We regret to advise of the death of Chief Warrant Officer George A McKiel (Ret’d) on 8 August 2013 at the Toronto East General Hospital, Toronto ON at the age of 84 years.
George joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1949 and served in Chilliwack, Germany and Gagetown. He completed a one-year UNEF posting in 1962-63. Then, after 16 years, George left Regular Force and moved to Toronto, where he found employment as a truck driver. Later, he listed his occupation as factory worker. While living in Toronto, George joined 2 Field Engineer Regiment, Royal Canadian Engineers and rose to the position of Regimental Sergeant Major.
George was also a Life Member of the Todmorden Branch #10 of the Royal Canadian Legion in East York, Toronto. Before that, while still in the Regular Army, George had been a member of the Legion in Branch #4 Chilliwack, and Branch #4, Fredericton. He served for a long time as President of Branch #10’s Veterans Club. He arranged numerous outings to entertain Veterans. He and his late wife, Claire, spent many hours distributing poppies at the Eaton Centre and visited Sunnybrook Hospital and other health care facilities regularly. As a member of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists, George appeared in many features in support of military and Veterans issues. Mr. McKiel is a recipient of the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award in 2011, as well as the Royal Canadian Legion’s Meritorious Service Medal.
Cremation has occurred and a funeral will take place at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in East York 14 August at 11:00 AM. There will be a Legion service at the Todmorden Branch at 6:00 PM the same day. Both services are open to all friends, Legion members, police, fire, EMS and military personnel.
