We regret to advise of the death of Chief Warrant Officer Joseph Jacques Daniel Coutu, CD (Ret’d), of Comox, BC on 3 October 2019 at age 58. Dan served the Canadian Forces as a Firefighter more than 35 years before retiring in 2015.
Born in Montreal, Dan joined the Canadian Forces in Montreal in 1980 as a direct entry Firefighter. Following Basic training in St-Jean and trade training at the Fire Academy in Borden, he was posted to Canadian Forces Base Edmonton, AB (1981 - 85). Upon promotion to Corporal he was transferred aboard HMCS Assiniboine on the east coast for three years where duty took him from north of the Arctic Circle to south of the Equator.
Following this tour, Dan proceeded inland to Cold Lake (1988 - 94) where he was one of only a few firefighters to be trained as a helicopter rescue diver. Upon his promotion to Master Corporal Dan returned to sea when he was posted aboard HMCS Calgary for two years. During this tour, he circumnavigated the globe and deployed to the coastlines of both Iraq with TF SWA-FFH1 and the former Yugoslavia. One highlight during this deployment was coming to the aid of the sinking Greek bulk-carrier Mount Olympus and assisting in the rescue of all 30 crew members.
Dan was next transferred to HMCS Vancouver (1996 - 97) after which he proceeded to 19 Wing Comox (1997- 01). Promotion to Sergeant resulted in the return to sea with HMCS Winnipeg (2001- 04) taking him back to the Arabian Gulf.
With his sea tours completed and promotion to Warrant Officer in 2004, Dan was transferred to the Air Command Academy in Borden as a Flight Warrant Officer. Following his promotion to Master Warrant Officer in 2007, he was transferred to Canadian Forces Support Training Group standards at Canadian Forces Fire/and CBRN Academy.
The next year Dan returned to fire operations as Deputy Fire Chief at Area Support Unit Edmonton, AB followed by a transfer to Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg as 17 Wing Fire Chief (2011- 12). With his promotion to Chief Warrant Officer in 2012, Dan joined 2 Canadian Air Division Headquarters as the Firefighter Individual Training qualification manager. In addition, Dan was appointed 2 Cdn Air Div HQ Chief Warrant Officer in April 2014. After completing 35 ½ years of service, Dan retired in June 2015 and relocated to the Comox Valley in BC to enjoy his retirement.
In his retirement Dan worked for Enterprise Car Rental as a driver, a job he enjoyed immensely. Dan was very active in the leadership of 888 (Komox) Wing of Royal Canadian Air Force Association Wing where he served as President (2018-2019) and was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors (2019-2020) and remained in that position until his passing.
In accordance with Dan’s wishes, there will be no funeral. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.
