Appointee Biographies

DARRYL CATHCART

Darryl G. Cathcart enrolled in the Canadian Army in 1991 as a private soldier, was commissioned from the ranks as a senior non-commissioned member, and retired in 2017 as a senior officer. During his operational service, Darryl held command and staff positions in The Royal Canadian Regiment and the Canadian Special Operations Regiment, where he deployed to Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. Notable domestic appointments include serving at the Infantry School and as instructional staff at the Canadian Army Command and Staff College. He is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada, the United States Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare School, the Joint Command and Staff Programme at the Canadian Forces College, and Queen’s University. Darryl holds a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Western University.

TOVA BURKHART

Tova Burkhart, of Sarnia, is Water Operator and Maintainer with the Corporation of the City of Sarnia. She is also a former Health and Safety Consultant with Elite Agri Solutions and former Sergeant with the Canadian Armed Forces. Her community involvement includes serving as Junior Ranks' Mess Executive President with the Canadian Armed Forces Sarnia Garrison.

KIMBERLY FAWCETT SMITH

Kimberly Fawcett Smith is a retired regular officer of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). She began her career as a Combat Engineer in 1997 and served in Afghanistan in 2002 and in 2008. She was awarded the Deputy Chief of Defense Staff Commendation for her role with the JTF2 Special Operations Task Force during her first tour of duty. Kimberly holds a master’s degree in architecture, a master’s degree in International Affairs and is pursuing a PhD in International Relations. She is the only woman in Canadian history to have served in a war zone with a prosthetic leg (Afghanistan). Kimberly was involved in a 15-year odyssey fighting the federal government and ultimately prevailing with an affirmative decision acknowledging that all her injuries were attributable to military service. She was inducted into the Canadian Armed Forces Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

FRANCIS COLTON

Francis (Chris) Colton joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and graduated as a pilot in 1967. Over the next 36 years he served in Canada and the US. His command appointments included operations in Norway, Djibouti, Kuwait, Cyprus and Australia. He was also appointed as the Commanding Officer of 440 Transport and Rescue Squadron. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the RCAF in 2001. In 2002 he was appointed as the Executive Director of the National Air Force Museum of Canada in Trenton. He retired from that position in 2018. He has served on the Board of Trenval, the local Business Development Corp., as a planning committee member of the Mutual Concerns Conference at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington DC, and as a member of the Rotary Club of Trenton serving as President in 2001. He is married to Major (ret.) Micky Colton, also a former RCAF pilot.

MICHAEL OSTAFICHUK

Michael Ostafichuk, CD, was born in Vancouver, B.C and resides in Ottawa, Ontario. Mr. Ostafichuk graduated with honours in Law Enforcement from Seneca College. He was employed with the federal government in various departments and agencies in an enforcement capacity until his retirement in 2023 after 30 years service. Mr. Ostafichuk joined the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserves in 1985 and served with 2 Intelligence Company, Toronto, ON, where he completed his training as an Intelligence Operator. Sgt. Ostafichuk filled various company positions and deployed on Operation Palladium Roto 7 in September 2000 with 2 PPCLI BG to Bosnia. Mr. Ostafichuk enjoys spending time with family, fishing, and camping. He is an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Stittsville Branch 618 as the Branch President.

G. ROBIN COOKE

G. Robin Cooke, CD was born in Windsor, Ontario. Mr. Cooke attended St. Clair College, the University of Windsor, University of Guelph, and Queen’s University, Kingston. He was employed as a Technological Education teacher and department head for the North Shore, Norfolk and Grand Erie District Boards of Education. Mr. Cooke was commissioned an officer in the Canadian Forces in 1986 and joined the 56 Field Regiment, RCA where he held several Regimental appointments. In 2006, Captain Cooke entered full-time service with the Canadian Armed Forces as G3 Plans with Task Force 3-06. In September 2006, he filled the G3 Plans position at 31 CBG in London. Captain Cooke joined 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, Task Force 3-08 in April 2008 deploying to Afghanistan in September 2008. Mr. Cooke enjoys recreational flying, kayaking, reading and gardening. He is an active member of Branch 79, Royal Canadian Legion assisting other veterans as the branch Service Officer.