Canadian Soldier's Funeral Arrangements Announced Following Death in Latvia
The funeral for Canadian Armed Forces Gunner Sebastian Halmagean will be held this Sunday in Ancaster, Ontario, following his death while deployed on Operation Reassurance in Latvia. The 24-year-old soldier from Hamilton died on January 29, 2026, near Riga, Latvia, just weeks into his first overseas tour after serving three years in the military.
Repatriation and Funeral Details
Halmagean's body returned to Canada during a repatriation ceremony at Canadian Forces Base Trenton on Tuesday, February 3. According to arrangements posted on Arbor Memorial's website, public visitation will occur on Sunday at Dodsworth & Brown Funeral Home – Ancaster Chapel located at 90 Garner Road East in Ancaster.
The visitation hours are scheduled from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and again from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The funeral service will follow on Monday at 11:00 AM in the funeral home's chapel, with burial to take place in the Field of Honour at Woodland Cemetery in Burlington, Ontario.
Family Requests and Livestream Information
The family has requested that guests keep condolences brief during both visitation and service to accommodate all who wish to pay their respects. "On behalf of the family, they are deeply grateful for your kind words, support, and presence during this difficult time," the official notice stated.
For those unable to attend in person, a livestream of the service will be available through Arbor Memorial's website, allowing broader participation in honoring the fallen soldier.
Military Service and Investigation
Gunner Sebastian Halmagean was a member of the Royal Canadian Artillery based at the 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown in Oromocto, New Brunswick. He was deployed as part of the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia under Operation Reassurance, Canada's contribution to NATO assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe.
The cause of his death remains under investigation by Canadian Forces military police with support from Latvian state police. No details about the circumstances have been released publicly at this time.
Family Remembers Dedicated Soldier
In statements to media, Halmagean's father, Alin Halmagean, described his son as someone who was "proud to be Canadian" and deeply committed to his military career. "He loved being a soldier and was dedicated to his military career," the father told the Toronto Sun, noting that his son had wanted to serve his country since childhood.
The young soldier's passing has drawn attention to the ongoing Canadian military presence in Latvia, where approximately 700 Canadian troops are deployed as part of NATO's enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group, aimed at deterring aggression in the region.
