Obituaries • NÉCROLOGIE
23550 Matthew Walsh
C
aptain Matthew “Matt” Walsh started his military career at the age of 12, when he joined the local 374 Air Cadets Squadron. Natural athleticism and charisma enabled Matt to excel at cadet team activities including basketball, shooting, drill and band. The cadet hall became his home away from home and was his inspiration and reason for applying to the Royal Military College. Matt was accepted to RMC and shipped off to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, in the summer of 2002, where he underwent his basic officer training. Over the course of that summer, Matt began lifelong friendships with his 2 Platoon comrades and soon found himself marching through the arch at RMC. While at RMC, his good-natured demeanour earned him many friends. Pursuing his degree in military and strategic studies, Matt embraced the military lifestyle with passion and zest. He loved the culture and esprit de corps of the Canadian Forces, and thrived under the dedicated professors and military leadership he encountered on campus. In first year, he demonstrated rare abilities and commenced leading the RMC Pipe Band as the Drum Major. He could spin a mace like few others and did so representing the College at West Point, Annapolis, and on the Rick Mercer Report on national television. He was also an animal lover and an active member of the equestrian club, and played a key role in the planning of an RMC Humane Society fundraiser. Matt always attacked his numerous hobbies full force, and could often be found hiking or strumming his guitar with friends in the shacks. His years in Kingston were some of the happiest of his life.
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fall/automne 2011 VERITAS
Matt’s career progression was temporarily delayed in the fall of 2005, when he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Over the next few years, he was able to beat the disease into remission and finish his academic degree. With a clean bill of health, Matt headed back to the Artillery School where he completed his artillery officer training. With his career well underway, he was posted to Gagetown, NB, in summer of 2008. However, before the move was complete, Matt’s cancer returned. His posting was redirected to Halifax, where he could be closer to his family while starting another round of treatment. Matt required a bone marrow transplant and, with a stroke of luck, his brother was a match. With the second round of treatment complete and in remission, Matt miraculously returned back to work at the Land Force Atlantic Area Headquarters, intent on eventually returning to his artillery role in the field. He always believed that his cancer did and would continue to make him a better person. In the spring of 2010, Matt was involved in a severe motorcycle accident that left him with a broken foot, arm, and collarbone. While tending to his injuries, doctors found that his ALL had come back for the third time. After the accident, Matt battled through a third round of chemo and a second bone marrow transplant, beating the cancer back into remission, while also recovering from his injuries. Throughout these events, Matt’s compassion toward others always overshadowed his concerns for his own health. He was great at mailing cards during holidays, keeping in touch with friends, taking care of his beautiful dogs, and throwing great uglyChristmas-sweater parties. In March of
2011, Matt’s cancer returned for the last time and on May 5, he passed away, peaceful in the comfort of his own home in Shearwater, NS. Matt will be remembered for always making the most out of an everyday situation and bringing the best out in everyone. His affinity for the College stemmed from his unrelenting belief in the RMC program. His fierce pride in the values of the College and his loyalty to his uniform were unwavering. He even hung the RMC flag in his hospital room in Halifax. Matt was a son, brother, uncle, true friend, and proud Canadian solider to the very end. Donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to the 374 Air Cadets.
13775 Jonathan Andrew George Oliphant
W
ith sadness we announce the sudden passing of Jonathan Oliphant, beloved husband and father, on July 9, 2011. Jonathan is survived by his wife Verena, children Tora, Aidan, and Ian, as well as his brother Geoffrey, sister Helen, Uncle Nigel, and countless other cherished family and friends. Jonathan was born June 14, 1960, in London, England, and immigrated to Canada at age two. He spent most of his childhood years in North Vancouver, and then attended Royal Roads Military College. Upon graduation, Jonathan served four years in the Navy, acquiring a lifelong thirst for adventure and travel. In 1986, he enrolled in law school in Vancouver, and clerked for the BC Supreme Court for a year prior to completing his articling. The majority of Jonathan's legal career was spent work-