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HALL RENTAL

Past Presidents & Life Members

We are pleased to recognize and honour our Past Presidents and Life Members whose exceptional service and long-standing commitment have made a lasting impact on Branch 641.

Past Presidents

Our members deeply appreciate the dedication and leadership of our past presidents, whose time, commitment, and vision have helped shape Branch 641 into the welcoming and active community it is today. Their service laid a strong foundation for growth, stewardship, and support for Veterans and members alike, and their contributions continue to be felt and respected throughout the Branch.

past presidents of Branch 641 Barrhaven: men wearing blue Legion shirts and grey trousers standing in a line behind a table with a bouquet of flowers and provincial flags
Past Presidents of Branch 641 Barrhaven. June 2025.
Name*Dates in Office
 R.E. (Ray) Desjardins (Founding President)2004-2007
 Gordon Ley, CD2007-2009
Ernie Hughes, CD, KStG2009-2011, 2014-2015
 C.W. (Gus) Este, CD, KStG2011-2012
Ed Schelenz, CD2012-2013, 2015-2017, 2022-2023
Dave Sereda, KStG2013-2014
Bert Boehme, CD, KStG2017-2019
Stéphane Guy, MMM, CD2019-2022
Lyle Brennan, CD2023-2025

*A poppy on the photo and beside a member’s name signifies that they have passed away and served as a Veteran. A maple leaf on the photo and a maple leaf emoji 🍁 beside a member’s name indicate that they have passed away and were a civilian.

Our Past Presidents

  • a man with white hair, moustache and goatee wearing a dark blue jacket, blue tie with yellow stripes, Legion and military medals, standing in front of the Canadian and Legion flags
    R.E. (Ray) Desjardins
  • a man with thinning white hair and moustache wearing a dark blue jacket, blue tie with yellow stripes, Legion and military medals, standing in front of the Canadian and Legion flags
    Gordon Ley, CD
  • a man with white hair and moustache, wearing a dark blue jacket, blue tie with yellow stripes, Legion and military medals, and the cross of the Knights of St George standing in front of the Canadian and Legion flags
    Ernie Hughes, CD, KStG
  • a man with white hair, moustache and goatee wearing a dark blue jacket, blue tie with yellow stripes, Legion and military medals, and the cross of the Knights of St George, standing in front of the Canadian and Legion flags
    C.W. (Gus) Este, CD, KStG
  • a man with white hair, moustache and beard wearing a dark blue jacket, blue tie with yellow stripes, Legion and military medals, standing in front of the Canadian flag and Union Jack
    Ed Schelenz, CD
  • a man with grey hair, moustache and goatee wearing a dark blue jacket, blue tie with yellow stripes, Legion and military medals, and the cross of the Knights of St George, standing in front of the Canadian and Legion flags
    Dave Sereda, KStG
  • a man with white hair, moustache and beard wearing a dark blue jacket, blue tie with yellow stripes, Legion and military medals, and the cross of the Knights of St George, standing in front of the Canadian and Legion flags
    Bert Boehme, CD, KStG
  • a man with grey hair, moustache and beard wearing a dark blue jacket, blue tie with yellow stripes, Legion and military medals, standing in front of the Canadian and Legion flags
    Stéphane Guy, CD, MMM
  • a man with white hair, moustache and beard wearing a dark blue jacket, blue tie with yellow stripes, Legion and military medals, standing in front of the Canadian and Legion flags
    Lyle Brennan, CD

Life Members

Any Ordinary, Associate, or Affiliate Voting member may be awarded a Life Membership for outstanding Legion service after ten years of continuous membership. The Life Membership must be recommended by the comrade’s Branch and approved by the applicable Provincial Command. The period of membership that must be achieved is 10 consecutive years immediately prior to the date of the nomination. The ten years service does not have to be at the same branch. Branch 641 is proud to have nominated the following comrades:

Name*Year awarded Life Membership
 R.E. (Ray) Desjardins2008
 E. Gerald (Pat) Riley, CD2010
 Jerome (Jerry) Jodoin2010
 Bill Humphries2010
Donald G. Phair2010
 R.P. (Ray) Trudel, CD2011
 Gus Este, CD, KStG2011
 Gord Ley2011
🍁 Judy Phair2012
🍁 Kathy Johnston2014
Ernie Hughes, CD, KCStG2015
James Duff, CD2018
David St Amand, CD2019
Ed Schelenz, CD2020
Dave Sereda, KStG2023
Dave Cole, MSTJ, CD, KCStG2023
Sheila Sielatycki, DStG2023
 John Sielatycki, KStG2023
Bert Boehme, CD, KStG2025

*A poppy on the photo and beside a member’s name signifies that they have passed away and served as a Veteran. A maple leaf on the photo and a maple leaf emoji 🍁 beside a member’s name indicate that they have passed away and were a civilian.