Jean Joseph Jules Veronneau

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jean Joseph Jules Véronneau on May 23, 2024 at the age of 88.

As a young man, growing up in Québec, he loved playing hockey and was a talented caricaturist. His cousin Louis Joseph introduced him to the allure of military aviation and Jean left his home in Sorel to commence Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) training at HMCS Venture in Victoria, British Columbia. He trained there from 1954-1956 becoming an RCN officer and Naval aviator. This is also the time when he met and fell in love with Doreen.

Je me souviens que mon père m’a dit qu’il ne parlait pas anglais quand il est arrivé à Victoria. Quels défis il a dû relever et surmonter sur son chemin pour rencontrer et épouser Doreen, l’amour anglais de sa vie et la réalisation du succès dans sa carrière militaire. J’ai toujours été impressionné par le fait qu’il était parfaitement bilingue et qu’il pouvait faire le pont entre la compréhension des deux cultures (Michael-via google translate)

From there he went to train with the United States Navy (USN) in Florida, where he qualified as an aircraft carrier fighter pilot in the single-seat Banshee fighter jet. Doreen and Jean married in Florida in April 1957. His distinguished career continued with accomplishments in defense of Canada and in international peace efforts.

He retired with the rank of Brigadier General to Victoria, BC in 1990 where he and his beloved wife, Doreen, lived some of the most enjoyable years of their lives. He remained active in many organizations, including the HMCS Venture Association, his alma mater, and the Royal United Services Institute of Vancouver Island.

He is predeceased by his father Robert Véronneau, his mother Marie Blondin, his sister Cécile and his brother Jacques.

He is survived by his wife Doreen Véronneau (Wilkins), his sister Josée, his brothers Robert (Louise), Guy (Huguette Leonard), Claude (Huguette Gaudreault), and Yves (Claudette Jacques). His sons Dr. Stephen Jean Harry Véronneau (Lisa) and Michael Robert Louis Véronneau (Doris), former daughter-in-law Bettina, his grandchildren Janine Louise, Karen Danielle, Michael Marc, Roger, Natalie, his great-grandchildren Amelia, Camille, and Oliver as well as many nieces, nephews, and their children.

We would like to thank their neighbors, who were a constant comfort and support to both parents, and to staff of the Victoria General Hospital who made him very comfortable when he suddenly declined in health in hospital with COVID.

One of his favourite poems about flying, which he adapted from a friend’s first draft, was:

Damn! It was fun!

I've soared above this lovely earth

And brooded about life and death.

But I was immortal then, and bold,

And had no fear of growing old.

I flew in weather dark and dim

Over trackless waters grey and grim.

I laughed at danger, showed no fear.

But life and love with Doreen were ever dear.

I once took wing over a snowy mass

And saw and chased a pilot's cross.

A sun circle surrounded my craft

As God looked down and laughed.

Well, did I just imagine that gentle laughter?

And yet, how can I explain in the years thereafter

My unusual luck, which I do trust categorically,

Will last me well into eternity.

Jean

(Short Service Appointment). He was appointed as a Naval Cadet (SSA) RCN (With seniority dated 02/08/1954). He served in HMCS Venture (Officer Training Establishment) for Training 1954. He was appointed as a Midshipman (SSA) RCN (With seniority dated 01/09/1956). He served in HMCS Niagara for Pilot Training With USN at USNAS Pensacola 1956. He was appointed as an A/Sub-Lieutenant (SSA) RCN (With seniority dated 01/03/1957). He served in USNAS Kingsville TX for Flying Training. He was appointed as a Sub-Lieutenant (P) (SSA) RCN (With seniority dated 01/03/1958). He served in HMCS Shearwater for VF-870 Squadron as Pilot and Weapons Officer 1958, (Selected for permanent commission),He was appointed as a Lieutenant RCN (With seniority dated 01/06/1960). He served in HMCS Donnacona as Recruiting Officer Montreal 1962. He served in HMCS Shearwater for VU-32 Squadron for ASW Training 1964. He served in HMCS Shearwater for HU-21 Squadron for Helicopter Conversion Training 1965. He served in HMCS Shearwater for HS-50 Squadron as Sea King Detachment Commander HMCS Annapolis 1965. He served in HMCS Shearwater for HS-50 Squadron as Sea King Detachment Deputy Commander HMCS Bonaventure. He was appointed as a Lieutenant-Commander RCN (With seniority dated 01/01/1967). He served in Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College 1968. He was appointed as a Lieutenant-Colonel (PLT) (With seniority dated 01/07/1969). He served in CFB Montreal for Mobile Command HQ as Staff Officer (Joint Training) 1969. He served in CFB Petawawa for 403 Squadron for Land Helicopter Training 1970. He served in CFB Valcartier as Commanding Officer of 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron 1970. He was appointed as a Colonel (PLT) (With seniority dated 01/01/1974). He served in CFB St-Jean as Base Commander 1974, CFB Montreal for Mobile Command as Deputy Chief of Staff Combat Development and Support 1975. He served in CCUNME as Deputy Commander Canadian Contingent to UN Forces Middle East 1977. He was appointed as a Brigadier General (With seniority dated 01/10/1977). He served in CFB Winnipeg for Air Command HQ as Chief of Staff Operations 1977. He served in CFB St Hubert as Group Commander #10 Tactical Air Group 1979. He served in NDHQ for Special Duty as Canadian Forces Air Attaché Washington DC 1981. He served in NDHQ as Director General Air Doctrine and Operations 1984. He served in NDHQ as Director General Military Review 1988. (He was retired in 1991.)

Total Flying Hours: 3,074. Total Fixed Wing Deck Landings: 97. Total Rotary Wing Deck Landings: 129. Military Aircraft Flown: T-34, T-28, TV-2, F9F-5, T-33, F2H-3, CS2F, C-45, C-47, HTL, HO4S-3, CHSS-2, SH-3, CUH-1H, CH-135, CH-136.) Civilian Aircraft Flown: Fleet 80, Jet Ranger.) (He survived a F2H-3 Banshee crash at Key West Florida 14/01/1959 and a bird strike near Saint John NB airport 08/12/1960.)