Author: Chris Dearlove
Christopher Williams, FHG 853, passed away on April 1, 2025 at the age of 73. Chris joined the Guard in 1972, and spent two summers as Goat Major. He was also a member of the Guard Club’s Board in the 1990s.
We offer our condolences to Chris’s children and grandchildren, as well as his friends and colleagues.
Full obituary: James Reid Funeral Home
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Michael McAllister, FHG 978. Mike passed away on March 25, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Mike joined the Guard in 1976, was a member of the Squad for several summers, and also worked in QM. After graduating from Queen’s University, Mike taught for 33 years – he was an elementary school teacher for 25 years, and finished his career at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School. He was also a dedicated coach for more than 100 community and school teams, and led many to championship seasons.
We offer our sincere condolences to Mike’s wife Susan, his family and friends.
Link to Mike’s full obituary: Kingston Whig-Standard
Donald G. Timmins, FHG 177, passed away on January 15, 2025 at the age of 91. Don joined the Guard in the summer of 1950, and his sister Mary was a domestic interpreter.
Don was a dedicated musician, and he was the organist and choir director at churches in Hamilton, Perth and Etobicoke. He also enjoyed a remarkably long career, first as a school official with several boards, and later worked with benefits consulting firms.
We offer our condolences to Don’s wife Jo-Anne, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and to his friends and colleagues.
Full obituary: The Toronto Star
We are saddened to learn of the passing of David Fudge, FHG 741, on January 14, 2025 at the age of 77. David joined the Guard in 1969, and was a member of the Guard Club’s Board from 2000 to 2005.
We offer our condolences to David’s wife Nancy, his children and grandchildren.
Full obituary: The Kingstonist
Phoebe Schneider (FHI 22-08) started working at Fort Henry in the summer of 2022. She remembers being part of the “post-COVID cohort of terrified Rookies who, with the help of a handful of excellent returning Seniors and Lance Corporals, rebuilt the Guard and – against all odds – brought tours, training, demonstrations, and even Sunset Ceremonies back to the Fort.”
It was a summer that has since gone down in the history books, telling the underdog story of an entire Guard beating the odds to present Sunset Ceremonies and historical interpretation to make even the fiercest former Guard very proud indeed.
It also marked the Fort Henry Guard Foundation’s first presentation of the Commitment to Excellence Award, recognizing the critical role returning staff play in keeping the very best of FHG traditions alive.
Each August since then, the donor-funded Commitment to Excellence Award has been presented to returning staff, and it’s been key to retaining leaders like Phoebe from summer to summer.
As Guiding Serjeant for the past two seasons, Phoebe says that the award is definitely an incentive to return. Last season she used it to pay for an entire month’s rent. And beyond helping with the tangible costs of living, she says, “the award also serves as a reminder that working at Fort Henry has changed my life. The Fort is a special place to spend a summer, but returning for subsequent seasons is what makes it an incomparable experience.”
Phoebe says, “The award is a live symbol and loud message that former Guard care about us. People who have marched the same sequences, fired the same rifles, and worn the same uniforms understand how much work we put in throughout the season, and they want to thank us for it.”
Phoebe touches on that important sense of belonging to describe the special meaning behind the award. “A ‘Huzzah, Guard!’ during a Sunset Ceremony means so much more than general applause, and the Commitment to Excellence Award further develops this lifelong community and the sense that former Guard are looking out for us.”
Over the past three years, the FHG Foundation has awarded more than $60,000 to returning Guard, thanks to the generous support of so many former members like you. On this Giving Tuesday, I hope you’ll join me and many of the friends you once marched beside in making a donation to keep the award going in 2025.
We can’t wait to see some familiar faces back on the square next summer!
With thanks,
Michael Murphy, FHG 2231
President, Fort Henry Guard Foundation, Inc.
David “Dave” Perreault, FHG 1930, passed away suddenly on September 18 at the age of 41. Dave joined the Guard in 2003, and was a licensed carpenter with the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board for several years. Dave had joined the Tech Ed Program at Queen’s with the goal of becoming a trades teacher, and was well known for his humour, kindness, and friendship.
We extend our sincere condolences to Dave’s wife Jillian, and their children Jack and Josephine, on their loss.
Obituary: Wartman Funeral Home
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Joseph Adrien Auger Langlois, FHG 403 on June 17 at the age of 86. “Tic” joined the Guard in 1959, and had a long and distinguished teaching career. He is remembered in particular for his dedication to sports, and he coached student athletes in several sports, including football, track and field, volleyball, gymnastics and curling. In 2019, he was inducted into the Kingston and District Sports Hall of Fame. He also served on the Board of the Fort Henry Guard Club of Canada from 2008 to 2013.
We extend our sincere condolences to Adrien’s family and friends.
Obituary: The Kingston Whig Standard
The annual Fort Henry Guard Awards Night will take place on Tuesday, August 27 at 7:00 pm at Fort Henry’s Great Hall. One of the Guard Club’s signature events, the members of the year’s Fort Henry Guard and staff from Fort Henry will gather to celebrate the accomplishments of their friends and colleagues.
A PDF copy of the program for this year’s event can be found here: FHG Awards Night Program 2024
We wish all of this year’s nominees the best of luck, and congratulate them on a fantastic summer. And special thanks to all of the donors who contributed to the awards this year – your generosity is much appreciated by all.
