Remembrance Day

Richard Isabelle’s professional career started with the achievement of a Civil Engineering degree at Royal Military College, followed by 25 years of service in the Canadian Military Engineers. During that time, he had the opportunity to serve in many bases across Canada and in several foreign countries including Germany, the USA, Kuwait, Iraq and Bosnia.

In 1991, he was the Commanding Officer of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment when the Regiment went to Kuwait and Iraq for de-mining and construction operations following the Persian Gulf War. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross as a consequence of that mission. From 1995 to 1997 he was Commanding Officer of Joint Task Force Two, a unique tactical unit assigned responsibility for strategic counter terrorist, hostage rescue and other special operations both in Canada and overseas.

In September 1999, then Colonel Isabelle was posted to Gagetown to be the Commander of the Combat Training Centre. At the end of that tour in 2001 he and his family decided to settle in Oromocto as it was such a great family community

After retirement from the Canadian Forces, Richard worked in private industry for three years as Vice President Operations for Learnstream Inc, a knowledge industry company that developed computer-based training courses for corporate and government clients.

In 2004 Richard accepted an appointment with the New Brunswick Department of Public Safety as Assistant Deputy Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services. That work included the coordination of emergency services across the province, and created the opportunity to work with many members of Cabinet in the pursuit of program objectives.

In 2011 he took on the role of Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Oromocto, where he was responsible for the provision of municipal services including police, fire and rescue, streets, utilities, sports and recreation, tourism, property management and economic development. He retired from that position in January 2018.

Richard is currently a member of the Board of Governors for the Fredericton International Airport Authority. He was also a member of the Board of Governors for the Corps of Commissionaires, NB and PEI Division from 2002 to 2018.

Richard and his wife Rhonda have settled into their retirement home on Hartts Lake in the Village of Gagetown, which they hope will be their long-term base of operations for travel up and down the Saint John River and any other port of call around the globe!