Meet the Board

President: Mike Babin

Mike Babin is the son of Hong Kong veteran Alfred (RRC) and Christina Babin, both deceased. He is retired, having spent over 32 years with IBM Corporation in technical and senior sales and marketing positions.

After his retirement early in 2004 Mike became involved in the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association (HKVCA). He has been an active member of the HKVCA's Board of Directors since then, and is also the Ontario Regional Director.

Mike is married to Dawn and they have two children -Shelley and Julie -and four grandchildren. For many years Shelley and Julie swam competitively at the elite level, and Mike was heavily involved in volunteer work with their swim club, including holding positions on its Board.

Mike lives in Toronto. He is an avid tennis player, cyclist, and skier and enjoys triathlons, travel and studying French.

Treasurer - Mark Purcell

Mark was born and raised in Toronto and is a third-generation member of the HKVCA. Mark is the grandson of Lt. Leonard Corrigan (WG) and has been a member of the Ontario Region Executive as Regional Treasurer since 2006.

Mark started his working life in the outdoors but has now spent over twenty years doing administrative work for various organizations. Mark is a graduate of George Brown College where he studied Culinary Management and Food and Nutrition Management. He has also done extensive volunteer work in many different organizations in addition to his working life..

Mark has enjoyed being part of the HKVCA family and has been honoured to participate in many events commemorating our Veterans in Canada, Hong Kong and Japan.

Judi Denison

Born an Anglophone in Quebec City, Judi is a bilingual educator who has focused on Second Language instruction, positive mental health initiatives and literacy throughout her career. She attended Mount Allison University (B.A.), Queen’s University (BEd.) and Mount St. Vincent University (Masters).

Retired from the Peel District School Board as a principal, Judi has continued to serve in various capacities, at the board and school levels.

Judi has worked extensively with adult learners at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (University of Toronto), as a course instructor and program manager. She has taught additional qualification courses for teachers for over 25 years. Recently, she has instructed international groups including delegations from Saudi Arabia, China, India and Wales. She has travelled internationally, teaching in China, Saudi Arabia and Norway.

Judi has volunteered in many capacities, serving on the Board of Directors of Peel Children’s Aid Society and the Lytton Park Residents’ Organization. She has also volunteered at the Royal Ontario Museum and in her political riding, both federally and provincially.

Judi’s father, Elmer Denison (Denny Mark 2) and uncle, Everette Denison (Denny Mark 1) both served with with Royal Rifles of Canada in Hong Kong.

Secretary: Lucette Mailloux Muir

I am the widow of Kenneth Muir, HK Veteran of the Royal Rifles of Canada.

I was born in Cowansville, Qc in the Eastern Townships, half way between Montreal and Sherbrooke. I have only one younger sister. I am the mother of two children and grand-mother to two grand-children, Jessica Lee and Justin. There are also Ken’s children Shirley, Danny, Carol and their families. I graduated from school in secretarial, book-keeping and later in life in accounting in both in French and in English.

I worked for 5 years in sales/advertising for the Vilas Furniture company, for 8 years for Albany International (makers of paper machine felts or blankets) in design and then retired 24 years ago from Sears Canada after 20 years service as Assistant Manager, Manager and finally in sales.

In 1989 I got involved in the RC Legion in Granby, as Ken was very active in the Legion as well as the HKVA. I have been an Associate member of the RC Legion for 25 years. I was also a member the Ladies Aux. of the RC Legion and held the positions of secretary, 2nd vice, 1st vice, president of the kitchen committee and served 5 years as president of the LA and also First-Vice Pres. for two years followed by a two year term as President of the Ladies Aux. both at the District Level. In the Senior Branch I held the position of secretary for 12 years, secretary/treasurer, secretary to the Service Officer as well as setting on most committees. Organized a Provincial Convention for the Quebec Provincial Command and attended 3 Conventions and many Seminars across the country for the RC Legion.

For 3 years during the summer months, worked with children as administration helper and general helper at a Children’s Summer Camp for underprivileged children. Was also involved as administration secretary, membership chairperson and president of social activities committee for the Senior Club of 2,000 members strong.

I have been associated with the HKVA since 1986. In 1992 got involved by organizing the Quebec-Maritimes Branch reunion and since that time organized many provincial reunions, 2 National Conventions and helped on other conventions and reunions for the HKVA.

I was first elected President (Regional Director) of the HKVCA Quebec Region in 1998 at the formation of the Quebec Region. Attended executive meetings of the HKVA Qc-Mar. Branch and proud to say, the first lady to sit at these meetings.

I attended many reunions, conventions and other functions of the Association across Canada.

Even following Ken’s death, I wanted to continue with the HKVA and eventually the HKVCA, because I believe in the Association and have great respect for what our fathers, husbands, uncles, grand-fathers did and endured for the freedom that we enjoy today and this even as a young child I felt this way even if, at that time while attending the Remembrance Ceremony, did not know the reason why I had that great respect for all veterans and for what they did for their Country.

It is imperative that the Hong Kong Veteran’s horrific ordeal NEVER be forgotten. It is also very important that the widows and families of the veterans’ everyday needs be taken care of. Personally I take some time for hobbies which are flower gardening and decorating in the summer months, reading, knitting and sewing in the winter months and of course continue to travel whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Vice President: Bernard LeBlanc

No bio or photo available.

Stephanie Mitchell

Stephanie is the granddaughter of Lt.William Vaughan Mitchell of the Winnipeg Grenadiers in the battle of Hong Kong, and daughter to HKVCA treasurer Barry Mitchell. After many years as a member and attendee to luncheons and conventions, Stephanie is a new and enthusiastic member of the board. Living in Winnipeg after four years in France, Stephanie is looking forward to engaging in the organization and contributing to the important work of the HKVCA.

Kathie Carlson

Kathie is the daughter of Lt. Leonard Corrigan (WG), and was born and raised in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, with three other sisters who all are actively involved today in HKVCA in Alberta and Ontario. Her career started as a Nurse in Ontario, but evolved returning to Saskatchewan and Alberta, with a focus on applying her skills to support persons with developmental disabilities, mental illness and injured workers in various capacities working with the Alberta government and Lethbridge Community College Kathie retired in 2007, allowing for more time to dedicate herself to HKVCA and communities promoting awareness of our Hong Kong Veterans. Because of her fathers legacy , she has been involved in HKVCA for most of her adult life, as well as membership in the General Stewart Legions # 4 in Lethbridge. Kathie has been the HKVCA Area Rep for Alberta and Saskatchewan for many years, but over the last two years was the Chair of the 80 th Anniversary Reunion in Ottawa last August 2025 which brought together over two hundred members and interested non members from across Canada. I am now committed to continuing the work for HKVCA.

Cameron Wood

Cameron Wood is the son of Sgt. Leonard Wood (Royal Rifles of Canada) and Alma Gordon (both deceased), and is presently a resident of Vancouver. He grew up in Lennoxville, Que., now a borough of Sherbrooke, and many years ago attended Bishop’s University working towards a B.A. in psychology. After his third year, he took one year off from his studies and then completed his degree at Carleton University in Ottawa. Shortly after graduation he was employed as an orderly at the Ottawa Civic Hospital and thereafter transitioned to palliative care.

In 1977 he moved to Alberta and within a few months worked as a mental health worker on M2 (McNab) inpatient unit at the Holy Cross Hospital in Calgary and part time with the Psych- Assessment team associated with the Emergency Department. He also worked on-call at the FHH on Units 21 & 22 (general psych-admissions & youth care).

As emotionally rewarding as it was to be employed in mental health services, Cameron realised that not every patient heals, and decided to retire from Psych healthcare. However, his devotion to education and its role in mental health services, enabled him to transition to tertiary education and in doing so, he earned an M.Ed. in educational technology (University of Southern Queensland). He decided to move abroad in 1997 and with a Masters degree from USQ; he secured a position as an associate professor at Chung Ang University in Seoul.

He introduced media to the language classroom at CAU within the department of English Education in order to pivot undergraduate and graduate students away rote-learning. These were wonderful years (1997-2013) at CAU, and with South Korea, a short flight away from Hong Kong and lengthy winter and summer vacations, Cameron flew to this magnificent city in 1998 and 2007 in order to visit Sai Wan War Cemetery. Of course, this was an emotional tribute to his father and all the other brave soldiers who sacrificed so much in the Battle of Hong Kong.

Cameron’s brother, Grant Wood is also a devoted member of the HKVCA as is his sister Catherine Marshall and her husband Alan Marshall who have been deeply involved with the HKVCA in Quebec.

Continuing to work with various forms of media, you will find a musical and pictorial tribute in video format on the HKVCA Facebook page that poignantly conveys the sentiment of family and friends of those who served and fought in the Battle of Hong Kong. Over eighty years have passed since this almost forgotten battle took place. However, as the sons and daughters of those who served in Hong Kong, we can and should keep their memories alive with our contributions to the HKVCA..