Master Corporal Michael Touchette
Governor General’s Foot Guards
MCpl Mike Touchette died peacefully surrounded by his family on July 31st, 2010, at the age of 61.
MCpl Touchette was an infantry soldier with the Governor General’s Foot Guards (GGFG), a Canadian Armed Forces Reserve Regiment. He was also a Mortarman and long-time shooter/coach/mentor/recruiter with the Regiment Combat Shooting Team.
Earlier in his life Mike enlisted with the US Army and completed two tours in Vietnam as a Lineman and later as a Long-Range Patrolman. He was involved in combat in Vietnam, and it left him with PTSD for the remainder of his life. Mike was grateful for the formation of the Canadian Vietnam Veterans Association which he credited as being one of the treatments for helping him through his injury.
Within the GGFG MCpl Touchette found his calling in the Shooting Team where he trained and mentored many from the Guards. He was very good with that skill, and it was not uncommon to be in local, national or international competitions to see him helping other unit competitors as we competed against them.
Mike was a loving family man, which was evident from his affection for his wife Valerie who passed away two years after him, and seeing his kids Michelle and Sean who were at the Cartier Square Drill Hall regularly.
In his civilian employment he was a City of Ottawa By-Law Officer (Green Hornet in his day). Mike could be seen around town issuing tickets but also educating citizens on parking regulations without issuing a ticket.
Mike Touchette will always be greatly missed.
The Old Guard GGFGRA team is dedicating their run to him.
UP THE GUARDS!
Major (Ret’d) Warren Chang Fong CD
Governor General’s Foot Guards Regimental Association