CPO1 Dave Bliss MMM
Fleet CPO
Formation CPO CJCRG
Served 1977-2025
LCdr (CPO1) Dave Bliss was born in Toronto in 1960. He was a Cadet for 4 years before joining the RCN in 1977 at age 17 as a RCN Weapons Underwater Technician, then a Naval Weapons Technician and finally as a CAF Senior Appointment .
He served in the regular force until 2014 after 37 years of service. He joined the Cadets organization in 2014 until his passing in Oct 2025. Dave had accumulated a total 48 years of service for his country with decades of those at sea or deployed. Dave as a CPO1 held that rank for 17 years and as Chief Petty Officer for 30 years. He was known as an consummate sailor and technician. As a senior NCO and Officer we was an outstanding leader and mentor.
He will be greatly missed by his family. He was Married to the love of his life, Laurel for 39 years. He is survived by his children Erandi (Jadon), Ashley (Adam) and Logan (Elizabeth) and grandchildren, Finn, Everlee and Indiana.
He Served at sea in HMC Ships Terra Nova, Qu Appelle, Yukon, twice in Restgouche, Huron, Algonquin, Regina, Winnipeg and two tours at Sea Training Pacific.
His milestone appointments include Coxswain of HMCS Winnipeg, Fleet Chief Pacific and Formation Chief Cadets and Canadian Junior Rangers Group. He was also proud of service as Cornwallis Recruit Instructor and his UN deployment to Cambodia.
His shore postings included a Key Appointment as the DGNPR Chief in Ottawa, Career Manager in Ottawa, DMMS Ottawa, Naval Engineering Unit Pacific, FMF Cape Breton, Formation Ammunition Inspector and MARPAC HQ trials Chief.
Dave and Laurel loved to travel and hike. They competed the West Coast Trail, the French Camino and Dave completed the Portuguese Camino.
Rest In Peace Dave, you were the best of shipmates.
Memorial Service
Place: C&POs Mess, 1575 Lyall Street, Esquimalt
Date: Friday, November 21
Time: 1100 hrs – NLT 1600 hrs
Dress: DEU 1A (medals) or equivalent for speakers / Appropriate civilian attire
Catered, no host bar
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “Bliss” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
38 Responses
Laurel, I am sorry for you and your family’s loss of your lifelong partner. Dave and I met/ sailed in Algonquin as young-ins, and then reconnected ‘many’ years later near the end of our careers. He was always firm but fair and challenged the institution to be better. I offer my condolences amidst the many sailors who benefited from his POV that crossed his wake. Although I do not know his outlook outside of uniform, I believe he was an avid supporter (nee, fighter) for those around him without fail.
To the Chief’s family, I send you my deepest condolences. Chief Bliss has made an impact on so many lives, mine included. He managed to remember details that could have seen trivial to make sure I felt seen and heard. Bon vent, bonne mer Chief.
Dave, I was deeply saddened to hear of your passing. Your leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to service left a lasting impact on me and to all who had the privilege of working and sailing alongside you.
We crossed paths a number of times in our careers and those memories I will cherish forever.
Fair winds and following seas Dave.
Harry.
My deepest condolences. I am truly shocked—I always believed there would be more time for conversations with my good friend. I first served with Dave in Restigouche, where, as a young subbie, his mentorship helped shape the leader I would become. Later, in Winnipeg, we served together again as part of the command team, sharing the highs, lows, and the richness of those responsibilities.
I will always remember his fearlessness, his sense of humour, and his unwaveringly human approach to even the most challenging situations. One memory stands out: Dave was the only one to volunteer to be dangled from a Sea King helicopter and dragged through the ocean along the length of the ship for charity—while the Ship’s Company cheered on “Chuck Norris!” That was Dave: bold, spirited, full of life, and kind to a fault.
I regret that I will never have the chance to raise a glass with him in Jamaica and share those stories, as I had always promised. But I will keep his memory alive in me, and his family will always be welcome at our hearth. One love, Robert and Shanaga.
To Laurel and The Bliss Family, My thoughts are with you at this time of personal loss and may your memories live on in eternity. I met Dave first as CPO1 at RCSU Pacific and again many times as Formation Chief at CJCR. There is no finer man that I have met who was dedicated to his country and the youth of Canada for over 48 years. I personally thank your family for your his sacrifice and dedication. The world will be a lesser place without Dave Bliss. May he Rest in Peace. Gerard Buckley, Board Member, The Army Cadet League of Canada
Please accept my deepest condolences for your great loss. He was a force to be reckoned with and an absolute pleasure to work with. This community will be a lesser place without him. Most, most sincerely,
Dave you will be missed, thankyou for your outstanding mentorShip and outstanding leadership as a Snr nCO and a naval weapons technician. Fair Winds and Following seas Chief, til we meet again.
Dave it was awesome to sail with you and know this tattooed person
It was an amazing career you have led, sooo many sailors looked up to you. Missed absolutely…. Rest In peace NEVER FORGOTTEN
Your friendship and mentorship were the greatest of gifts. I will always hold close our 0730 talks and your advice. We have the watch, fair winds and following seas Dave.
Fair winds my friend. My deepest condolences to the family