Deaths

NORMAN SARGENT KERR RRMC RMC 1953
March 13, 1930 – March 7, 2024

Today, we celebrate the incredible life of Norman Sargent Kerr, who passed away peacefully surrounded by family and an abundance of love.

Norm was the beloved husband of the late Donna (née Mitchell), cherished father of John (Laura), Neil (Kim), and Elizabeth (Patrick), and proud grandfather of Danielle, Devin, Emma, Nathan, Benjamin, and Joshua.

Born March 13, 1930 in the former township of Mountain, Ontario, Norm was the fourth child of Irish immigrants, David and Violet (née Forsythe) Kerr, and younger brother to Nancie, Trevor, and Patricia. His childhood was split between Mountain, Belfast, and Montreal. When his family settled in Toronto, Norm attended Vaughan Road C.I. There, he discovered an aptitude and passion for both athletics and maths.

Encouraged by his mother, he enrolled in the Royal Roads and Royal Military College Engineering programs earning the nickname “Nails” for his unyielding resolve to stay upright during parade groups, even in the scorching heat. Norm cherished this time and the lasting friendships he made with his classmates. These bonds were strengthened through reunions and the annual “Norm Kerr” Invitational Golf Tournament, which he organised well into his 70s, attracting classmates from across the country.

After graduating from RMC, Norm completed his degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto. Soon after, he met Donna Mitchell on a blind date at a local dance. His sense of humour and quick two-step swept her off her feet. They married six months later and went on to celebrate their golden anniversary. Donna was the love of Norm’s life, and his deep devotion to her never wavered.

Norm was an entrepreneur at heart and built several successful businesses in the clean-air manufacturing sector. However, his proudest accomplishment was his family and the strong bond they shared. Norm and Donna believed in the power of traditions. Our family was grounded in rituals built around holiday dinners, cottage vacations, birthday celebrations, and many, many meals at The Keg.

Norm lived a good long life and was so grateful for it. In his twilight years, he often marvelled at how extraordinary his ride had been. His family takes comfort in that reflection.

We extend our thanks to his GP, Dr. Avery Teplinsky, the pharmacy team at SDM0875, Amica Bayview, the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care,  his many wonderful PSWs, and his compassionate neighbours whose care and companionship allowed him to live independently at home well into his 90s.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care or your preferred charity in Norm’s memory would be greatly appreciated. Staying true to Norm’s wishes, his immediate family will gather privately for his interment followed by a dinner at The Keg to reminisce and toast a life well lived.

Norman left the world in a better place than he found it.

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Mike Wright RMC Class of 1972

The Class of ’72 regrets to advise of the death of our friend, 9313 Mike Wright on 20 February 2014 at the young age of 74 years.

Mike was a gifted athlete. He came to RMC from Peterborough, Ontario where he was born and raised. In high school at Adam Scott CVI, he excelled as a linebacker on the football team and as the point guard for the basketball team.  Most memorable during his time at Adam Scott was leading the team to win an Ontario Senior Basketball Championship in 1966.  Not bad for a guard with a towering height of five feet ten inches!

Mike started RMC recruit year in 4 Squadron in Fort Haldimand.  The RMC Basketball coach, Doug Hargreaves already knew of Mike’s skills on the basketball court and started him on the varsity team in his first year.  He would likely have played all four years, but a third-year injury kept him off the court in his final year. Instead, he stayed with the team until the end as an assistant coach.

Mike graduated in 1972 in Applied Science and was posted to CFB Moose Jaw to complete his pilot training. After landing his Tutor aircraft with only fumes left, Mike decided flying was not a career path he wished to follow and transferred to the Navy.  Within a few years, he completed his obligatory service and entered the banking field with HSBC Banking.  He found his niche and had a full career culminating as a Bank Manager.

Mike had been battling cancer for many years. While it deterred him from many sports he loved, it didn’t hold him back. He travelled to Florida for a few winters, enjoying card tables (especially when he won), playing games with the grandchildren (where he said he could never win because the kids kept changing the rules), going to favourite restaurants and making frequent stops at Tim Horton’s.

Mike leaves behind a large family and a great group of friends and colleagues. He will missed by us all. A private celebration of life will be held in Guelph. Please contact Angela at iamangeliko@hotmail.com for more information. Instead of flowers, donations can be made to the Guelph General Hospital or the Canadian Cancer Society.

A tree will be planted in memory of Michael I. Wright in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.

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Richard Bryant RRMC RMC Class of 1963

No formal obituary is available for Richard S. Bryant (Feb 1941–Jan 2024), . The following is a repeat of the information on the Chamber of Shipping’s notice:

Our former President, Rick Bryant, passed away peacefully on January 11th surrounded by his loving family on Vancouver Island.  He was appointed as President in January 2002 and retired in 2008 on Vancouver Island. Before joining the organization, Rick spent over 30 years in public service with the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Canadian Hydrographic Service, and completed his service as the Pacific Regional Director for the Canadian Coast Guard.  During his time with the Chamber, he played an active role in Canada’s implementation of the ISPS Code, and 2004 led the development of the first inventory of emissions from ships in collaboration with our members, Environment Canada and Metro Vancouver.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Rick during this difficult time.

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Jacques Gauthier CMR Class of 1952

C’est avec regret que nous annonçons le décès de M. Jacques Marcel Gauthier de Notre-Dame-des-Prairies, le 28 février 2024 à l’âge 91 ans.

Époux de feu Madeleine Picard, il laisse dans le deuil son frère Marcellin (Marie-Josée) et sa sœur Micheline (Jean) ainsi que ses enfants : Serge, Luc (Cécile Charpentier), Gilles, Alain (Chantal Valcourt), Vincent (Daniel Poisson) ainsi que ses petits-enfants : Alexandre Charpentier (Alexia Briand), Isabelle Charpentier (Steven Lafortune), Fabrice Valcourt (Natalia Pereira), Justin Valcourt, Laurence Gervais-Gauthier, Guillaume Gervais-Gauthier, ainsi que les arrière-petits-enfants : Marc-Olivier, Gabriel, Élisabeth.

Il laisse également dans le deuil de nombreux parents, beaux-frères et belles-sœurs, neveux et nièces et ami.es.

Détail des funérailles
Exposition
Complexe funéraire Lachance Inc.
152 R. Curé-Rondeau Notre-Dame-des-Prairies, QC J6E 1G8 Québec Canada
Le 16 mars 2024 de 13:00 à 16:00

Cérémonie
Chapelle du Complexe funéraire Lachance Inc.
152 R. Curé-Rondeau Notre-Dame-des-Prairies, QC J6E 1G8 Québec Canada
Le 16 mars 2024 de 15:30 à 16:00

Réception
Complexe funéraire Lachance Inc.
152 R. Curé-Rondeau Notre-Dame-des-Prairies, QC J6E 1G8 Québec Canada
Le 16 mars 2024 de 16:00 à 18:00

Complexe funeraire Lachance
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Erik James Littlepoplar RMC 2019-2020 –  31 August 2001 – 15 December 2023

Obituary submitted by Alexandre Stevenson, Classmate and friend of Erik

The entry class of 2019 to the Royal Military College of Canada has lost a much-loved member. A social-justice poet, from North Battleford Saskatchewan, Erik Littlepoplar stood out partly because of his towering height and his proud Indigenous heritage, but he stood out mostly due to the bonds of friendship. In any part of his peer group, whether it was 8 Squadron, the rugby team, or his friends from basic training, Erik was always looking out for the interests of others. Those closest to him saw glimpses of the harsh realities of life that too many Indigenous people still face. His poetry and photography, including his posts on Instagram and Facebook, reveal a man connected to the land, but who struggled. He sent part of his salary home to help support his family. After leaving RMC, he remained in Kingston working in a variety of jobs, including at a homeless shelter, helping those in need. He was a kind soul, a loyal friend. His time at RMC was brief, but he will never be forgotten. The obituary posted by his family is available here. We extend our sympathies to his family and friends in his home community. Erik was our friend. We will remember him.