à 14 h, à la Coopérative Funéraire de l'outaouais {750, boulevard Maloney Est, Gatineau}. La famille recevra les condoléances à 13 h 15. Vous pouvez suivre la cérémonie en direct ou en rediffusion via le lien : https://fweb.tv/163353.

En mémoire de Benoit, la famille invite ceux qui le désirent à faire un don au Centre de cancérologie de l'Hôpital de Gatineau ou au Fonds du Coquelicot. Les condoléances en ligne peuvent être envoyées à la maison funéraire.

We regret to advise of the death of Captain Benoit Labonté, CD (Ret'd)  of Gatineau QC, on 28 December 2024, at the age of 66 years. 

Benoit joined the Canadian Military Engineers as a Plumber Gas Fitter in 1975 and served for 33 years. He rose to Chief Warrant Officer rank as a Construction Engineer Superintendent before being commissioned to the rank of Captain. His career postings included Canadian Forces Base Bagotville QC, CFB St Jean QC, 5^e Régiment du Génie de Combat and National Defence Headquarters. Benoit completed a tour with UNDOF in the the Golan Heights and deployed to Yugoslavia as Warrant Officer of 5 Construction Troop on Roto 5 with the Stabilization Force (1999-2000).

After retiring, Benoit started a second career with the Corps of Commissionaires he retired from the Canadian Forces and rose to the rank of Captain. He also worked a couple of years as a civil servant at the Supreme Court before fully retiring.

A celebration of Benoit’s life will take place on Saturday, 1 February 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at the Coopérative Funéraire de l'outaouais {750, boulevard Maloney Est, Gatineau}. The family will receive condolences at 1:15 p.m. You can watch the ceremony live or as a replay via the link: https://fweb.tv/163353.

In Benoit's memory, the family invites those who wish to do so to make a donation to the Centre de cancérologie de l'Hôpital de Gatineau  or to the Poppy Fund.  Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Brian Lekas, CD (Ret’d) peacefully at home, on 26 December 2024 at age 67 after a brief illness.

Brian joined the Canadian Forces as a Sapper in 1974 and served with the Canadian Military Engineers for 20 years. His postings included 22 Field Squadron in Gagetown, 4 Combat Engineer Regiment in Lahr, Germany, Roads and Grounds at CFB Penhold AB, and at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC as a Bridging Instructor.

After retiring from the Canadian Forces, Brian moved back home to Moncton NB, where he was a successful realtor for over 30 years.

Brian’s life will be celebrated privately by his family.  Instead of sending flowers, the family asks that you send flowers to someone you love and, in lieu of donations, please perform a random act of kindness in Brian’s memory. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Michel Joseph Roger Gerhard “Mike” Courteau, CD (Ret'd) on 26 December 2024 at  Perley Health in Ottawa at the age of 79 years.

Mike was born in Hull QC and started his military career as a Field Engineer with the Royal Canadian Engineers and the Canadian Military Engineers in 1968. He was serving with 5^e Genie in Valcartier in 1971 when he remustered and was posted to Mapping and Charting Establishment in Ottawa. Mike became  a  Map Reproduction Technician and served with MCE until 1984 when he was posted to Petawawa as a Graphic Artist. Promoted to Warrant Officer, he returned to MCE for a short period but retired from the Canadian Forces in order to return to Petawawa.

Information on funeral arrangements will be provided when available.

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Paul Jonathan Chellew CD (Ret'd), peacefully at North Bay ON on 19 December 2024 at the age of 89 years.

Paul was born in Sturgeon Falls ON and was one of seventeen children. He served the Canadian Military Engineers and the Royal Canadian Air Force for 35 years with career postings that included  RCAF Station Gimli MB, 4 (Fighter) Wing at Canadian Forces Base Baden in Germany, and CFB Downsview ON.

Paul was well known in his community through years of having played and coached hockey. He was a competitive fastball. 

There will be no funeral services following Paul's wishes. In lieu of flowers, please donate to North Bay Regional Hospital. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Al Dawson, CD (Ret’d)  on 12 December 2024 in Summerland BC at age 75 after a lengthy illness.

Al was from Calgary AB.  He joined the Canadian Military Engineers in 1970 and took his basic Combat Engineer training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC.   Al had a full career combining Combat Engineer and Construction Technician trades.  Most of his career was as a Combat Engineer with service in 3 Field Squadron in Chilliwack BC, 1 Field Squadron in Petawawa ON,  22 Field Squadron in Gagetown NB, 4 Combat Engineer Regiment in Lahr, Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering, Canadian Forces Station Penhold, 1 Construction Engineering Unit in Winnipeg,  and other locations.  Al remustered to the Construction Technician trade in 1988 and served for some ten years in his new trade. A highlight of this part of Al's career was the 1 CEU project to raise and restore the enormous Klondike Dredge No. 4 that is now a National Historic Site.

A celebration of Al’s life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 22, 14205 Rosedale Ave, Summerland, BC on Easter Saturday, 19 April 2025 from 12 noon - 5:00 pm Attendees are encouraged to bring their best adult jokes and favourite memories.

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter FR Samuel Bullock on 10 December 2024 at age 74 after a battle with cancer. 

Born in Portage La Prairie MB, Sam grew up on the farm in Old High Bluff. His career in the Canadian Armed Forces started as an Infantryman, where he proudly served in the 1^st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and 3 Mechanized Commando for seven years. This military service was marked by deployments to Cypress with the UN peacekeeping force in 1971 and to Germany with 3 Mechanized Commando for four years. Sam then remustered to the Firefighter trade in 1977 and was posted in Cold Lake AB upon completing his training. 

Sam retired from the Canadian Forces and joined the Public Service as a civilian firefighter with the Department of National Defence. He served at Canadian Forces Bases Penhold and Suffield in Alberta. When Sam retired in Suffield, he had dedicated over thirty-five years to protecting his community. Outside of his professional life, Sam loved hockey, where he served as League Governor for the Central Alberta Minor Hockey League and coached his kid’s baseball and curling. He remained a proud veteran, supporting the Canadian Legion in Innisfail, Redcliff and Cochrane AB.

A Celebration of Life was held on 19 December 2024 at the Olds Legion at 1:00-4:00 PM. Donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Didsbury Bethany or the Canadian Legion instead of flowers. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.