Another sad day in the Dragoons

[Franko]

As relayed by George Wallace:

To the Regimental Family & Friends of The Regiment,

It is with the deepest regret that we inform you of the death of Sgt John
Eli Johannessen.  Sgt Johannessen died at his home in Cobden, Ontario on the
evening of 06 September in an apparent suicide.  This has yet to be
confirmed definitively and will not be known until the OPP investigation
which is ongoing is concluded.

Details of the military memorial service and funeral service will be made
available once these details are known.

Any letters of condolence may be forwarded to the Regimental Adjutant,
Captain Rick Cameron, or to the CO's Secretary, Muggsie Boland.

Sgt Johannessen is survived by his wife Genny Sue. Our sincere condolences
go out to Sgt Johannessen's immediate and extended family, our thoughts at
prayers are with them.  The Regiment is doing everything it can to assist
the Johannessen family through this very difficult period.


Audax et Celer


J.L. (John) Andrews
Major
OC HQ Sqn/Acting Regimental 2IC
Royal Canadian Dragoons
CFB Petawawa Local 5673
(613) 687-5511 ext. 5673



Muggsie

CO's Secretary RCD
5649
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My condolences to his wife and kids.

Regards

 

[TangoTwoBravo]

I served with Sgt Johannessen (we all called him JJ) last year and I got to know him very well.  We were both in SHQ of the same Sqn and worked very closely together.  He was a dedicated soldier who placed the welfare of the troops ahead of his own every time.  I was stunned when I was told this morning.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this most difficult time.

Iain

 

[John Nayduk]

Truly a sad day.  I served with JJ in Bosnia in 94-95.  A good man.  He will be missed.

 

[60Recce]

  JJ will always be remembered by myself as a great man and DRAGOON! Iam a DRAGOON and Iam proud to have served with him. 


THIS IS FOR YOU JJ YOUR LAST RIDE
                                                                      :tank:

YOU WILL BE MISSED DRAGOON

 

[Lance Wiebe]

This one hurts, dammit.

JJ was a member of the Dragoon fraternity, we also served together in the same troop.

RIP, JJ.

 

[Franko]

Well...memorial was held at 0800 local ontop of a bunker overlooking the King's Palace here in Kabul.

Very solomn and sobering.

He was remembered for his love of hockey and of course AFV and modelmaking...along with his deep love affair with "chocky bars"

RSM Levesque did roll call... JJ did not answer.

An American soldier in PT strip stoped...slow saluted...then carried on.

The boys lost it at that point.....

After the ceremony LCol Thomas called us into a huddle....he and the RSM were both visibly shaken, tears welling. They both expressed the avenues of help to the younger troops if they need it.

JJ used to stop into the Int shop all the time and we'd shoot the shit, from everything from models to the restoration of the Ferret and Bren Gun Carrier.

A sad day to be a Dragoon indeed.

I'll miss him and his relaxing smile.

Regards

 

[George Wallace]

An update from the Regt:



1. The memorial for Sgt Johannessen will occur on Monday 12 September
2005 at St George's Chapel, CFB Petawawa at 1530hrs.  This memorial service
is a parade for all RCD personnel.  All personnel are to be seated in St
George's Chapel no later than 1515hrs, dress is DEU 1A.

2. There will be a viewing on Monday from 1300-1500hrs and 1900-2100hrs
at the Malcolm, Deavitt & Binhammer funeral home, 141 Renfrew St, Pembroke,
ON, tel 613-732-3637.  The viewing is optional, and personnel are reminded
to wear appropriate civilian attire.

3. Sgt Johannessen's funeral will take place on Tuesday 13 September
2005 at St John's Lutheran Church, 357 Miller St, Pembroke, ON at 1100hrs.
All SNCO and above are required to attend, and all other members of the Regt
are encouraged to attend.  Personnel attending are to be at the church no
later than 1045hrs, dress is DEU 1A.

4. These services and memorials are a fitting way to say farewell
to a fellow soldier who passed away while on active service.

 

[Recce41]

Well fellas
I maybe one of the few closest to JJ. We served together for many yrs. and were always mixed up for each other. HAHA. Even my wife was very shocked and somewhat taken it bad. Well RIP buddy.
Fair winds and a soft DZ. 
Dave

 

[Sabre1918]

WOW...
I just signed on to Army.ca today and have allready found out that two of my old friends are now dead.
Not sure if I regret doing this!
But I will probably call it an early day and have a few beers for some old friends.

I knew JJ from Germany. (1988-93)
Sad news indeed.

RIP old buddy ! 

L.

 

[Benoit]

i send My deepest condolences to his family

 

[Fry]

Suicide is never a nice topic to deal with, especially when it's someone close.

My condolences to his family, as well as all of you who were so close to him.

 

[George Wallace]

I just got an email from the RSM announcing the death of an old RCD/Hussar.

An email to him from Jim McNeil announces the death of

.....Sgt Bob (Robert)St Dennis, RCD Died on Thursday of serious head injuries received in a car crash on Dec 23 2005. This was a bit of a blow. Bob was coming home from work on the evening of the 23rd when his car was hit by a 25 year old man speeding away from a Police chase. He was in a coma for the entire time and his daughter stated that even if he had survived he'd have been a vegetable. He was 47. He is survived by his wife (not sure if original as she had cancer and both Alec and Believe she dies of it in or around 1997) Daughter and I believe a son. Another sad day for the Regimental family.

RSM Levesque adds:

The Regt has seen some real disasters this year and it never seems to stop. Sgt St Denis lived a few doors down from me on Ortona St in Petawawa, He also served with the Regt in Germany. Originally he was an Hussar, as most of us he served multiple units. Please pass this along. I'm sure many members remember him well. If I can find out more I will. However due to the holidays all may be already done. thanks Jim. This one took me by surprise as he was very young. I do think that it was his second marriage. The daughter was from the first.

 

[Franko]

George,

When did this happen? I'm asking because the name sounds REALLY familiar.

Regards

 

[Recce41]

Another good friend gone. Rob and I were in the same Sqn for a time also. I haven seen him for yrs., but knew he was around Petawawa. I hope they charge the yng fello bug time. Damn asshole.
Rip, Dragoon.

 

[Slim]

I only new him by name, still...

Dismissed...Time to carry on to your next posting Sgt. RIP.

Slim

 

[R Stacey]

I was shocked to hear Rob St Dennis passed away prior to Christmas as a result of a car accident.  My condolences go out to his family.


RIP Rob

 

[JackD]

By the way, just for those who remember him, Donny Nicholson - RCD, LDSH, 8th Hussars etc... from the late 40's till 1973 if I remember, passed on two years back due to cancer.

 

[Franko]

Another sad day in the family I'm afraid.

I was told by RSM Levesque today that .... WO Randy Cox passed away last night due to a ATV accident near his home in Oromocto NB.

He was scheduled to be posted back to the Regiment this summer from the Armour School.

I will post any new info I get in the upcoming days.



Randy was my crew commander in Recce Sqn....I'll miss his weird sense of humour.

Thoughts and prayers to his wife and kids.

Regards

 

[vonGarvin]

Sad news indeed!

RIP!

 

[George Wallace]

Another very fine friend and soldier.  We'll miss you Randy.

43F