Chief Warrant Officer (Retired) Glenn Simpkin passed away peacefully at the age of 59 on Wednesday 04 June 2025, having lost his battle with mesothelioma. He was the beloved husband and best friend of Angela (Swan) Simpkin, loving father of Gillian & Joseline, and devoted brother to Karen Matheson & Sharen McDowall.
Glenn proudly and passionately served 38 years in the Canadian Forces. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) as an Artilleryman in 1982; he remustered to Topographic Surveyor in 1994. As a Geomatics Technician, Glenn moved through the ranks becoming Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) of The Mapping and Charting Establishment in 2016. Glenn’s final appointment was the Canadian Military Engineering Branch Chief Warrant Officer. After he retired in 2021, he became a Services Coordinator for the CAF Transition Centre in Ottawa, where he supported medically releasing military members.
His dedicated career included deployments to Bosnia and Herzegovina (x3), Afghanistan, and Haiti. Domestically, Glenn deployed to the Winnipeg floods and was the first to use radar to depict floodwater movements, completing several Arctic gravity survey missions, and more. A particular highlight for him was his posting to Naples Italy with his family, where he worked on multiple missions and deployed to Iraq for a NATO training mission. As the Branch CWO he had an audience with Queen Elizabeth II, where he discussed the state of the Engineers. He was a proud Engineer who worked tirelessly to better the organization and support his soldiers.
Glenn will be sorely missed by his family, the military community and others who have had the opportunity to cross paths with him.
A celebration of Glenn’s life will be held from 1300 to 1500hrs on Saturday 26 July 2025, in the WO & Sgts Mess at 4 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Ottawa ON
Digital Guestbook
Jurgen Mack
Glenn Gray
Deepest sympathies to family.
John and Lynn Ramsay
Glenn was an exceptional human being and he will be missed.
Our sincere condolences to his family
Sylvain “Sly” Madore
He was always ready to help you better understand if you needed, guide you to an answer without giving it to you. Always had a happy demeanour. He will be missed.
Derek (Sam) Parsons
Glenn and I worked together as surveyors in both the Artillery and MCE. Glenn was one of the smartest guys I had the privilege of working with. Glenn was always in the best character you could want to be around. Given his many accomplishments shows the strength even possessed and was always willing to pass it on and make the people around him better for it. I will surely miss him and sincerely pass on my condolences to Angela and his girls. Rest easy my friend!
Thierry Duhamel
Glenn, was a true professional. He could be relied upon for the voice of reason. He will be sorely missed. Always the good ones that are taken early.
Tracy Sprague
Glenn was truly a gentle giant. He always had an ear to lend. His dedication to the Forces was unmatched and commendable. He will be missed by myself and everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. RIP my friend.
Sam Avella
Glenn, we will miss you dearly.
Your friendly smile and kind demeanor always put everyone at ease.
I’m truly sorry I won’t be at your celebration of life to say a final goodbye, as I’ll be out of town visiting family.
Rest in peace, my friend. You will never be forgotten.
K Sammy Sampson
My deepest sympathy to his family. I’m sorry he was taken so soon.
Eddy Chalmers
I first met Glenn when we were teens in Brandon. I joined 26 Field in 1983 and served with him for a number of years. A great guy that will be missed. Stand Easy Glenn.
My best memory of Glenn was that he always had a smile on his face. I don’t not recall ever seeing him angry. RIP soldier.