The members of the Regimental Family offer their sincere condolences to the family and friends of former members and “Friends” of the Regimental Family who have passed away:
31 October 2024: George Francis Bissonette served with the Regiment at the Armories in the 1970s as a Regular Support Staff member in Quartermaster stores. The full obituary can be found here.
28 August 2024: LCol (ret’d) John Richard (Rick) Wesley McLauchlan served as the Commanding Officer of the Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment from 1984 to 1985. The full obituary can be found here.
20 February 2024: Gerald “Gerry” Steenburgh was a Regular Force Member in the Signals and Logistic trades prior to joining the PWOR in the early 80s. Gerry retired as the Regimental Quartermaster at the rank of Master Warrant Officer (MWO) in the mid-90s. The full obituary can be found here.
31 January 2024: Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret’d) David Vrooman was Commanding Officer of the PWOR and longtime supporter of the Pipes & Drums. The full obituary can be found here.
2 November 2023: Stuart Alistair MacDonald served as the PWOR museum curator and was an active member of the regimental family. The full obituary can be found here.
28 October 2023: Colonel A. Britton Smith, CM, MC, CD, QC, KLd’H (Fr), Senior Colonel of the Regiment, was a decorated WWII veteran, and served in the PWOR after the war, and later, as the Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel (1968-1974) and Honorary-Colonel (1974-1984; 1992-1995). The full obituary can be found here.
21 October 2023: David Stirling Peacock served in the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and was a member of the PWOR in the 1970s. You can read the full obituary here.
5 October 2023: Ronald Charles Miller sat on the PWOR Association for several years. You can read the full obituary here.
8 August 2023: Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret’d) Edward Bradley C.D. was CO of the PWOR from 1999-2002 and a valued member of Senate. You can read the full obituary here.
11 June 2023: Gilbert (Gil) Pierog retired from the PWOR in 1998 and remained an active member of the PWOR association. You can read the full obituary here.
6 April 2023: Eleanor Kathleen Einarson is the wife of former Honorary Colonel Dawson W. Einarson, OMM, CD. You can read the full obituary here.
22 March 2023: John Cowan served with the Canadian Armed Forces for over 10 years, first with the Princess of Wales Own Regiment (Kingston, Ontario) and later with the Brockville Rifles Reserves. He retired as a Captain and received the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD). You can read the full obituary here.
20 June 2022: Benjamin John Roy “Ben” Foley served with the PWOR and then worked for the Commissionaires and G4S Security. To plant a tree in memory of Benjamin Foley, please visit Tribute Store. You can read the full obituary here.
5 June 2022: Michael Hartman served as a Private with the PWOR. You can read the full obituary here. Donations to UHKF “Mental Health” Sharing Memories. Online condolences: www.gftompkinscentral.ca
6 May 2022: Eric Ralph Coombs was the Regimental Sergeant Major of the PWOR in the mid-1990s. Throughout his military career he did two tours in Germany, he was an Instructor at Vernon Cadet Camp (1970) and also CFB Cornwallis, NS (1973-1975). Eric was also the Drill Sergeant Major at RMC in Kingston, ON (1985-1988). Eric’s favorite employment was being the Battery Sergeant Major of W Battery Field Artillery School from 1989-1991.You can read the full obituary here.
16 December 2020: Raman Datta Chaudhry was a member of the PWOR in the late 70’s early 80’s. You can read the full obituary here.
28 October 2020: Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret’d) William Albert Leavey was the CO of the PWOR from 2002-2006. He served as an Infantry Officer for 42 years in the Canadian Army (in Canada, Cyprus and Germany). The service will be live streamed due to COVID. Please click this link to register for live streaming. For those who wish, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to Soldier On and would be gratefully appreciated by the family. You can read the full obituary here.
17 May 2020: Eugene Beyba was in the unit in the late fifties and early sixties. You can read the obituary here and express your condolences online. A private family burial to take place. Donations to the Lennox & Addington County General Hospital or Diabetes Association would be appreciated by the family.
4 May 2020: Robert Ogilvie was a member of the PWOR from the late fifties to the early seventies. He was also the Treasurer of the Association for several years and one of its original members.
29 April 2020: SLt Abbigail Cowbrough. She was an accomplished piper and highland dancer who volunteered with our Regimental Pipes & Drums during her time at the Royal Military College of Canada.
12 April 2020: Wade “Wadi” Lacroix was a member of the PWOR from 1968-1980 as a Sergeant. He later joined the OPP.
26 May 2019: Fern McQueen passed away in her 92nd year. She was the beloved wife of the late LCol (Ret’d) James David McQueen who commanded the Regiment (4 Jan 1965 until 4 Nov 1967) and who served twice as HLCol (15 January 1994 – 3 March 2000 and 20 May 2006 – 22 Oct 2009). The obituary can be found here.
5 June 2018: Robert Norman (Bob) Pollitt at the age of 88. Bob was the elder statesman of the Regimental Association. His leadership and dedication will be sorely missed.
3 March 2018: Robin (Robbie) Hughes, BGen (Ret’d) at the age of 92. Grandson of the late BGen William St. Pierre, PWOR (CO 21st Battalion, CEF). A commemorative service will not be held; however, his ashes will be spread during the coming summer at a special spot on Bob’s Lake.
24 January 2018: Victor “Vic” Brennan – Passed away suddenly at the age of 72. Vic Brennan, beloved husband of Debbie (nee Griffin). Much loved father of Karalyn Pines (Travis), Laura Brennan, Carrie Nicol and Kelly Nicol (Robert Simms). Cherished grandfather of Metteo and Dani. Dear brother of Lawrence (Terri). Predeceased by 1 sister Betty Brennan and by 2 brothers Bill and John (Bud). Also survived by several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at the TOMPKINS FUNERAL HOME on Tuesday January 30 from 2-4 pm. In lieu of flowers donations made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family.
23 September 2017: David Stanley Morkem – LCol (Ret’d), Commanding Officer 1991-1995. It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David Morkem following a courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at the age of 77. Beloved husband to Linda (Jeeves) and loving father to Scott (Maria), Lynn (Arden), Matthew (Lindsay), Rachael and Abigail. Cherished granddad to Ryann, Kelsey, Keegan, Reid, Colin and Alex. Sadly predeceased by his loving grandson Ross and former wife Reba (Bugden). He will be missed by his sister Judy (Tom). A career soldier, enthusiastic farmer and skilled woodworker who lived his life to the fullest, never losing his sense of humor and passed with no regrets.
21 August 2017: Robert Hawker “Bob” Nuttall. February 27, 1924 – August 21, 2017. Veteran, WW II and Korea, Bob, in his 94th year, died peacefully at KHSC-Kingston General Hospital. Loving husband of predeceased Janine Nuttall (nee Bedard). Son of the late Frank Hawker Nuttall and the late Elizabeth Anne (nee Taylor). Loving father of Anne Carney (Owen), Squamish BC, Michelle Nakano (Bart), Abbotsford, BC, Steven Daniel Raymond Nuttall (deceased), and Michael Barry Nuttall and his wife Angela (nee Sauve). Very proud grandfather of Robyn Nakano and Jared and Adam Nuttall. Family and friends will be received at the James Reid Funeral Home, 1900 John Counter Blvd., Kingston (613) 544-3411, on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 from 1:00-1:50pm, followed by a service in the chapel to celebrate Bob’s life at 2:00pm. A reception will be held in the James Reid Reception and Celebration Centre at the conclusion of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory may be made to Wounded Warriors Canada or to the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund.
25 April 2017, Sgt William Richard CALBERRY. Passed away peacefully in his 76th year at Providence Care Hospital, in the arms of his loving wife of 49 years and his daughter after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Survived by his wife Marie, his son William (Jenn), his daughter Eleanor (Kevin), his grandchildren, Caleigh, Aidan, Brynna, Emma and Isabella. Also survived by his siblings, Sarah (Bill), Ernest (Jan), Tom (Joan) and Melodie (Earl). According to Bill’s wishes cremation has taken place and a private service will be held at TROUSDALE FUNERAL HOME at a later date. A special thank you to Drs. Gregg, Falkson, Petsikas, Tomiak, Goldie, Frank, Logan, Gibbens and the staff of both the Cancer Centre of South Eastern Ontario and Providence Care. A proud former member of the Princess of Wales Own Regiment and DuPont retiree. Donations in Bill’s memory to UHKF (Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario) would be appreciated by the family. www.trousdalefuneralhome.com
13 December 2016, Major John Alfred Hirschfield, age 92. He achieved the rank of Major in the Princess of Wales Own Regiment where he served for over 30 years, acting as 2nd in Command under Commanding Officers Art Twigg and James McQueen. http://yourlifemoments.ca/sitepages/obituary.asp?oId=991442
31 July 2016, Major James “Sonny” Arsenault –Christened with the first name , Major, he chose to be known as “Sonny”, to avoid obvious confusion. He retired from the Reg Force in 1980, and worked in Base Transport as a civilian and transferred to the PWOR that same year. He retired from the reserves in the early 90s and served with the Corps of Commissionaires for a number of years. Sonny was very well liked and had an endless number of friends and contacts. When he was the Unit Tpt. NCO, many resources magically appeared to fill our needs. When asked ‘ How did that happen? ‘, he would just shrug and smile. http://yourlifemoments.ca/sitepages/obituary.asp?oId=968581
16 July 2016, Rev John Hilliard — John served as Regimental Adjutant from the late 60s and into the mid 1970s. He was a dedicated officer who never sought the limelight, but was a calm, stabilizing , influence through some interesting times. As Adjutant, he was a wise counselor to all ranks, including many junior officers and a strong organizer behind some senior ones as well. http://yourlifemoments.ca/sitepages/obituary.asp?oId=965282
16 July 2016, Patrick Pidgeon — 45-year-old husband, father and Canadian Forces veteran served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, in 2006 and in 2010, before returning to firefighting http://www.thewhig.com/2016/07/16/fire-fighter-killed-in-amherstview-opp-confirm and https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/07/17/kingston-area-firefighter-dies-battling-apartment-fire.html
6 May 2015, Merice Boswell who was the wife of LCol Bob Boswell, and the mother of LCol Brad Boswell, PWOR, RCR. http://yourlifemoments.ca/sitepages/obituary.asp?oId=880366
30 April 2015, Tim Manser who served in the Regiment in the 70s and 80s.
http://yourlifemoments.ca/sitepages/obituary.asp?oId=880354
11 January 2015, LCol Ray Dignum was the epitome of dedication and service. Seventy-one years in uniform, fifty years of service to the PWOR. It was a calm, kind dignified service that sets a shining example to all of us. He possessed a keen intellect, with the ability to make hard decisions and still and be universally liked. And all with a twinkle in the eye, and a smile on the face that says “I like what I’m doing”.
2 May 2014, Michael Leo Bambrick. Mike served as the RSM of the Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment welcoming Princess Diana to Kingston, ON in 1991; a distinction he cherished throughout his career. Remembrances or donations can be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.