BULMER, JOHN ALTON (JACK) - John Alton (Jack) Bulmer, born August 27, 1930, Cherryfield, NB, husband of Katherine Lillian Jones (Lynds) went to be with his Lord and Saviour on Friday, August 29, 2014. He was the only son of John Auley Bulmer and Vera Hazel Bulmer, nee Budd. He is survived by his first wife and mother of their children, Marjorie Edna Duke. The children are Patricia Maskell, St. Catharines; Eileen LeBlanc, Moncton; Rosalie Guimond, Richibucto; John Allen, Edmonton; Eldon, Moncton; Cynthia, Richibucto; Wesley, Vancouver and a stepdaughter, Cindy Robinson, Riverview. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, as well as a special adopted brother, Donald Carter. Jack attended a one room country school in Cherryfield and, after completing grade 8 in seven years, went to Moncton High, graduating in 1946 at age 15. He then attended Robinson Business College for one year. In September 1947 he went to work for the Canadian National Railways until retirement in January 1988 with 40 years and 4 months service. At that time, he was Manager of Claims Prevention for the Atlantic Region. He was active in community and church as a member of Cherryfield Baptist. In the past, he taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and helped provide special music. He was past President of CBRT Union Local 292 and past President of South East NB Bee Keepers Association. After retirement from CN, he operated a Christmas tree business as well as a Violin Rental business, taught violin students and once again retired in 2008. For the past several years, he hosted twice monthly kitchen parties during the winter months in the basement of Cherryfield Church and held monthly music nights in the Mapleton Estates, his home for the past year. He also enjoyed being outdoors, hunting and fishing. For a number of years, he cut wood to heat their home. In his early teens, he taught himself to play the violin by ear. Retirement from CN Rail gave him time to take up the violin again, learning more tunes. He eventually joined Ivan and Vivian Hicks and the Sussex Avenue Fiddlers to learn proper techniques and newer tunes. For a number of years, he also went for music instruction at the Gaelic College in Ste. Anne, Cape Breton. As time went on, he bought a book on “How to Read Music” that opened up new horizons and he started writing compositions of his own. He published a book of his music along with a CD, in 2010. With the help of many friends, a second CD and Book/CD was launched with a Flash Mob event at The Moncton Hospital on August 19, 2014. Accompanying Ivan and Vivian Hicks and the Sussex Avenue Fiddlers on various tours, Jack has played his violin in most Provinces and States, along the Atlantic Seacoast from Quebec to Louisiana. However, he held most dear the memories of the times he volunteered to play in local hospitals and Special Care or Nursing Homes, year after year. While doing all this, he found time to write a book entitled “My Story”. It covered his memories of growing up on a farm during the Great Depression until he left home in 1947 to go to work in the city. Another book is in the works.
Friends and family will celebrate Jack’s life at Fergusons Funeral Home, 1657 Mountain Road, Moncton (858-1995) on Monday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm. A Celebration of Life Service for Jack will be held at Fergusons Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at 2:00 pm, with Pastor Chet MacPhail officiating. Reception in the Funeral Home Reception Centre following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s memory may be made to the Cherryfield Baptist Development (Building) Fund or to the 2015 Grand Masters Fiddling Association. Online condolences at www.fergusonsfuneralhome.com