CME Family Last Post

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Leo Francis Burke (Ret'd) on 6 June 2024 at the Health Sciences Centre in St John's NL at age 70 years.

Leo was a full-time employee with the Public Works at Canadian Forces Station St John's. He joined 56 Field Squadron in St John's NL, in 1974. After completing his Sapper training at Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC, Leo trained with his unit, including exercises at Petawawa ON, Gagetown NB and Aldershot NS. He took his release from the Canadian Forces in 1982. 

Leo's family thanks the Sappers of 56 Field Engineer Squadron for visiting Leo in the hospital. 

As per Leo's wishes, cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life was held at his residence on 9 June 2024. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home. 

We regret to advise of the death of Master Corporal Vincent Aubrey Hunter, CD (Ret'd) of Fredericton NB on Thursday, 6 June 2024 at the Veteran's Health Unit in Fredericton at age 92. Vincent was a Korean Veteran.  

Born in Astle NB, Vincent served in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Field Engineer with the Royal Canadian Engineers for 28 years. He served two tours in Germany, spent five years in Chilliwack BC and many years at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown  NB, with 2 Field Squadron and 22 Field Squadron.

After retiring from the Canadian Forces, Vincent worked for the Corps Commissionaires for several years at CFB Gagetown. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #93 in  Oromocto NB.

A Graveside Service will be held in Astle Community Cemetery on Sunday, 9 June 2024, at 2:00  pm, followed by a reception at the Astle Community Centre. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Honorary Colonel James Robert Happer, CD (Ret’d) of Abbotsford BC, peacefully on 29 May 2024 at the age of 85 years. 

James was born in Burnie, Tasmania, Australia, but his family returned to England before the outbreak of WWII, eventually making a permanent home in Ealing, London. James began a five-year apprenticeship at John Dickinsons paper mill at the age of 16. As he also attended technical college, he became a qualified mechanical engineer. James emigrated to Canada in 1970 and settled in Lynn Valley in North Vancouver BC where his Canadian work career started at Wire Rope Industries.

James joined the Canadian Army Reserves in 1973.as a Sapper with 6^th Field Engineer Squadron in North Vancouver.   The following year, he received an officer’s commission. James was promoted to Captain in 1976 and qualified for the rank of Major in 1980. James served in the unit until 1990, when he retired and transferred to the Supplementary Reserve. 

In 1980, James moved his family to Abbotsford to take up a position at Turner Building Products in Mission. Later, he was employed with CPI Equipment in Langley, Wexxar Packaging in Steveston and retired as Senior Project Engineer from Tree Island Industries, Richmond.

James transferred to the Cadet Instructor List in 1997 to take command of 861 Silverfox Squadron in Abbotsford BC and was promoted to the rank of Major in September of that year. Major Happer relinquished command of 861 Silverfox Squadron in 2000 and transferred back to the Supplementary Reserve. In 2004, James became the Liaison Officer for the affiliation between 6^th Field Engineer Squadron and the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) in the United Kingdom. 

Major Happer was appointed Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of 6^th Field Engineer Squadron in 2005. In 2009, following the stand-up of 39 Combat Engineer Regiment, he was appointed as the first Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the new regiment. James was subsequently promoted to Honorary Colonel of the Regiment in January 2012 and held that appointment until 2015. James was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

During his 44 years as an Abbotsford resident, James contributed countless hours to the community, especially the youth. In addition to his being the Commanding Officer of 861 Silverfox Air Cadet Squadron, he was committee chairman of the Abbotsford Scouts, and he coached youth and men’s soccer teams. James was a member of Calvin Presbyterian Church, where he was Sunday School Superintendent, Chairman of the Board of Managers, helped with the downtown homeless ministry, and organized the Men’s Fellowship for 27 years.

James was a proud and active member of the local Legion Branch 15, handling the master of ceremonies duty on multiple years for the City of Abbotsford’s Remembrance Parade, Battle of Britain Day Service and the Vimy Ridge Candlelight Service.

A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, 14 July 2024, at Calvin Presbyterian Church {33911 Hazelwood Avenue, Abbotsford}. Donations In memory of James can be made to VETS Canada, Canadian Cancer Society or Calvin Presbyterian Church.  Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Michael McInnis (Ret'd) suddenly at his home on 28 May 2024 at the age of 37 years.

Mike enlisted in the Canadian Forces in 2012 and, after completing his basic Sapper training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in 2013, he was posted to 4 Engineer Support Regiment in Canadian Forces Base Gagetown NB. Later in his career, Mike remustered to the Mobile Support Equipment Operator trade and was posted to the Technical Services Branch at Base Gagetown.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, 4 June 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Oromocto Funeral Home. A service will held to honour and say farewell to Michael at Saint Luke's Chapel, CFB Gagetown on Wednesday, 5 June 2024, at 2:00 pm. A reception will follow. Michael will be laid to rest within the days to come beside his little sister, Sammy, at Fernwood Memorial Park in Middle Sackville NS,

In lieu of flowers, donations in Michael's name to the Canadian Mental Health Association would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

 

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Henry Leo Palindat, CD (Ret’d) on 26 May 2024 in Edmonton AB at the age of 93 years. 

Henry was born near the village of Parkman SK and grew up in  Virden MB. While living in Virden, he was a member of the Boy Scouts, the Air Cadets, and the Army militia. Henry quit school after Grade X  and went to work for a geophysical company and then a local garage. He next went to Calgary at age 17 to find work and ended up enlisting in the Royal Canadian Engineers at Currie Barracks AB.

Henry started his Sapper training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in December 1948 in Chilliwack and subsequently completed a Clerk’s course. His first posting was to the Chief Engineers Office at Army Headquarters in Ottawa followed by a  transfer to the Personnel, Royal Canadian Engineer office.

Henry was then posted to the Army Survey Establishment (now Mapping and Charting Establishment) in 1950. Promoted to Corporal that year, he requested and received a transfer to the Topographical Surveyor trade the following year. Henry was to spend more than 18 years in this new trade. As a Topographical Surveyor, he participated in some 13 survey field parties at places such as Gimli MB, Great Bear Lake YK, Kenora ON, the Arctic Islands, and Hudson Bay. He was a survey instructor at the School of Military Mapping during 1967 - 70 and retired from the Canadian Forces in 1970.

After retiring from the military, Henry continued his surveying and mapping career. He moved his family to Calgary, where he worked with J.C. Sproule and Associates for four years, performing photogrammetric work and making several maps. Henry then moved to Edmonton and worked for the Provincial Government where he performed surveying computations for six years. During this time, he obtained his commission as an Alberta Land Surveyor in 1979. 

Henry became an owner of Alpine Surveys Ltd, a legal survey company in Red Deer in 1981 but this adventure lasted  only 11 months due to the economic situation in 1981. He then took a position with the Provincial Government, performing control and legal surveys until his retirement in 1993. 

Henry was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Sappers Club, the Knights of Columbus, the Alberta Society of Surveying and Mapping Technologists (ASSMT), and St Theresa Parish Bowling League.

A Funeral Service took place at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church {7508 29 Avenue NW, Edmonton} on Thursday, 30 May at 11:00 AM, with visitation before the service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Master Warrant Officer H.G. Keith Arnold CD (Ret'd) of North Battleford SK on 17 May 2024 at the age of 81 years.. 

Keith was born in Maple Creek SK, and received his education in Golden Prairie, Maple Creek and Medicine Hat. He joined the Canadian Forces in 1961 at age 18 and served a long career in our Fire Service. Over his career, Keith served on 11 military bases that included Royal Canadian Air Force Station Centralia ON, RCAF Station Goose Bay NL, Canadian Forces Base Summerside PE, CFB Lahr, Germany, CFB Moose Jaw SK, CFS Dana SK, the Fire School at CFB Borden ON and CFB Cold Lake AB.

Keith retired from the Canadian Forces in 1982.  He moved to Medicine Hat and Regina before eventually ending up in North Battleford in 1989. Keith then served with the Saskatchewan Fire Commissioner's Office and with the city of North Battleford Fire Department. 

At Keith's request, no memorial service will be held, and he will be interred at a later date. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home. 

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Corporal Douglas Roussain (Ret’d) on 14 May 2024 in Sault Ste. Marie ON at age 67.

Doug was proud of his services as a former Royal Canadian Air Force Firefighter and was a member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Thursday, 23 May from 4:00-8:00pm in the Fogolore Room at the Marconi Multicultural Event Centre in  Sault Ste. Marie (450 Albert St. W).

In lieu of donations, contributions may be made payable to Carol Miners in support of a trust fund for Doug’s daughter Kyleigh. Condolences can be sent to the funeral home. 

We regret to advise of the death of Captain Fred Albert Neveaux, CD (Ret'd), of Victoria BC on 10 May 2024, at the age of 86.

Fred enrolled in the Canadian Forces in 1954 at the age of 16 with the Royal Canadian Engineers as a member of the 3^rd Intake of the Sapper Apprentice Program. He served proudly across Canada as a Construction Engineer until his retirement in 1984.

Fred's military career started with his being a construction technician for some 15 years before he was Commissioned from the Ranks in 1971. He served his first tour as an officer with 5^e Régiment du genie de combat in Valcartier QC, after which he served in the Base Construction Engineering Section at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt BC and the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC.

Fred retired from the Canadian Forces in 1984 at CFB Esquimalt. He then worked with the Public Service for the next decade in various positions until 1995, before segueing into leisure activities of travel, sailing, golf, and model railroading.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Fred's name may be made to Victoria Hospice.  Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home  A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, 31 May 2024, at First Memorial Funeral Services {4725 Falaise Drive in Royal Oak}. 
 

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Neil Evans Howk, CD (Ret'd), at home in Longview AB, on 5 May 2024 at the age of 64, after a lengthy illness.

Neil was born in Fernie  BC. His early years were full of adventure, travelling from post to post throughout British Columbia while his father served in the RCMP. Neil joined the Canadian Forces in 1985 to answer his country's call and became a Carpenter (Construction Technician). 

Neil's military career included postings in Canada in Chilliwack BC, Cold Lake AB, Gagetown NB, Calgary AB, Iqaluit NU and Masset, Haida Gwaii BC. His many overseas tours included Germany, Bosnia Herzegovina, Italy, Haiti, and Golan Heights. In addition, Neil was also an accomplished member of the Canadian Rifle Team.

Neil retired from the Canadian Forces in 2005. After testing a few options, he became his own boss. Neil ran this company successfully until, due to health, he stopped in 2022 when his focus changed from running his business to spending more time with family. 

Neil's funeral service will be held at the Snodgrass Funeral Home {200 Woodgate Road, Okotoks AB} on 23 May 2024 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please support the Veterans Food Bank of Calgary or lend a helping hand to someone needing a pick-me-up. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.