Sgt Michael Jude Gardiner, CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Michael Jude Gardiner, CD (Ret’d) on 11 March 2021 in Angus ON at age 65.

Michael grew up in Reserve Mines, Cape Breton Island, NS and left home to join the Canadian Forces at the age of 17.  He served a full career of more than 30 years with the Canadian Military Engineers that included postings to 1 Combat Engineer Regiment in Chilliwack BC, 22 Field Squadron in Camp Gagetown NB, and Canadian Forces Base Borden with Roads and Grounds. Mike was the model for “Sapper,” Colonel Gauthier’s 1981 iconic statue of a sapper with a mine detector.

Michael retired from the Canadian Forces in 2000 and then worked as a grounds keeper at the Borden Golf Club for a number of years before returning to Cape Breton in 2017 to reside in Big Bras d'Or. After he was diagnosed with cancer in November 2020, Mike resided with his sister for a while before returning to Angus in February 2021 to be with his two sons and their families.

Michael wished to be cremated and his cremains shared between Ontario and Cape Breton. In Memorium donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or any charity of choice would be appreciated by the family.