Rene was a veteran of the Second World War, serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders.

He landed D-Day, was captured on D-Day plus one, was a prisoner of war, was liberated and later served in Belgium, Holland, Germany and France.

He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 61, Yarmouth.

Rene was a boat builder, sheet metal worker, a carpenter and jack-of-all-trades.