Albert Wayne Carr

Proud to have served with Wayne in 2 Service Battalion - as my very first CO. Those first few years were exciting for a young officer and Wayne was one of the best that I have served with in my career. Everything from some of the coldest winter exercises to massive RV 89 concentrations in Wainwright. He taught us what hard work and espirit de corps meant. My dearest condolences to his family and friends.

My sincerest condolences to the family of Wayne Carr. I had the absolute privilege of working for Wayne for 7 years (first in DMMD and then in DSCO). Although I never knew him in uniform I could tell that he had been an amazing soldier. During my time working with him he was a sage mentor for me. He provided me with sound advice and certainly helped me develop as an officer. I could always count on him as he would always take the time to listen to me and then guide me towards the right course of action. He will be missed.

On behalf of the officers, soldiers, sailors, airmen, and airwomen of 2 Service Battalion it is with great sadness that we learned of Lieutenant-Colonel Wayne Carr’s passing this week. As the Commanding Officer (CO) from July 1987 to July 1989, Wayne led an extraordinary team in supporting the Special Service Force, fostering a level of dedication and pride in his unit that was second to no other. In a review of the Battalion “Line Book”, it was clear that he had a significant impact on the officers and soldiers of his unit. In particular, one quote from him states “The most successful service battalion officer is the one who can still smile with his mouth full of dirt!” Always a positive and inspirational role model, Wayne embodied the epitome of the leadership and sharp wit of a Canadian Officer. We will continue to remember Wayne and strive every day to remember all that he gave us.

To Johanna and all of Wayne’s family we wish you the best through this difficult time. We remain, always, your Service Battalion Family.

-The Command Team, Lieutenant-Colonel Robin Chenard and Chief Warrant Officer Jimmy Côté.

Hi Johanna, as I indicated to you it was hard to respond once you informed me of Wayne's passing. It was a tremendous shock to me – as I am sure you are aware I always held Wayne as my anchor to my time in the real Army, doing things they were supposed to done. Training hard to be able to execute the things that we were really supposed to be capable of doing.
I hope that you have been able to deal with his loss as reasonably as possible. It doesn’t seem possible that the two of you go through a working life with all of its trials and challenges, raise a good family, and then lose the opportunity to enjoy it together far too soon. I know that Wayne was a challenge for you as well as for the rest of us. He was an active man, with a more active mind. I have always considered him as the key mentor in my military career – he provided a model for how to be innovative in challenging people and making sure they didn’t get bored or satisfied with the status quo. Wayne’s character and professional attributes presented a standard that few could measure up to. I guess this was obvious from my perspective as he was one of only two contemporaries that I stayed in close touch with since I stopped polishing the combat boots.
Wayne and I had a unique bond – I will always look back fondly on the calls from him at 1730 hrs in my office to meet him in my other office...as I was also his PMC of the Officers’ Mess. We were both “Supply Guys” and had many things in common to discuss. I will always recall with a smile he and Don Strong training for BGen Douglas’ “Black Bear” challenge for COs and RSMs – Wayne training with an extra 50 lbs in his pack...which he failed to remove before the competition. And the evenings he would show up at my door with his pack on, just looking for some company for a hike along the escarpment – trying to stay on his shoulder with a 60 lb pack was not only challenging, but also something I could only handle occasionally. The smile he carried during the entire hike was depressing...When he got that glint in his eye one happy hour while laughing at my desire not to do the walk one Friday night – I was able to throw a 23 year old Lieutenant into the breach by mentioning that the Lt didn’t think that the CO could keep up with him. He proceeded to forced march the Lt into the ground over the next hour (I think he still had the extra 50 lbs in his pack). He did him in with his 4th turn to repeat "zipperhead hill" near the Mess. Wayne I had similar views on what being in a unit meant – I was so proud to be able to participate in a year where we swept the SSF sports competitions in his second year in command – hockey (of course), fastball, soccer and the Force track and field day. Lots of officers talked about “working hard and playing hard”, but Wayne lived that way, talked the talk and walked the walk. There was never an easy way out – put in the work and achieve what needed to be done – no shortcuts. I know that he approached his work in Ottawa the same way he commanded – with dedication and diligence – no shortcuts. His battalion theme song was so appropriate for all of his successes – Oh Lord it's Hard to be Humble – we had lots of opportunity to sing that one. It all seems to have come to an end far too soon...
Johanna, I had every intent to come to Ottawa for Wayne’s interment, but as I explained to you I cannot make the trip just now.. I will give you a call once things settle down a bit. You can be assured that my thoughts are with you through all of this, and please pass on our condolences and thoughts to Angie, Ashley and Derek and their families. While I know that they appreciated their Dad, it is important that they know that the impact he had on his people in the military was felt so positively by a whole generation of officers and other ranks.

Take Care
Mona & Jim Graham

May You Rest in Peace, Sir.

May he rest in peace

My sincerest condolences to you, Mrs. Carr, and the whole family. I was very saddened to learn of Mr. Carr's passing as you both have been such a big part of our family's lives for so many years. I know how much my parents have cherished their visits and adventures with you. I will miss his laughter. Peace to you.