Jason Edward Zelward

After a hard fought and courageous battle with cancer, Major Jason Edward Zelward, passed away peacefully at Bobby’s Hospice in Saint John on November 18, 2018 at the age of 35.  Born in Saint John NB on June 28th 1983, he served with the Royal Canadian Engineers in the Canadian Forces for 17 years, primarily in Oromocto NB at Base Gagetown and most recently with 1 Canadian Engineer Regiment in Edmonton, AB.

Jason earned a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of New Brunswick in 2007.  He joined the Canadian Armed Forces in June, 2001 as a Combat Engineering Officer.

His first posting was to 4 Engineer Support Regiment at Base Gagetown from 2008 to 2011, CTC Headquarters from 2011 to 2012 and Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering from 2012 to 2016. Jason was deployed to Jerusalem with OP PROTEUS for a year and was then posted to 1 Combat Engineer Regiment in Edmonton Alberta as a Squadron OC.  His most memorable postings were as an Instructor at CFSME where he strove to inspire young officers, his time in Israel and at his final posting in Edmonton, doing the job he so loved.

Jason loved his two cats Lila and Wendell and they will miss their daddy dearly. He loved to read and play video games to unwind, usually with a glass of 18 year old scotch.  He enjoyed hiking and camping and he loved to travel.  He considered himself lucky to have seen so much of the world in his short time on Earth.  He was an avid runner and ran several half marathons.

Though his battle with cancer was brief, he faced everyday with an indomitable spirit and determination. Never one to complain about his own illness, he instead focused on his family, friends and the people around him by trying to bring joy and laughter into their lives.

Jason will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by wife Bridget (Fraser), parents Edward and Jill of Saint John, sister Ashley Zelward (Joshua Kilpatrick) of Upham, NB as well as two precious nieces Lacey and Lydia.  He is also survived by Grandparents Arthur and Eva Zelward of Saint John, NB and Grandmother Mary Merrithew also of Saint John, NB as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.  He is predeceased by Grandfather Don Merrithew.

Jason’s family wishes to thank the Doctors, nurses and staff who treated him at the University of Alberta Hospital, the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton and would like to especially thank the staff at Bobby’s Hospice in Saint John for the care and compassion they provided in making his final days comfortable and peaceful and full of beautiful memories and laughter.

Visitation in Saint John will be held at Fundy Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at 11:00-1:00 and 4:00-8:00 Visitation in Oromocto will be held on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 from 4:00-8:00 at the Oromocto Funeral Home.  The funeral will be at the St. Luke’s Chapel at Base Gagetown in Oromocto, with overflow seating at St. Mary’s Chapel at 2:00 on Thursday, November 22. A CELEBRATION OF LIFE/RECEPTION WILL FOLLOW AT THE OFFICER’S MESS.   Interment will occur at 11:00 on Friday November, 23 at Fernhill Cemetery in Saint John.

Donations can be made to Second Chance Animal Rescue Society (SCARS) Alberta, The Oromocto SPCA or Bobby’s Hospice.

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