Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers- Colonel Commandant
Colonel (retired) Thomas John Temple passed away suddenly from natural causes at age 63 on Saturday, February 11th, 2023 in São Paulo, Brazil, while travelling on vacation with his cherished spouse of over 30 years, Marie-Claude Lussier. Loving father to Catherine Temple (Clarisse Désiré)
Sainte-Justine-de-Newton, PQ and Camille Temple, Embrun, Tom leaves to mourn a large family and many friends. Brother to his siblings in British Columbia: Walter (Sandra), Barbara (Richard) Morgan, Catherine, David (Cindy), Monica (Norman) Judd, Rosemary (Greg), and Patricia (Doug) Greenwood. Also, cherished and missed by his mother-in-law Camille Brisebois, Ottawa, and Marie-Claude’s siblings Brigitte Lussier, Gatineau, Laurent, San José, California and Frederick (Nadine) of Montcerf-Lytton, PQ as well as 14 nieces and nephews and 8 great nieces and nephews.
Born August 12, 1959 in Powell River, BC, the 3rd of 8 siblings, Tom was predeceased by his parents, Cornelia Maria (Degroot) and Walter Werner Temple and adored nephew Émile Lussier. After secondary school, Tom rushed off to Royal Military College Saint-Jean, then Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, where he graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering Degree. Military life took Tom to Victoria, Lahr, Germany and Borden, ON where he met his future bride Marie-Claude. Marriage was prompted by his posting to Bordon, England while promotions and career opportunities saw Tom and his family grow their circle of friends with transfers to Winnipeg, Edmonton, Ottawa, Gagetown, Montreal, then home again to Orleans where he would culminate his career as the Chief of Staff/Director of Land Engineering Support, at National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa.
Following retirement in 2011 after 32 years in uniform, Tom remained very active supporting various projects, particularly the RCEME Museum in Kingston and the RCEME Foundation and was honoured in July 2021 by his appointment as the Colonel Commandant of his beloved RCEME Corps. Delighted to be back in uniform through this notable volunteer role, Tom enjoyed spending time with family and his many friends through bowling, curling and most of all, chirping with his golf mates at PineView.
A Celebration of Tom’s Life will be held at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Ave., Ottawa, ON, on Thursday, February 23rd, 2023 commencing at 1p.m. in the Sacred Space, followed by a Reception. The family will be available to receive condolences at the Memorial Centre beginning at 12-noon. Burial of Ashes will take place at a later date. The service will be live-streamed, registration can be completed at the following link : Livestreaming Services.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the RCEME Foundation, the Ottawa Humane Society or a charity of your choice.
Digital Guestbook
MWO Don Neville (RCEME Reserve NCM Advisor)
L/Col (Retired ) Al Price O.M.M.CD
I knew Tom well although we never served together our paths crossed on occasion. He was an excellent officer and leader who will be missed. may you forever Rest In Peace OLd Soldier
Paul Fuller, Col (Ret'd)
Mes sincères condoléances à Marie-Claude et toute la famille, bon courage dans cette terrible épreuve de la vie.
Peter Graff
Sorry to hear of your loss.
Yves Raymond
To the family of Tom, please accept my deepest condolences.
Kelby Hamilton, (RCEME Col ret'd)
With great sadness and shock to hear this news. My condolences to Marie-Claude, family and friends. The Corps has lost a leader, a true professional and proud champion. I have many fond memories of working with Tom, his smile and his sense of humour.
GAYE SOMERTON DE JIMENEZ
I am deeply saddened to learn that this wonderful and dedicated RCEME officer has passed on. My condolences to his family and friends. RIP Sir.
Michel Gladu (LCol GEMRC, retiré)
Mes plus sincères condoléances à Marie-Claude et toute la famille. Bon courage dans cette terrible épreuve de la vie. J’ai de très bons souvenirs de Tom dès le début à la compagnie Régimentaire. Son professionnalisme, ses accomplissements et sa bonne humeur nous manqueront.
Capt (ret.) Guy Brideau
J’aimerais offrir mes plus sincères condoléances aux membres de la famille de Tom, plus particulièrement à son épouse Marie-Claude, ainsi qu’à ses filles, Catherine et Camille.
Ayant fait partie de son équipe de commandement au 202ième DA et à DEMPET, je peux témoigner que Tom était un homme passionné, un rassembleur et un leader. Son humour et sa joie de vivre vont nous manquer.
Jacques et Maryse Beaudoin
Nos plus sincères condoléances à toute la famille. Tom, tu vas nous manquer. Bon courage Marie-Claude, nos pensées t'accompagnent.
On behalf of all RCEME Reserve members and myself, our sincerest condolences and heartfelt thoughts go out to Col Temple's family and friends upon his passing. While I had only known him a short while, it was clearly evident that he held the members of the Corps of RCEME and, more specifically, those of the RCEME Reserves, in the highest of regards as witnessed during several of his recent visits to RCEME Reserve organizations during last year's Battlefield Tour. He will be dearly missed by all. Rest in peace. ARTE ET MARTE