Robert served in the RCN as a senior naval “pusser” followed by executive positions in a non-government organization and two federal public service departments. He is a finance and audit professional, a member of professional organizations and is experienced as a director in not-for-profit and registered charity corporations at both the federal and provincial levels. Robert brings a deep commitment to Canadian military history, hails from Quebec City and now lives in Kingston where he indulges his passion for British motorcycles and motorcars and his lifetime struggle with the highland bagpipe.
About
We are the Friends of the Canadian War Museum – ensuring Canadian’s past sacrifices are never forgotten
Overview
The Friends exists to promote, support and assist the Canadian War Museum’s work in preserving the past to enlighten present and future generations about Canada’s military heritage.
Greetings and welcome to the Friends of the Canadian War Museum Website. I hope you all continue to remain safe and well under what are more trying circumstances than those which existed even a short month ago. As you can well imagine, charitable organizations such as our own face growing pressures to ensure their relevance and sustainability. Finally, stay with us! As mentioned, the external pressures are great and will likely remain with us for some time to come. We have a worthwhile cause and in spite of the pressures we continue to support the Museum.
I want to thank you personally for your continuing support.
Robert Hamilton, President FCWM•AMCG
What We Do
- We raise funds
- We recruit and provide volunteers
- We promote the Canadian War Museum through our cross-Canada membership and various projects and events
Our Board of Directors
The Friends is a Federally incorporated registered charity. Meet the Directors who give their time to make change happen.
Robert Winston Hamilton
President
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Robert Winston Hamilton
President
Linda Colwell
Past President
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Linda Colwell
Past President
Linda served for 36 years with the Canadian Armed Forces as an Air Force Logistics Officer. Since retiring she has filled her days volunteering with charities and not-for-profits. Whether advising/coaching, doing practical hands-on work or serving on Boards of Directors, she uses her knowledge of governance, strategic and business planning and policy development as well as her good old-fashioned work ethic to advantage. She is a student of military history, particularly the First World War era and enjoys brass band music. She is Past President of the Friends and currently serves as Chair of the Governance Committee.
Brenda Esson
Secretary
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Brenda Esson
Secretary
Brenda has a BA and a Master of Library Science degree from McGill University. She has worked for CN Headquarters Library, the Canadian Standards Association and the City of Gloucester as Director, IT. She was responsible for the design of the IT organization for the new City of Ottawa after amalgamation. From 2003-2014 she worked as an independent IT management consultant. She brings her knowledge and experience with governance, project management, and strategic planning to the BOD.
John Chow
Treasurer
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John Chow
Treasurer
John was born and raised in Hong Kong. His family moved to Toronto in 1968 when the city was basking in the glory of winning the Stanley Cup the year before, and he immediately became an avid Leaf fan.
After high school, while attending Queen’s University, he enrolled in the Naval Reserve. After graduation, John switched into the Regular Force and spent 35 years serving at various locations from coast to coast, and in Afghanistan. He also completed an MBA, and an MA in War Studies. John then joined the Public Service where he remained for almost five years.
John was the Treasurer of the Naval Association of Canada for three years, and has been the Treasurer of the Friends since 2015.
Louise Siew
Director
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Louise Siew
Director
Captain, RCN, Ret’d Louise Siew served in the Canadian Forces for 35 years as a Sea Logistics Officer and is a graduate of the University of Victoria and the Canadian Forces Staff College. Highlights of her military career included being the first female Naval Officer to Command a CF Formation, the Canadian Materiel Support Group, and being a Director General on the Strategic Joint Staff at NDHQ. Louise has a life-long interest in military history chosen to join the BOD of the FCWM in order to help foster the interest of others in the importance of the Canadian War Museum as the prime custodian of Canada’s Military history.
Robert Argent
Director
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Robert Argent
Director
Robert Argent has been very active in many volunteer organizations over the years, ranging from community groups to helping to organize, for many years’ minor sports for his and other children. He is a graduate of York University with a combined BA Political Science/History where he served on many student committees as well as a student representative on the York Senate.
After 3 years in the CAF he spent 35 years in Sales Management before retiring and joining the FCWM as a volunteer. Presently Robert is the Committee Chair for Marketing and Communication.
Thomas Burnie
Director
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Thomas Burnie
Director
Thomas Burnie’s volunteerism spans 20 plus years following a Canadian Armed Forces career. As a self-employed Certified Management Consultant and Project Management Professional, he applies his knowledge and skill in leadership roles with various charities and non-profits. Past experience includes: President of the Kiwanis Club and the Canadian Club of Medicine Hat, Director with the Kiwanis Club of Ottawa, and Chair of the Kiwanis Club of Ottawa Medical Foundation. Currently he is a Director with three charities: The Friends of the Canadian War Museum where he leads the Ways and Means Committee, the Guild of the Royal Canadian Dragoons as the Governance Chair, and the Knox Presbyterian Church of Ottawa Management Board.
Ian Moffat
Director
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Ian Moffat
Director
Dr. Moffat is a retired Canadian Naval Officer with a PhD in War Studies and Civil-Military relations. He has published one book on Canada and the intervention in Russia, as well as several academic historical articles. He is an Afghanistan war veteran who was NATO’s Chief of Counter Improvised Explosive Device Training in Afghanistan. He has served at sea as a Bridge Watchkeeper, Weapons Officer, and was Executive Officer of HMCS Huron, a Canadian destroyer. Ashore, he served at Canada’s National Defence Headquarters in numerous capacities, including Canadian secretary to NATO and Asia-Pacific committees and was a member of the Ottawa’s military bomb disposal unit. As a Board member, Dr. Moffat hopes to bring his experience in analysing complex problems and identifying risks to better implement long term goals of the museum.
Jean Guy Perron
Director
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Jean Guy Perron
Director
Retired Lieutenant-Colonel Jean-Guy Perron served 35 years in the Canadian Forces as an infantry officer(Royal 22nde Regiment, Canadian Airborne Regiment), military lawyer and military judge. He was deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rwanda and Uganda, as well as to The Canadian Joint Task Force, when military operations in Afghanistan began in 2001.
He wants to contribute to the success of the MCG by providing AMCG with the experience and knowledge he has gained during his career.
Scott Widdowson
Director
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Scott Widdowson
Director
Scott is a Senior Patent Specialist at Hilco IP Merchant Banking, with over 25 years’ experience in the Electronics and Telecommunications industry. Scott’s experience includes wireless circuits and systems, and patent related activity. Scott is named on 22 patents, is a Chartered Engineer (UK), and is called to the Ontario Bar.
Scott holds the following degrees: BEng (Hons) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering; MSc in Communications Engineering & Digital Electronics; MBA; JD Common Law.
Scott believes that his experience in industry, law and technology will assist the Board to further the purpose of the Friends of the Canadian War Museum.
Sean McGrath
Director
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Sean McGrath
Director
Sean has an Ivey MBA and most of a management PhD as well as a wide range of practical experience (24 years in CF, retiring as a LCol; 22 years as a Logistics and an Operations Manager in hi tech, retiring from Newbridge Networks as a Director). He taught Project Management, Logistics, and Operations Management at UQO and in the MBA programs at both U Ottawa and Carleton, and has worked as the Association Outreach Manager with the Conference of Defence Associations. Sean hopes to use his knowledge and experience to help the work of the FCWM BOD.
Steven Clark
Director
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Steven Clark
Director
With a commitment to service, education and social engagement, Steven’s extensive history in the not-for-profit sector spans three decades. A graduate of St. Thomas University, Fredericton (BA, BEd), he has worked in professional theatre, and championed youth leadership and citizenship through service in the Cadet Instructor Cadre and Air Cadet League of Canada. Currently the National Executive Director of The Royal Canadian Legion, he spearheaded the Virtual Poppy Drop on Parliament Hill and served for 10 years as the Director of Canada’s National Remembrance Day ceremony. Working to influence and carry out the priorities of the Board for the benefit of the Friends and the Canadian War Museum remains his focus.
Elizabeth Reynolds
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Elizabeth Reynolds
In her professional life Elizabeth is a registered psychotherapist living and working in Canada’s capital. She has always enjoyed her work with veterans and their families. As the grandchild and child of Canadian veterans of the First and Second World Wars, an interest in our military history was instilled in her in her home growing up. As an adult, that interest has only grown and expanded through opportunities to visit the battlefields, both in Canada and overseas. She is honoured to serve with the Friends of the Canadian War Museum to promote Canada’s unique military history.
Larry Diebel
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Larry Diebel
Larry Diebel entered the Canadian Army through the Regular Officer Training Plan, attended the University of Alberta graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Later he attended the Canadian Army Staff College. His more important appointments were as the Secretary of the Canada US Military Co-operation Committee, and as the Force Operation Officer of the UN force in Cyprus. During his service he was awarded the OMM. Larry Diebel has worked as a volunteer interpreter at the War Museum for thirteen years. As a member of the BOD he hopes bring an understanding of situation of the interpreters to the Board’s attention.
Deanna Fimrite
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Deanna Fimrite
Deanna was raised in Kelowna, BC and after living in Victoria and attending post-secondary education she transferred to Carlton University in the fall of 1999 and studied international business prior to deciding to move permanently to Ottawa.
In May of 2000 she accepted employment with The Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada (ANAVETS) and was promoted to the position of Dominion Secretary-Treasurer (Executive Director) in January 2013.
In recognition to her service to Canadian Veterans she has been honoured with both the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and Diamond Jubilee Medals. She is married to her wonderful husband Jason and enjoys travel, golf, volleyball and softball.
She joined the Board of the FCWM in 2019.
Ray Stouffer
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Ray Stouffer
Dr Stouffer spent thirty-eight years in the Canadian Armed Forces filling a number of command and staff positions as an Air Force Transportation Officer. But his real passion was realized teaching military and Canadian history at the Royal Military College of Canada after receiving his PhD in War Studies from RMC in 2005. From January 2011 until his retirement from the CAF in June 2013, Dr Stouffer was the Registrar of RMC. In June 2019 Dr Stouffer was nominated to the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Canadian War Museum. Dr Stouffer’s military and academic background will assist the Board in its aim of supporting and promoting the Canadian War Museum to current and future generations of Canadians. Dr Stouffer supports a communications strategy that appeals to an increasingly diverse audience.
Wayne Primeau
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Wayne Primeau
Born in the United Kingdom during WWII. Both parents’ military – Mother (UK – QAIMNS), Father (CDN – RCASC). Raised on (or very close to) military bases in UK, Canada and USA. Graduated (Political Science) University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Joined Government of Canada (now Global Affairs), postings in Southern Africa (Lusaka, Zambia), Eastern Europe (Moscow, Russia), Middle East (Ramallah/Jerusalem). Position before retiring Senior Advisor, Programmes and Procedures, International Security Branch. Also, served as an Infantry Reservist, retired as Lieutenant Colonel.
Contact
If you have any questions about donating, volunteering or joining the Friends, or simply would like to learn more about our organization, please reach out to us.