Corporal Kenneth O'Quinn
Corporal Kenneth O'Quinn
Corporal Kenneth Chad O’Quinn was born on the 25th of January, 1984 in Goose Bay, Newfoundland. He initially enrolled in the Canadian Forces as a Naval Officer Cadet completing his Basic Training in Saint-Jean, Quebec and was then enrolled at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario. This was a career path that did not take him long to determine was not for him and on 3 July 2003 he voluntarily transferred to become a Non-Commissioned Member, and specifically a Signal Operator.
Cpl O’Quinn was then sent to the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics (CFSCE) for his Signal Operator Apprenticeship training, which he completed on 29 April 2004. The turn-around was complete. As a Signals Operator Cpl O’Quinn was a marvel, the academic subjects that he struggled with as a Naval Cadet became simple once he set his sights on what he wanted to become.
Cpl O’Quinn became a member of A Troop, 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters & Signal Squadron (2 CMBG HQ & Sig Sqn) on 29 April 2004. His positive impact in the troop was felt immediately, while his excellent attitude and love for his work were apparent to everyone around him.
He deployed as a key member on Operation Athena Rotation 4 in Kabul from 21 August 2005 until 14 December 2005 when unfortunately his tour was cut short due to an injury while on leave. He received the General Campaign Star and the South West Asian Service Medal (SWASM) for his service.
After healing and getting his body back into top physical condition Cpl O’Quinn returned to 2 CMBG HQ & Sig Sqn and was eager to return to Afghanistan. He was promoted to Corporal on 30 June 2006. He trained to be a member of the Command Post crew for the Joint Task Force Headquarters Provincial Operations Centre at Kandahar Airfield until he was selected due to his outstanding tactical skills to deploy in support of our Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) teams in the C-IED Sqn.
Cpl O’Quinn was a soldier of incomparable physical fitness, adaptability and seemingly unlimited potential, staffing an application to join JTF-2. He unselfishly contributed to team efforts, and inspired his peers and his subordinates to achieve the highest possible fitness level.
He was known as an outstanding instructor, being a very relaxed speaker who could communicate with credibility and confidence. He was a role model for those around him. In his spare time Cpl O’Quinn spent a lot of his down time at the gym, weight-lifting and often provided his knowledge to others in tailoring training programs.
Unsurprisingly Cpl O’Quinn earned the 2007 Bench Pressing Competition in CFB Petawawa in the Middle Weight (179-200 lb) level with a bench press of 360 pounds. He will be remembered for his love of adventure, his caring nature, and his dedication to living life to its fullest.
Cpl O’Quinn is survived by his fiancée, Naomi Holder, his mother Rhonda Lee O’Quinn, his father Gerard Kenneth O’Quinn, and his brother Pte Adam Steven Louis O’Quinn.
Family Statement
Jesus said, I am the
Resurrection and the Life.
Those who believe in me will live,
even though they die.