Linda Colwell 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 ingoing work ethic to advantage. She appreciates military history particularly that of the First World War era and enjoys playing in two small brass bands in Ottawa.
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.
Linda Colwell, President FCWM•AMCG
We are a charitable organization dedicated to supporting the Canadian War Museum, which is numbered among the best museums in the world. As you can well imagine, charitable organizations such as ours face growing pressures to ensure their ongoing relevance and sustainability. We believe we have a worthwhile cause, and we hope as you browse through our site, you will agree.
We extend to you a warm welcome and urge that you “come join us” as a member and donor.
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.
Linda Colwell
President
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Linda Colwell
President
Scott Healey
Vice President
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Scott Healey
Vice President
Scott has served in the RCN for over 40 years as a Naval Warfare Officer which includes two sea commands. Scott is currently serving at CANSOFCOM as Innovation Director. He is committed to honouring history with a view on future opportunities to ensure the survival and an understanding of our past. Scott has not-for-profit experience and brings a disruptive philosophy for change to organizations. Born in Kingston ON, raised in the GTA and currently residing in Ottawa with his partner, Ellen Hall. Scott spends as much time as possible on a family property on Howe Island. His many interests include biking, yoga, hockey, cooking, reading and community engagement for the better good.
David Sutton
Secretary
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David Sutton
Secretary
David received his MD from Queens University in 1963. Following postgraduate training in Medicine and Haematology he returned to Toronto in 1971 to the Toronto Western Hospital. For 35 years, he enjoyed an active clinical practice, and retired, to Picton, in 2006 with the academic rank of Associate Professor. His activities, since retirement, have included membership of the Princess Edward County Classical Music Festival Committee (a past Chair), the Parish Advisory Committee of St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church, Branch 78 Royal Canadian Legion (currently a Vice President) and is a volunteer driver for seniors. He is serves as Secretary of the Order of St. George. He served as a Medical Officer in the Reserves for a short time in the mid 1960’s and has always been interested in the military and military history.
André Savard
Treasurer
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André Savard
Treasurer
James (Jim) Payette was born and raised in Ottawa and attended Carleton University, obtaining a B.A. Honours in History and subsequently McGill University, obtaining a Certificate in Accounting. He achieved the designation of Certified Management Accountant (CMA, subsequently re-designated CPA, CMA) in 1998. Over a twenty-five year career, Jim has worked in financial management and business analysis areas in the federal and municipal public sectors, the not for profit sector and the private sector. At the same time Jim has continued to indulge a life-long interest in military history and looks forward to supporting the Canadian War Museum through the Friends of the Canadian War Museum.
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.
James Muckle
Director
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James Muckle
Director
Following 30 years with the Canadian Armed Forces, James Muckle worked as a speaker, trainer, facilitator and coach in human performance. His volunteer efforts include two previous terms with the Friends’ Board, several years as an executive member with his local Legion branch, and many years with Amarok Society/Start with Mothers, a Canadian-based charity that operates life-changing schools for illiterate mothers and their children in some of the poorest countries in the world. He has academic degrees in Mathematics, Economics and Business. He and his wife Nancy enjoy downhill skiing, cycling, golf, exercise classes, kayaking, and living in rural NS.
Robert Hamilton
Director
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Robert Hamilton
Director
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.
Frederick (Fred) Schmidt
Director
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Frederick (Fred) Schmidt
Director
Fred Schmidt served 30 years as a Canadian Forces Naval Logistics Officer and five years as a Finance executive with the Communications Security Establishment. He has served in warships, on UN and NATO deployments and as a liaison officer to the J4 of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the PENTAGON. He has served on various boards of directors in a variety of positions and is committed with his wife, Elizabeth, to promoting the survival of the vulnerable dog breed, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. He holds a BA, BEd, MSc and holds designations CPA (retd) and PLog.
Elizabeth Stuart
Director
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Elizabeth Stuart
Director
Elizabeth Stuart served 32 years in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Naval Logistics Officer, including deployments in warships and on a UN mission in Cambodia. Academic qualifications include a National Defence University MSc (National Resource Strategy and Supply Chain Management) in Washington, DC, and a CPA. Following military service, she joined the Federal Public Service as the Chief Financial Officer/Corporate Services at Veterans Affairs Canada. She currently enjoys volunteer work and ocean kayaking and her work in promoting the survival of a very special yet vulnerable dog breed, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
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.
Deanna Fimrite
Director
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Deanna Fimrite
Director
Deanna a grandi à Kelowna, en Colombie-Britannique, et après avoir vécu à Victoria et suivi des études postsecondaires, elle a été transférée à l’Université Carlton à l’automne 1999 et a étudié les affaires internationales avant de décider de déménager de façon permanente à Ottawa.
En mai 2000, elle a accepté un emploi au sein de l’Armée de terre, de la Marine et de la Force aérienne au Canada (ANAVESTS) et a été promue au poste de secrétaire du Dominion-Trésorière (directrice générale) en janvier 2013.
En reconnaissance de son service aux anciens combattants canadiens, elle a reçu les médailles du jubilé d’or de la Reine et du jubilé de diamant. Elle est mariée à son merveilleux mari Jason et aime voyager, le golf, le volley-ball et le softball.
Elle a rejoint le conseil d’administration de la AMCG en 2019.
Wayne Primeau
Director
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Wayne Primeau
Director
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.