BIOGRAPHIES
Here you can find some of the Biographies of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members who have been recognized in the Park by the planting of a tree. We thank the families for sharing these stories and allowing us all to remember these remarkable souls.
- KIA Afghanistan - Cpl. Paul James Davis (Dec. 19, 1977 - March 02, 2006) Born in Bridgewater, NS, Paul was a proud member of 2 PPCLI. He left behind a wife, Melanie and two young daughters, Julia and Malia. Father, Jim Davis and step mother, Sharon live in Bridgewater. Mother, Constance Avery.
- KIA Afghanistan - Christopher Jonathan Reid (21 September 1971 - 3 September 2006) Christopher was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia and his hometown was Truro, Nova Scotia. Christopher was the son of Thomas (Tom) and Angela Reid and big brother to sister Rachel, as well as a friend to many. Prior to entering the regular Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Christopher was a member of the Nova Scotia Highlanders, training at the Armouries on Willow Street, Truro until the bug to join the Reg. Force hit him and he joined the Princes Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (1PPCLI)-C Company. There he was trained as a LAVIII Driver, a trade he relished. From December 1989 to 3 August 2006, Christopher served his country well in many areas. Sadly, while deployed to Afghanistan with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) tragedy struck, and on 3 September, 2006, Christopher was KIA in the Pasmul District of Afghanistan. During his career Christopher was awarded the Canadian Decoration (CD), Mention in Dispatches(MiD), Commander-in-Chief-Unit Commendation 1PPCLI, and the United States Combat Badge (USCIB). During his esteemed career, Christopher was deployed to the Former Yugoslavia (2Tours) Kosovo, and Afghanistan. He also enjoyed a chilly posting to CFS Alert. Christopher leaves his parents, Tom and Angela Reid of Truro, Nova Scotia. He was predeceased by his younger sister, Rachel. From a young age, Christopher was a ‘force’ to be reckoned with (pun intended)! He loved the outdoors, nature, mountain biking, hiking, and repelling from places ‘where no man had dared to go before.’ Christopher had many friends and one of his best friends and mountain biking buddies was WO Michael McNeil; who sadly succumbed to the brokenness caused by many deployments. Though Christopher is gone from our presence, he remains always in our hearts and we now can recall his memory with smiles and gratitude, and pride for his gift of service to Canada. Lest We Forget
- KIA Afghanistan​ - Warrant Officer Frank Robert Mellish (10 February 1968 - 3 September 2006) Frank was born in Truro, Nova Scotia. Frank served with the 1 RCR then in London, Ontario, and moved with them to Petawawa where he also served with the Canadian Airborne Unit in Petawawa. There he earned his Canadian and British Airborne jump wings. On the 50th anniversary of D-Day, Frank jumped into Normandy France with the Airborne unit out of Petawawa. There, he was so proud to make acquaintances with some WWII vets. He often spoke so fondly of those brave heroes. It seemed from a very young age Frank was destined to be in uniform. He started with Cubs in Truro, then Boy Scouts after his dad was posted to Summerside, PEI with the RCMP. It was while living in Summerside, Frank changed his uniform for Air Force Blue when he joined 53 Sqn. Air Cadets out of CFB Summerside, PEI. Frank was commissioned with the Air Cadets but relinquished his commission upon his joining the CAF Reg Force. During his 18 years of service Frank was deployed seven times to include Cyprus, Somalia, Croatia, Bosnia, Kosovo, and twice to Afghanistan. On September 03, 2006, during his second deployment to Afghanistan, Frank, and 3 of his comrades in arms were ambushed and killed by the Taliban in the Panjwai district of Kandahar Province during ‘Operation Medusa’. Along with his parents Barry and Sandra (Sandy) Mellish, Frank left behind his wife, Kendra, two sons, Matthew, (13 at the time), Koven, (11 at the time), a sister, Tanya Mellish (Schiefer), and numerous brothers in arms who to this day remember, and often speak of him with the utmost of respect. Though gone from our physical presence, Frank remains a huge part of our conversations, our pride, and our hearts. He loved, and was loved. Never to be forgotten.
- KIA Afghanistan -​ Sergeant Jimmy MacNeil (17 July 1981 - 21 June 2010)  Sgt. James Patrick MacNeil was known to his loving family, friends and community as "Little Jimmy". Born in Glace Bay, to parents Velma MacNeil (Stubbard) and Jimmy MacNeil Sr. Jimmy was very proud of his Cape Breton roots, graduated high school and immediately enlisted to serve his country.  Jimmy was a member of 2nd combat Engineer Regiment and was based in CFB Petawawa. He advanced quickly through his ranks, and after his 3rd tour, he received the Master Corporal of the Year Award; while serving with 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment. He was on his fourth tour of duty in Afghanistan when he was killed in action by an IED, and left behind grieving parents, and step parents Harold(Al) Burke and Helen MacNeil, then-girlfriend Laura and her daughter Ava, as well as many families and friends across Canada.  Jimmy loved with all of his heart. He loved children, baseball, rugby and hockey, especially his team, Montreal Canadians. Sgt. Jimmy was returned home to rest in his small town and was received by an outpouring of unity and sombreness, by a Cape Breton style Highway of Heroes, with thousands in attendance as they silently lined the roads from the airport to his final resting place. Since his passing his family and community work hard to keep his memory alive. He has an annual junior high basketball tournament, and an annual mixed league baseball tournament named after him, which allows many graduate students in his community to receive a scholarship bearing his title. Glace Bay junior high school, OVEC named their soccer field with his title. The officer's mess hall aboard Navy Ship H.M.C.S has been dedicated to him, as well as many sites across the province, and in Ottawa at the cenotaph, that display plaques and tributes in his honor. Honoring Jimmy is something that brings his family and community peace and allows them to share the pride that he radiated in his service to our country.
- KIA Afghanistan - ​​​Sergeant Darcy Scott Tedford (12 August 1974 - 14 August 2006) Sgt. Darcy Tedford was born in Calgary, Alberta. In 1976, he and his parents and younger brother made their way to beautiful Nova Scotia. While living in Earltown, Darcy attended Tatamagouche Elementary graduating from Tatamagouche High School in 1992, at which point Darcy answered the call to join the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Navy. Following the completion of his training at CF Recruit Center at Cornwallis, N.S., Darcy moved to CFNES Detachment, St. John’s NFLD. From St. John’s, Darcy moved on to join the RCR Infantry Battle School in Petawawa, Ontario where on the 28th of August 1992, he was promoted to Cpl. Darcy was able, willing, and ready for the tasks before him and in January 1998, he was deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina with CCCIBH INF.BAT, returning in July of that year. In December of 1999 to May of 2000 Darcy bravely faced his second deployment with Task Force Kosovo INF.BAT, Pristina, Serbia, Montenegro. Following that tour, in May of 2001, Darcy was promoted to MCpl. From there, in August of 2003, Darcy’s esteemed career took him to task Force Kabul INF.BAT Group, Camp Julien, Afghanistan, returning to Canada, February 2004. Darcy was duly promoted to the rank of Sgt. November 2005 at 1RCR Garrison Petawawa. Darcy’s final deployment was with 1RCR Petawawa to Afghanistan, commencing 01 August 2006, and where on that fateful day of 14 August, 2006, Darcy courageously made the ultimate sacrifice for Canada, the country he love and vowed to protect. Darcy left behind his wife Charmaine, two beautifully delightful daughters, Kaeleigh, and Julia. His loss was immensely felt by his Mom, Paulette, and his Dad, Robin, his only brother Jody, and Jody’s wife Isabelle. In spite of our loss and continual grief, we moved forward with the surety that Darcy’s love of Canada, and the strength demonstrated through his sacrifice, made a difference in this world. His memory, laughs and the good times shared continue to sustain us. He is missed beyond words by family and colleagues alike. Our world though forever changed, is a better place because Darcy Tedford, and good men and women like him, chose selflessness as a way to live and serve.
- Training Accident Ontario -​​ Private Andrew Fitzgerald (6 February 1997 - 13 August 2016) Andrew spent the first 19 years of his life in Cape North, on the beautiful island of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Andrew enlisted with the Military (Army) in January 2016. He left Cape North to his training in Meadford, Ontario, where he unfortunately, died by drowning mishap following his graduation on 13 August 2016. Andrew was so proud to wear the Canadian uniform and he was so handsome in it. Andrew will be forever loved and missed. He leaves behind his mother, Andrea, his father George, of Cape North and two sisters, Emily and Katie, who are lost without him. Andrew was proud of, and loved his Cape Breton roots. Andrew continues to serve his country from afar and looks down with pride of on the land of the Maple Leaf. Our love for him and his love for us will never die. We carry him always in our hearts with the assurance that we will once again be united.