We regret to advise of the death of Major Albert Joseph Arcand, CD (Ret’d) peacefully at age 98 on Thursday, 5 January 2017 at his home in Aurora ON.
Albert was born on the family farm south of the village of Dollard, SK. He was a veteran of the Second World War, who, after a short career in mining at Perron, QC and Kimberley BC, he enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1942. Initially serving as a Corporal in the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, he transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1943. In the RCAF Albert trained as a navigator and as a pilot officer and then trained others for the duration of the war.
Albert completed his secondary education in Regina, SK in 1945 and entered the University of Saskatchewan that Fall - graduating in 1949 with a BSc in Agricultural Engineering. He then re-enlisted as a lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Engineers and served in Chilliwack, BC and Montréal, QC before deploying for the Korean War. Captain Arcand served overseas in Korea with the 59th Independent Field Squadron (1953 -1954) where he participated in the last four months of the war and the first eight months of the truce.
After returning to Canada Albert was posted to Central Area Headquarters at Oakville, ON, where he was initially occupied with the emergency efforts following Hurricane Hazel in 1954. Promoted to Major, he then commanded No. 5 Works Company at Camp Valcartier, QC (1957- 1961) followed by a posting to Regina, SK (1961 -1963). Returning to Oakville, he deployed overseas for service with the International Control Commission in Laos (1964 -1965).
After his retirement in 1967, Albert worked for six years as a project manager during the first phase of the construction of York University. Afterward, he worked for Royal LePage Commercial Development Division in project management, supervising the construction of several office towers in Toronto before he fully retired in 1990.
Albert was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 385 in Aurora and faithfully participated in the Poppy Campaign and Remembrance Day ceremonies for many years. Proud of his service with the Royal Canadian Engineers, he was a member of the Military Engineers Association of Canada and the Retired Sappers.
Albert was very active with his church and was a member of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Aurora since 1968 as well as a member of Mission catholique Saint-Frère-André in Aurora since 2004. He was a Sir Knight of the Knights of Columbus, serving as Faithful Scribe of the Father James J. Hayes Assembly 2460 in Newmarket and as Financial Secretary and worthy Trustee of Aurora Council 6519 between 2006 and 2015. Albert was also a member of the Colonel Fred Tilston Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in Aurora.
Visitation will be on Sunday, 8 January 2017 from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 p.m at Thompson Funeral Home, 530 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora. Funeral Mass will be on Monday, 9 January 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Church, 15347 Yonge Street, Aurora. Reception in the Parish Hall following the Funeral Mass.
In Memory of Albert, donations may be made to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 385, Raise the Roof Campaign OR Knights of Columbus Council 6519 or Mission Catholique Saint-Frère-André. Online Condolences can be left with the funeral home. {khJan 2017}
