We regret to announce that FHG 211 William (Bill) John Patterson passed away on October 13^th in his 97^th year.

Bill’s relationship with Fort Henry began when he joined the Fort Henry Guard in 1952.  In his fourth summer (1955) as Serjeant-Major, he led the Guard in their first visit to Washington to parade with the United States Marine Corps.

During the winter off-season he worked with Ronald Way on development of the artillery uniforms and the FHG Colours, both of which were introduced in the 1955 season. In September 1955 he transferred from the militia (Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment) to the Canadian army (Canadian Guards) and spent ten years as a full-time soldier.  

Lance Corporal Patterson keeping a watchful eye on two students at Fort Henry in 1952.

Way recruited Patterson in 1965 to return to work with him as the Superintendent of Historic Sites for the St. Lawrence Parks Commission with responsibility for Fort Henry and Upper Canada Village as well as Fairfield House (Amherstview) and Gutzeit House (Bath).

Fort Henry and the Guard thrived during Bill’s tenure with improvements to the uniforms and accoutrements, alternating visits with the United States Marine Corps beginning in 1969 and extensive travel during Canada’s centennial in 1967 and Ontario’s bicentennial in 1984.

Bill also oversaw a substantial increase in the number of Sunset Ceremonies from once a week on Wednesdays in July and August, adding Retreats on Saturdays in 1971 and then to three-a-week with performances on Mondays in 1984. During this period, the size of the Guard increased from about 100 to a strength of 144 in 1984.

Bill retired from the St. Lawrence Parks Commission in 1987. During his time with the SLPC, Bill continued his connection with the Canadian Forces militia as the Commanding Officer of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, as Colonel responsible for militia in Eastern Ontario and then as Brigadier-General looking after militia units in Ontario.

Although Bill had done some writing, such as the Fort Henry booklet in his time with the SLPC, during retirement he wrote extensively with books on Pittsburgh Township, St. Mark’s Anglican Church, PWOR, SD&G Highlanders, Canadian Guards and the Grenadier Guards to mention only a few.

In terms of his support for the FHG Club, Bill was one of the instigators and supporters for the reunions beginning in 1968, one of the founding members of the Club in 1987 and secretary for the Club in the late 1980s.

The Fort Henry Guard and the Club have lost one of their most dedicated members and Canada has lost one of its loyal soldiers.

John Grenville, October 20, 2026

Bill’s funeral will be held on Saturday, October 31 at 2 p.m. at St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Barriefield with the Reverend Sandra Hounsell-Drover officiating. A reception will follow at the Church Hall. All are welcome.

Link to Bill’s obituary:  Kingston Whig-Standard

We are saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Doug Roberts, FHG 405, on April 24, 2026 at the age of 86.  After completing secondary school in Winchester, Doug spent the summers of 1959 through 1962 as a member of the Fort Henry Guard.  

Doug began his teaching career at Cornwall Collegiate Vocational School, and later spent 30 years teaching at Lake Superior High School.  You can read more about Doug’s career and extensive accomplishments during his retirement here.  

We extend our condolences to Doug’s children Dean, Kevin and Leanne, as well as his extended family and friends.  Donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, or any animal rescue charity of your choosing would be appreciated.

Peter Doherty, FHG 701, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2026 following a long battle with Parkinson’s and a short battle with cancer.  He joined the Fort Henry Guard in 1968, and founded his investment counsel firm PJ Doherty & Associates in Ottawa in 1979.  

Peter was a mentor and a proud supporter of various charities and foundations, including the Ottawa Hospital Foundation, the Ottawa Heart Institute, the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation, the Rotary Club of Canada and the Ottawa Mission. He was a founding member of the Ottawa Community Foundation. Peter was awarded the Governor General of Canada’s 125th Anniversary of Confederation of Canada Medal to celebrate his many contributions to compatriots, community and the country.

You can read Peter’s full obituary here. 

On behalf of the Fort Henry Guard Club, we extend our sincere condolences to Peter’s wife Morleen, his family and friends.

Donald Rickerd, who was a member of the Fort Henry Guard in the 1950s, passed away on September 6, 2026 at the age of 93.

Don studied history and economics at Queen’s, and modern history at Oxford, followed by legal training at Osgoode Hall.  He had a multifaceted and eclectic career, working as a lawyer, university registrar, foundation executive, royal commissioner, professor, Asia expert and board member. He spent more than 25 years at Massey and Trinity colleges and the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy as a research associate and unpaid fellow, advising generations of students.  

Dr. Jack Cunningham, one of Don’s colleagues, wrote a touching In Memoriam piece for members of the Trinity College community.  You can read the full post here.  

We extend our condolences to Don’s wife Julie and to his son Christopher.

Charles Molson, FHG 695, passed away on September 19, 2025 in Kingston.  Don joined the Fort Henry Guard in 1967, and went on to teach math at St. Lawrence College, and in retirement, continued to teach part-time at Queen’s University. 

You can read Charles’s complete obituary here. 

We extend our condolences to Charles’s family, friends, and his many former students.