We regret to advise of the death of Chief Warrant Officer Bernard Paul “Bernie” Gallant, CD (Ret’d), quietly at Bastion Place in Salmon Arm BC after a brief illness, on 13 January 2023 at age 96. Bernie served with the Army Surveying Establishment and Mapping and Charting Establishment as a Topographic Surveyor for 26 years.
Bernie was born in Moncton NB and completed his education in that city. He enlisted in the Carleton and York Regiment during WW II in February 1945 but soon transferred to the Canadian Army Pay Corps and was stationed in Ottawa the same year. Bernie then transferred to the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1947 and joined the Army Survey Establishment.
Bernie had extensive surveying experience throughout Canada as a Topographic Surveyor. He surveyed and mapped areas of the Canadian North during the postwar years when the defence of the North was a priority for the Canadian Military. He travelled extensively throughout the northern wilderness by dogsled and packhorse train.
Bernie was noted in the unit for providing sage advice and providing mentorship to all in the former Field Engineer. Bernie was awarded the Centennial Medal in 1967. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch for 45 years
Bernie retired from the Canadian Forces in 1973at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer and settled in Sorrento BC. He was a proud Acadian, which showed in his joie de vivre, good times shared with friends and his deep connection with his family’s history. In retirement, Bernie became actively involved in the Sorrento community. He worked as a contractor building houses, participated on the Sorrento Water Board and was an active member of the Shuswap Volunteer Fire Department. Bernie was honoured as Citizen of the Year in 1989.
In his retirement, Bernie learned to ride a motorcycle, fly an ultralight aircraft, and he travelled across Canada in a converted school bus with his restored 1928 Model A Ford truck in the back. He drove his model A Ford across Canada for the 2003 Centennial Celebrations of the Canadian Military Engineers and participated actively in events in the National Capital Region.
Many an orphaned cat found love, comfort and safety in Bernie’s home. If you would like to honour Bernie’s memory, donations may be made to the Shuswap Branch of the BCSPCA.Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home. A celebration of Bernie’s life will take place at the Notch Hill Hall [1639 Notch Hill Rd, Sorrento] at 11:00 a.m. on 27 May 2023. Everyone is welcome. More details will be published as the date approaches.
