We regret to advise of the death of Colonel John Fitzgerald Preston, CD (Ret’d), peacefully at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC on 31 January 2017.
Born in Winnipeg, MB in 1928, John enrolled in the Officer Training Corps in 1947. He joined the Royal Canadian Engineers while in his final year at the University of British Columbia (1950) from which he graduated with a BSc in Civil Engineering. John attended Army Staff College in Kingston, ON in 1958 and attended the Royal Military College of Science staff course in the United Kingdom (1961 - 1962). Upon completion of this course he joined 4 Field Squadron in Germany.
John next served in Gaza and Palestine as Force Engineer, United Nations Emergency Force (1965 -1966). He was then assigned to Mobile Command Headquarters in St Hubert - first as the Senior Staff Officer (SSO) Force Requirements until 1969 followed by SSO Equipment and Standardization. He was then posted as Assistant Military Attaché to the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff in Washington, DC. John returned to Canada in 1972 and was appointed Director of Land Requirements (Armour and Mobility) until 1974 when he became Director of Cartographic Operations - a position he held until his retirement in 1979.
John devoted his life to military service as an officer in the Royal Canadian Engineers with frequent postings across Canada, the United States, the Middle East, and Europe. He was a staunch supporter of the Royal Canadian Engineers and the Canadian Military Engineer Family and made many professional contributions to their success and to the Canadian Forces.
At John’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Condolences and remembrances may be sent by visiting www.earthsoption.com.
