Retired Royal Canadian Navy warrant officer and veteran navy chef Howard Debassige of M'Chigeeng reflected on his nearly 25-year military career, which spanned various ships, international patrols, and humanitarian missions before returning to community work on Manitoulin Island.
M’CHIGEENG—Howard Debassige came home after serving in the Royal Canadian Navy for nearly a quarter of a century, having worked his way up from a 19-year-old recruit to the rank of warrant officer.
“I retired as a warrant officer,” said Mr. Debassige. “I spent 22 years in Halifax, with the navy, then I got posted to CFB North Bay for a couple of years and that’s where I retired.”
Mr. Debassige left home and travelled to Toronto at the age of 19 to attend George Brown College. After graduation, he enlisted in the Canadian Forces, entering the navy and found himself Halifax bound and the start of a career as a navy chef.
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