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Ralph Frederick Wells Wightman

Born In: Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada
Born: July 2nd, 1921

Passed in: Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: January 18th, 2011

Major Ralph Frederick Wells Wightman, CD, Ret'd, died peacefully on January 18 at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre at the age of 89. Born in Amherst, NS on July 2, 1921, he was a son of F. Carmen and Ruth (Tingley) Wightman. He later lived in Kentville, NS where he was educated. He enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1940 with the Royal Canadian Engineers. He was subsequently transferred to the Royal Canadian Artillery serving in Newfoundland Labrador with the 25th Anti-aircraft Regiment in St. John's and Torbay and later with the 23rd Anti-Aircraft Regiment RCA in Sydney, NS and proceeded overseas as a reinforcement officer for the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and the Canadian Provost Corp serving in England and Northwest Europe. Following World War II he became the manager of Dominion Stores in Windsor, NS and later manager for Eastern Agriculture Lime Distributer Ltd. In 1949 he was reappointed to the Canadian Army Regular Force Royal Canadian Army Pay Corps then to the Royal Canadian Ordinance Corps as a supply officer, Halifax, NS, Gagetown, NB, and at the Directorate of Ordinance Services, Army headquarters, Ottawa, ON. In 1965 he was posted to the International Control and Supervisory Commission serving in Vietnam for one year. Upon his return he worked with the Centennial Directorate, controlling all financial matters related to the Centennial Program within Department of National Defence for Canada's Centennial year of 1967. Following the Centennial he was with the Directorate Canex as Merchandising Staff Officer. He retired from the Canadian Forces in 1970. Upon his retirement, he was employed by the United Church Home for Senior Citizens, Sackville, NB for a ten year period as Executive Director, operating the Drew Nursing Home and Tantramar Residences, creating major growth and improvements to the home's status. He was founding Director for the New Brunswick Association of Registered Nursing Homes. He was an active member of Trinity St. Stephen's United Church and former Trustee and Board member. He was a member of the Masonic order, a 32nd Degree Mason, a member of Lebanon Lodge #28, Sackville, NB and Sussex Lodge #4, Dorchester, NB. He was Past Master of the Acacia Lodge #8, Amherst and Past District Deputy Grand Master District #6, a member of the Scottish Rite and former Shriner. He also served for a number of years as President of the Amherst District Council of Scouts Canada. He was president of the Amherst Cemetery Board for 24 years carrying out major landscaping and management programs. He worked to improve the overall condition of the Cemetery from its appearance to its buildings, roads and perpetual care fund. He was an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion, as well as Past President of the Canadian Provost Corps, Maritime Division. He is survived by his wife of sixty five years, the former Muriel Eileen Irwin, two daughters Ruth (Fred) Gamble, Collingwood, NS and Jane (Jack) McDonald, Kentville, NS, two sons, Peter (Laura) Falmouth, NS and David (Dale) Amherst, NS, daughter-in-law Lois Wightman, Amherst, eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife Helen M. Wade, Kentville, 1942, brother John, Sackville, NB, 2000 and son Sgt. Ralph C. Wightman, Amherst, 2008. Ralph was resting at Campbell's Funeral Home, Amherst, NS. Visitation was Thursday, January 20, 2011 from 2-4 and 7-9pm. Masonic service and funeral service was held on Friday, January 21, 2011 at 2 p.m. from Trinity St. Stephen's United Church, Amherst with Rev. Susan Estabrooks officiating. Interment will take place at a later date in the Amherst Cemetery. Family flowers only, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made to the family via: www.campbellsamherst.ca

 

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