We regret to advise of the death of Major Wayne Lloyd Wharton, CD (Ret'd) BSc, P.Eng, peacefully at Kingston General Hospital on 14 December 2023 at the age of 85.
Wayne was born in Moose Jaw SK where he attended school until the end of Grade 11. During this time, he worked as a call boy and a checker for the Canadian National Railway to help support his family. Wayne entered Grade 13 when his family moved to Nelson BC.
Wayne's military career started when he entered Royal Roads Military College in 1956. He graduated from Royal Military College in 1960 and then Queen's University in Kingston ON. Wayne's first posting after completing his officer training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering was 3 Field Squadron in Chilliwack BC. After this tour, he became Detachment Commander of the Chilliwack Detachment of 11 Works Company.
Wayne then moved to England, where he was the Royal Canadian Engineer Exchange Officer with the Royal School of Military Engineering. Returning to Canada after this tour, he became the Base Construction Engineer at Canadian Forces Base Bagotville QC. Wayne was next appointed Commanding Officer of 4 Field Squadron in Germany (1970-72) where he moved the unit from Werl to Lahr.
Returning to Canada after this Germany tour, Wayne was posted to the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering. He next deployed on a United Nations peacekeeping tour in Pakistan in 1974. Wayne returned to Canada for his last tour, which was in Ottawa with the Directorate of Construction Engineering Requirements at National Defence Headquarters.
After retiring from the Canadian Forces, Wayne worked for an architect for a couple of years and then went to Corrections Canada where he engaged in planning and civil engineering work. He did some work with National Defence during the Gulf War (1990-91). In his final retirement, Wayne oversaw the building of their retirement home on Lake Opinicon ON.
Cremation has taken place. Interment will be at a later date in Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa, ON. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home .
