RIP: Colonel (ret’d) George Javornik, CD
13 September 2017: The RMR Foundation regrets to announce the death of Colonel (ret’d) George Javornik, CD, a former Commanding Officer (1978-82), Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel (1990-94), and Honorary Colonel (1994-99) of The Royal Montreal Regiment (and former Commander of District 1, a precursor to 34 GBC, from 1986-88). Comrade Javornik was also a member of the RMR Association (Br. 14).
Originally enlisting with the 11th Signals Regiment in Westmount as a militia recruit, within 15 years he had risen to command the unit (by then redesignated as the 712 Signals Squadron and now known as the 34th Signals Regiment).
His dedication and passion for the Reserves and the RMR was strong to the end, and he was quite involved in various projects such as Reserves 2000, a coalition of Canadians who wish to preserve the Militia as a viable option in Canadian defence capability. Colonel Javornik can be credited with saving the RMR from being disbanded or forced to amalgamate with several other Montreal-area units in the late 1990’s. His timely intervention as Honorary Colonel with the Minister of Defence helped preserve the RMR’s status and protected our future.
Most recently he was an active promoter of the establishment of a monument at Hill 70 in France. Thanks to the efforts of Colonel Javornik and others, a new monument has been unveiled and dedicated to commemorate the many soldiers sacrificed at the Battle of Hill 70 in August 1917, which included more than 150 RMR casualties.
Colonel Javornik was a strong leader who left a positive impression on the hundreds of men and women who served in the Regiment over the past several decades. Serving as a mentor and a guide, he made a profound impact on many RMR leaders, on both a professional and personal level. He will be sorely missed and the Regiment’s sympathies are extended to his family. Condolence messages can be left here.
Visitations on Friday, Sept. 22 from 6-8 pm at James Reid Funeral Home, Kingston. Funeral service on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 11 am at St. Barnaby’s Church, Seeley’s Bay followed by a reception until 3 pm at Fort Frontenac Officers’ Mess, Kingston. There will also be a Memorial Service in Montreal on Sept. 30 at 3 pm at St. Matthias Anglican Church, Westmount followed by a reception until 6 pm at The Royal Montreal Regiment Officers’ Mess.
LEST WE FORGET.
