We regret to advise of the death of Major George Russell Tarasuk, CD (Ret’d) on 15 November 2022 in Toronto ON at age 96 years.
George started his military career as a Sapper when he enlisted with the Royal Canadian Engineers in Halifax NS in 1949. After his basic Field Engineer training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering (RCSME), he stayed in Vedder Crossing for four years before being posted to Fredericton NB. A promotion there to Sergeant saw him moving to Camp Utopia NB in 1957. Promoted to Staff Sergeant the next year, he was soon off to Egypt with the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF). George returned to Canada for a short posting to Vancouver and then he was off to Hemer, Germany for a three-year tour. He returned to Canada for a short stay in Camp Borden ON before he headed west to Camp Dundurn SK where he was priomoted to Warrant Officer Second Class.
George was then selected for Commissioning from the Ranks and, after his officer training at RCSME, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in 1967. Early in his commissioned career, he was posted to Canadian Forces Bases in Soest in Germany and Shelburne NS. George was then Deputy Construction Engineering Officer on the Canadian Forces Europe Construction Engineering staff (1974/76) before being posted to National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. In Ottawa, George served with Compensation and Benefits as well as with Director General Quartering. George retired from the Canadian Forces in 1981.
George joined the Public Service in 1981 with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) for a second career. He soon took a posting to New Delhi, India and then returned to Ottawa in 1987 to the Physical Resources Bureau where he was assigned the Asia Pacific desk.
There will be no formal service or funeral for George. Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be interred in the Last Post Columbarium in Halifax with a brief ceremony for the family. Online condolences can be left with the funeral home.
