CWO Donald Charles Coyle, CD (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the sudden death of Donald Charles Coyle on 4 November 2014.

Born in 1927, he joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1944 and trained as an electrician. At war’s end, he was transferred to the Permanent Force and was soon posted to work on the Northwest (Alaska) Highway on general road and bridge maintenance (1946-48). Having gained experience as a heavy equipment operator, he was posted to Kingston (1948-49) where he was employed as Operator Special Engineer Equipment (OPSEE). During his next posting at Camp Petawawa (1949-51 ) he was awarded the Kings Commendation for Bravery for his actions at a lumber mill fire in Pembroke on 17 Apr 1950 where he greatly contributed to the control of a massive fire by removing stacks of burning lumber.

Donald then instructed on Heavy Equipment at RCSME in Chilliwack(1951-59). While at Chilliwack hi career took a change in direction as he moved into the Mechanical Systems field. After learning his new trade he was posted as NCO in charge of utilities for the United Nations Emergency Force in the Gaza Strip (1959-61). After this deployment, he returned to RCSME as an Instructor on Utilities Systems (1961-65). This was followed by a posting to Air Defence Command (1965-71) responsible for mechanical systems on radar equipment. Returning CFB Chilliwack in 1971, he was responsible for the training of Mechanical Systems Technicians and retired in 1972 at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. Following his retirement from the CF, he was Superintendent of Maintenance at Yoho National Park 1973-78) and Works Superintendent, Town of Princeton (1979-83).