We are saddened to learn that David Vrooman, FHG 513, passed away on January 31 at the age of 81.  Martin Blaser, FHG 1022, shared some memories of Dave via Facebook:

Dave received his guard number in 1961 and was one of the few among us to attend the Royal Tournament held at Earls Court exhibition building in London England. Dave once told us “Queen’s Meds and football were a large part of the Squad and U of T music students were a major part of the Drums” during his time with the Guard. “We were very lucky in our timing to be a part of the Royal Tournament experience.”

Here’s a photo of Dave and some of his comrades on the plane heading to London in 1963, with Dave sitting left front, Bob Lawrence (FHG 524) sitting directly behind Dave, Lawrie Garnett ( FHG 436) sitting right front, Paul Munroe ( FHG 480) on the right side in the dark t-shirt and Dick Gates (FHG 498) standing waving his arms.

We extend our condolences to Dave’s wife Rosemary, their four children, and seven grandchildren.

Kingston Whig-Standard obituary.

Dr. Richard James, FHG 298, passed away on December 19, 2023 at the age of 92.

Dick joined the Fort Henry Guard in 1955, and was a member of the winning Armstrong Gun team in 1958.  During his studies at Queen’s University, he was also a member of the Queens Comets and the Golden Gaels Football Team.  Dick practiced medicine for 50 years, and was Amhertsview’s first doctor, establishing the Amherstview Medical Center.

Dick James pictured with fellow Fort Henry Guard Wally Mellor (FHG 296), Ron Stewart (FHG 280), Gary Schreider (FHG 279) and Bill Surphlis (FHG 272)

We extend our sincere condolences to Dick’s Sally, and his many family and friends.

Kingston Whig-Standard obituary.

We are saddened to learn of the passing of the Honourable Hugh D. Segal, OC, OOnt, CD.  Hugh, FHG #4, was the Fort Henry Guard’s Honorary Commander from 2006 to 2021, and he was a wonderful advocate and champion for the Guard during his many years of service.  We offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends. 

The Honourable Hugh Segal has for many years observed the unique and strong character of the Guard and a wonderful advocate he has been. Hugh has faithfully attended the Guard’s annual Awards Ceremony, providing inspiration and sage advice that was always so keenly absorbed by young and impressionable minds; an opportunity and an honour that was so deeply appreciated. Hugh, we sincerely thank you for your faithful and dedicated service to the Guard since 2006. You are a dear friend whom we all will miss very much, although we hope you will continue to visit the Fort and support the Guard by your presence from time to time. We wish you all the best going forward.

Remarks from FHGCC Past President Michelle Foxton, FHG 1670, at the 2021 Change of Command Ceremony

You can read an interview with Hugh that appeared in The Guardsman in 2007 here. 

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. David Coulson, FHG 229, on December 29, 2022 at the age of 91.  David was a graduate of Queen’s University, where he received his medical degree in 1955, and he joined the Guard in 1953. 

During a long and distinguished career, David practiced medicine in several cities, including Thunder Bay, St. Anthony NL, and Musquodoboit Harbour NS.  He was an active member of the Canadian Naval Reserve, and was the Commanding Officer of HMCS Griffon, the first Medical Officer to hold that honour.

Donations in David’s memory may be made to The St. John’s (Portsmouth) Anglican Church Food Bank in Kingston, the Thunder Bay Food Bank or to the charity of your choice.

We extend our sincere condolences to David’s wife Beverley, his daughters Anne, Mary and Susan, son-in-law Frank Edgson, step-children Rosemary and George, and to his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Obituary:  Kingston Whig Standard

We recently learned that Francis “Frank” Clegg, FHG 180, passed away on September 19, 2021 at the age of 91. Frank joined the Fort Henry Guard in 1950, and studied at Queen’s University. In 1955, he was commissioned into the Royal Canadian Regiment, and retired from the army in 1975.

Following his time in the military, Frank joined the BC government’s Provincial Emergency Program, and retired in 1996 as the Regional Director – Lower Mainland, Ministry of the Environment.  A talented tennis and hockey player, Frank enjoyed playing golf several times a week well into his late 80s.

We extend our condolences to Frank’s wife Dee, his children Neil, Shelagh, and Geoffrey, and his grandchildren.

Obituary:  Chilliwack Progress

Sorry to learn that another former member of the Fort Henry Guard has passed away.  Donald Foster, FHG 198, died on October 19, 2022 at the age of 90.  Donald joined the Guard in 1952 and was part of its first trip to Washington in 1955.  After a 30+ year career with Imperial Oil, he returned to Kingston in the late 1980s and was an active volunteer for many years.

The family is encouraging donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in Donald’s honour.

We extend our condolences to his children Donna and Paul, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and to his extended family and friends.

Obituary:  Kingston Whig-Standard

Dr. Walter Rosser, FHG 490, passed away on October 2, 2022 after a brief illness.  Walter was a member of the Guard of 1961, and went on to have a remarkable 55-year career as a clinician, teacher, researcher and leader in family medicine.

Walter’s personal and professional accomplishments and accolades are too long to list here.  He served as chair of four of the five family medicine departments in Ontario: University of Ottawa; McMaster University; University of Toronto and Queen’s University, his alma mater, where he was a professor emeritus in his final years. In 2017, his peers established The Walter Rosser Chair in Family Medicine in his honour.

In 2010, Walter was named to the Order of Canada, and his citation read:  “Walter Rosser has helped to advance the field of family medicine and has contributed to the evolution of primary care research in Canada. He has been most influential in building mechanisms for the review and evaluation of health care systems, notably helping to establish practice-based research networks in Canada… and has long promoted evidence-based medicine in his field. A leader in primary care reform, he has influenced policy and guidelines not only within Canada, but also in many other countries around the world.”

We extend our sincere condolences to Walter’s wife Janet, his children Tom and Nancy, and his many family, friends and colleagues.

Obituary: Ottawa Citizen

We were saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Ronald Blair, FHG 1219, on August 31, 2022.  Ron grew up in Kingston, and was a proud member of the Fort Henry Guard, which he joined in 1983.  After graduating from St. Francis Xavier University, he had a successful career as a CFO and consultant for several Ottawa-based tech companies.

Donations in Ron’s memory may be made to the Ottawa Heart Institute or the Ottawa Food Bank.

We extend our sincere condolences to Ron’s wife Sandra, his children Jacob and Samantha, and to his family and friends.

Obituary:  Tubman Funeral Homes