Edmonton soldier promoted before fire; friends remember Morgan Wong's quiet strength in service
Sergeant Morgan Wong, 26, who was recently promoted, lived in Edmonton and volunteered with St. John Ambulance, mentoring community members in medical response.
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Sergeant Morgan Wong, 26, one of four Edmonton-based soldiers killed in the October 17 fire at CFB Wainwright, was a quiet force in his community — a University of Alberta commerce graduate who served as a financial analyst with the Government of Alberta by day and volunteered as a medical first responder with St. John Ambulance by night.
Wong joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a reservist with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment after graduating from Harry Ainlay High School in 2017. He earned a bachelor of commerce degree in 2022 and held certificates in real estate and civil-military leadership. In 2025, he served nine months on Operation Reassurance in Latvia. He was recently promoted to sergeant.
"We loved Morgan very much and we are extremely proud of him," his family said in a statement. "He was an incredible person who was always there whenever anyone needed him. He loved being active and spending time with his friends and family. He was extremely proud to serve with the Canadian Armed Forces."
Rhyneice Cook, community services co-ordinator for St. John Ambulance, knew Wong through that volunteer work. "I got to know Morgan through one of his best sides, and that was his side he gave back to the community," Cook said. "He always stepped up and he was kind of a shy unassuming guy, but he made such a difference for anyone in the community."
Wong's St. John Ambulance team includes several active CAF members. Cook said Wong taught military training methods and techniques to the volunteer team and took care of patients with the same precision he brought to his other roles. "His wealth of knowledge and experience that he had, he was always willing to share and mentor our volunteer team and take care of our patients," Cook said.
The three other soldiers killed in the fire were Private Shaun Farrell from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan; Private Aidan Goulding from Victoria, British Columbia; and Private Hayden Lykkemark from Langley, British Columbia.
The facts
Who was Morgan Wong?
Sergeant Morgan Wong was a 26-year-old Edmonton resident and Canadian Armed Forces reservist with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment. He held a bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Alberta and worked as a financial analyst with the Government of Alberta.
When did the fire at CFB Wainwright occur?
The fire at CFB Wainwright occurred on Saturday, October 17, 2026, killing four Edmonton-based soldiers including Morgan Wong.
What volunteer work did Morgan Wong do?
Morgan Wong volunteered with St. John Ambulance, mentoring community members in medical response and teaching military training methods and techniques to the volunteer team.
Where did Morgan Wong serve with the Canadian Armed Forces?
In 2025, Morgan Wong served nine months on Operation Reassurance in Latvia as a reservist with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment.
