CME Family Last Post

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Ralph Bresson (Ret'd) of Dominion, Cape Breton NS, at the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital on 7 October 2023 at the age of 75 years.  

Ralph was from the Glace Bay area and went to St. Michael's High School in Glace Bay. He enlisted in the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1966. Ralph was with No. 41 Section in Recruit Squadron at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack when he completed his basic Field Engineer training.

Ralph next had a short tour with 2 Field Squadron in Gagetown NB, before being posted to 4 Field Squadron in Werl, Germany. He returned to Canada in 1970 with a posting to 1 Field Squadron in Petawawa. While with 1 Field Squadron, Ralph deployed to Pangnirtung on the Northern Airfields Construction project.

Ralph retired from the Canadian Forces while he was in Petawawa and returned to his roots in Dominion (near Glace Bay) where he worked for the Town of Dominion School Board.

Instead of flowers, donations can be made to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #3 in Glace Bay or a charity if you choose. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Ralph Bresson next summer on 19 July 2024  at 11:00 am - 11:30 am at T.J. Tracey Cremation & Burial Specialists, 370 Reserve St, Glace Bay.

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Richard Earl "Rick" Simpson, CD (Ret'd) on 2 October 2023 in Waweig NB.

Rick was born in Little Ridge NB and graduated from St. Stephen High School. Immediately after graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Canadian Forces. Rick graduated Basic Training at Cornwallis NS in November 1970 and proceeded to the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering  Chilliwack BC where he joined the Canadian Military Engineers and completed Basic Combat Engineer training.  

Rick's military career was spent primarily in our Combat Engineer units. His first posting was to 2 Field Squadron in Canadian Forces Base Gagetown NB. He returned on a later posting to the base to work in Range Control. Rick had two postings to 4 Combat Engineer Regiment in Lahr, Germany. He returned to Canada after his second tour in Germany for his final posting to 1 CER in Chilliwack BC.   

Rick retired from the Canadian Forces in 1990 at the rank of Sergeant and returned home to Waweig NB. There, he joined the Corps of Commissionaires and performed security with Fisheries and Oceans Canada at St. Andrews.

The funeral service for Rick will take place at Humphrey's Funeral Home [ 20 Marks Street, St. Stephen's NB ] on Saturday, 7 October. Visitation will be from noon to 2:00 PM before the funeral service at 2:00 PM. Immediately following, a gathering will be held at the family homestead, located at 286 Upper Waweig Road, Waweig..

For those who wish, a donation to Charlotte County Cancer or a charity of one’s choice will be greatly appreciated by the family. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

A livestream link has been provided directly below for the day of the service. Simply copy & paste the link to your browser and follow the necessary registration protocol: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=edcedd85-8ec3-46d0-9e63-56c3986578f3

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Sean J. Carroll, CD on 8 September 2023, at the Saint John Regional Hospital in New Brunswick at the age of 38 years. Sean was serving at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering (CFSME) when he died.

Sean joined the Canadian Armed Forces in April 2006. After completing his basic training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School and his trades training at CFSME, he was posted to Greenwood NS. During this posting, he deployed on Op PODIUM and then Afghanistan.

Sean attended the Drafting & Surveying Technician pilot course at Nova Scotia Community College in 2012 and was then posted to the Drafting and Survey section at 1 Engineer Support Unit in Kingston ON. During his eight years at 1 ESU, he played an integral role in establishing the Drafting and Survey trade and participated in multiple operations that included Op ACKEE, Op UNIFIER, Op IMPACT, and Op REASSURANCE. 

With this promotion to Warrant Officer in 2020, Sean was posted to CFSME as the Production Flight Warrant Officer. After two years, he moved into Squadron Operations. Promoted to Master Warrant Officer in 2023, Sean was appointed Squadron Sergeant Major of Construction Engineering Management Squadron.

Sean’s funeral will be held at St Mary’s Chapel at Base Gagetown on 16 September 2023 at 1100 hrs. The dress will be DEU 1A with medals.  Instead of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Support Our Troops, Wounded Warrior Canada, or Soldier On. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of  Leo David Cormier, peacefully on 29 August 2023 at the Oromocto Public Hospital at age 87. Leo served as a Heavy Equipment Operator with the Royal Canadian Engineers for more than 30 years.

Born in Dorchester NB,  Leo enlisted in the Canadian Forces in 1952 when he was 17 and became a Heavy Equipment Operator. His early postings included being a member of our Field Squadrons in Germany and in Petawawa ON. Leo went on to serve a full career of 32 years with the Royal Canadian Engineers. He retired from the Canadian Forces in 1984 and then moved to the private industry as a crane operator. Leo was proud of his military career and loved to read about military history. 

At Leo's request, there will be no public funeral or memorial service. His immediate family will gather in remembrance and spread his ashes. Online Condolences can be sent to the funeral home. 

We regret to advise of the death of Major George Wesko, CD (Ret’d) of Lethbridge AB, on 27 August 2023 at the age 85 years.

George was born and grew up in Coleman AB.  We believe he initially enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Non-Commissioned Member and was selected for Commissioning from The Ranks. George then attended the University of Alberta and graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. After completing Military Engineering Officer training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering (CFSME) at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Chilliwack, his first posting was to the Base Construction Engineering Section at CFB Edmonton. His next posting was to 1 Airborne Engineer Squadron (1 AB Engr Sqn) in Edmonton during which time he served in Cyprus with the Canadian Airborne Regiment during the Turkish invasion.

George then returned to CFSME for two years as an instructor before returning to 1 AB Engr Sqn in 1976 as its last Commanding Officer. After his tour as Commanding Officer, George had a two-year posting as an instructor at the Combat Arms School in Gagetown NB. This tour was followed by a year as a student at Canadian Forces Staff College in Toronto ON in 1979, after which he was posted to National Defence Headquarters in the Directorate of Military Engineering Plans.

George retired from the Canadian Forces in 1982 and Joined the Northwest Territories government for a few years as an infrastructure engineer.  George then moved to Burlington ON,  where he established his own consulting business, Wesko Management Group. He later moved to Lethbridge AB. His company provided project management for industrial, commercial, and educational facilities and mediation for all levels of construction and commercial claims.

Details on the funeral arrangements will be advised when available.

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper C. Randall "Randy" Ervin (Ret’d) of Little Harbour NS, on 26 August 2023 at age 80.  

Born in New Glasgow NS, Randy joined the Royal Canadian Engineers at age 18 and travelled to British Columbia for his sapper training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack.  He made many friends during his 12 years in the Canadian Forces and especially enjoyed his time in Recruit Squadron at RCSME.  

After retiring from the Canadian Forces, Randy worked for many years as a heavy-duty mechanic throughout Pictou County.  He was a jack of all trades and could put his hand to anything. Randy had many adventures in his antique 1956 yellow Mercury truck.

The family will hold a Celebration of Life ceremony on Wednesday, 30 August 2023, at the Little Harbour Fire Department [8328 Pictou Landing Road, Trenton, NS] between 2 and 4:00 PM. Around 3:30 PM,  you can share your memories of Randy. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Leading Aircraftsman James Denver "Red" Hill, CD (Ret'd) on 24 August 2023 in Perth ON  at the age of 89 years.

One of six children, Jim grew up in "the Village" off Preston St. in Ottawa ON. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in the early 1950s as a Firefighter and received his initial training in Aylmer ON. Jim's military career saw him posted to locations such as  4 Wing at RCAF Station in Baden Germany, Fort Churchill MB, and RCAF Stations Downsview and  Rockcliffe in Ontario.

Jim worked at the Defence Research Board in Ottawa after he retired from the Canadian Forces, and completed his career as a firefighter with the Smiths Falls Fire Department. Some of his favourite pastimes were: years of contributing to the "Terry Fox Run," doing the annual Polar Plunge, selling tickets for the Lions Club, being a Santa on the Kettle for The Salvation Army, acting as a counsellor at Camp Merrywood, attending church as an Usher, and raising monies for the Community in other creative ways. 

There will be a Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 5 September 2023, at St. John's the Baptist Catholic Church [38 Wilson St. E., Perth]. A reception will follow at The Lions Hall, [50 Arthur St., Fairgrounds, Perth.]  Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Captain Leonard Brian Seward, MMM, CD (Ret'd) on  20 August 2023 in his 96^th year. Brian was a Second World War veteran, a long-serving member, and leader of 6^th Field Squadron and 2573 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps.

Brian was born in Manchester, England. During the Second World War, he attended the local school where his lessons were often interrupted by German bomber air raids. He was one of the few boys on his street who owned a bicycle, which allowed him to volunteer as an Air Raid Precautions messenger boy until he was old enough to be accepted into the Royal Navy. After training as a Gunner, Brian joined the crew of the deep-sea tug HMS Jaunty. He then saw service in home waters, the Mediterranean and then, by VJ Day, the islands close to Rangoon in Burma. Following his release from the Royal Navy, Brian joined the Merchant Navy Service and visited many parts of the world, including Vancouver.

Brian immigrated to Canada in 1955. He tried to join the Canadian Navy Reserve in 1960 at 33, but was told he was too old. Two years later, he was eagerly accepted as a Sapper in 6^th Field Engineer Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers. Brian quickly moved up through the ranks and, by 1969, was promoted to Master Warrant Officer and appointed as the Squadron Sergeant Major. Brian stepped down as SSM in 1973 but stayed on in 6^th Field Engineer Squadron and was seen on many field exercises.

During all his time with the squadron, Brian's interest in collecting military memorabilia led him to begin putting aside historically important items. By 1965, he began to safeguard these items by cataloging them and putting them aside for future display. This collection became a part of the 6^th  Field Engineer Squadron Museum. 

Brian was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Cadet Instructor Cadre in 1979 and was immediately appointed as the Training Officer in 2573 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps.  In 1980,  Lieutenant Seward was awarded the Order of Military Merit (MMM) for his service to the Reserves and the North Shore community.  He was appointed as the Commanding Officer of his Cadet Corps in 1985 and was promoted to Captain. 

After retirement, Brian enjoyed working at the Vancouver Court House and the sheriff's department. His work with collecting and cataloguing memorabilia for the museum continued. He worked tirelessly on adding artifacts to the expanding collection of memorabilia, especially medals of deceased 6^th  Field veterans. The 6^th  Field Engineer Squadron Museum Association was incorporated in 2006 and the museum was officially named "The Captain Brian Seward MMM, CD Gallery." With his vast knowledge of history and military medals, Brian was asked to restore medals for Veterans, First Responders, and other dignitaries. Movie Director Steven Spielberg consulted him to advise and design medals for three movies. In 2010, Brian was awarded the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation for "Working tirelessly to preserve the history of 6^th  Field Engineer Squadron" and the memory of those who served.  

Throughout his career, Brian was awarded a number of decorations: the Order of Military Merit (MMM), the Defence Medal,  the 1939-1945 War Medal, the Naval General Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal (Korea), the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Canadian Forces Decoration with two bars for 32 years of service to Canada, and the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation in 2010. 

A celebration of life with family and a few friends was held for Brian on 21 October 2023 at the "Lion's Den" on Strathaven Drive in North Vancouver. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Graham Westley Heron, peacefully on 18 August 2023, at age 74 in New Glasgow NS at the Aberdeen Hospital.

Born in Halifax, Graham began serving his country in his late teens when he joined the Canadian Army. He served for 11 years as a Field Engineer with the Royal Canadian Engineers before remustering to Aero Engine Technician with the Royal Canadian Air Force. During this career, Graham’s postings included being with the Navy for three years in the Mediterranean as a helicopter technical specialist. Upon retirement from the Canadian Forces, Graham was employed with the Shearwater Aviation Museum for five years where he worked on restoring antique military aircraft. 

Funeral arrangements are private. Graham believed in “paying it forward.” If desired, paying a restaurant or food bill for a working family in his memory would be most fitting. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.