WILSON, HAROLD RODNEY
It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Harold Rodney “Rod” Wilson of Fredericton, NB on Monday, March 30, 2015, after a long and courageous battle with heart and kidney disease.
Rod will be profoundly missed by his wife of 56 years, Judith Marilyn Wilson (nee Lowe), and sons, Rodney Arthur and Derek Alexander (Patricia Small). He was a deeply caring and much loved grandfather to Jackson, Marcus and Jarrod; brother to Edith (Harold, deceased), Charlie (Ruth), Ronald (Pat) and Lewis (Joan). Rod is sadly missed and fondly remembered by a host of nieces and nephews and their families as well as sisters-in-law, Linda Lowe and Sharon Fowler; brother-in-law, Eugene Fowler, and loyal family friend, Tracey Dale.
He was predeceased by his parents, Harry E. and Daisy P. Wilson; as well as brothers, Vance (Kathleen) and Leslie (Jean); sisters, Floris (Bryon) Saunders and Shirley (James O.) Brooks; in-laws, Arthur and Thelma Lowe of St. Stephen, NB.
He was educated in Fredericton High School, New Brunswick Teachers’ College and the University of New Brunswick, Rod was a lifelong teacher who spent more than fifty years in the public schools of New Brunswick. He loved his profession and the children he taught and up until his death he never failed to note the school buses as they passed his home both morning and afternoon. He was what might be called a reluctant retiree. Rod was honoured as Canadian Teacher of the Year in the Year of the Child, an honour he held close to his heart. While he was passionate about his profession, Rod had an abiding love of sports and was an active coach for fifty two years, when he finally retired at age 68. He was a Level III baseball coach, a Course Conductor and Master Course Conductor in the National Coaching Certification Program, a coach with the Canadian Junior Baseball Team, a scout for the Toronto Blue Jays including the years of their World Series Championships, a four time Coach of the Year in the New Brunswick Senior Baseball League, recipient of the Moosehead Sports Award, Sports New Brunswick’s Coach of the Year (1989), and coach of the 2006 Canadian Senior Baseball Champion Moncton Mets. Rod is and honoured member of the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame (1988), Baseball New Brunswick Hall of Fame (2000), and the Moncton Sports Wall of Fame (2008). Rod helped to bring championships to numerous teams including the St. Stephen Spartans, St. Stephen Sabres, St. Stephen Rotary Wheels, Fredericton Royals and Moncton Mets. Rod was honoured by the Town of St. Stephen on August 10, 1988, by having the local baseball diamond named “The H. Rod Wilson Ball field”. Rod’s greatest joy in life was watching his two sons and three grandsons enjoy sports which he and his wife Judy loved so much. In particular, he was extremely proud of coaching Rod and Derek and the Moncton Mets to the National Senior Baseball Championships in Brandon, Manitoba in August of 2006. That was a real family affair. Also Rod and grandson Jackson spent many wonderful hours together on the ball fields in the community. Rod was also an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting and playing with the little puppy Jordie.
Family meant everything to “Bee” or “The Silver Fox” as he was affectionately known. Rod was a devout member of the St. Stephen Presbyterian Church and served as Elder for many years prior to moving back to Fredericton. He will be remembered for his love of life and family, his generosity and determination with which he fought his many health issues, thus earning the title from his doctors, “one tough old bird”. His only purpose in life was to serve others.
At Rod’s request there will be no visitation or funeral service. Cremation has already taken place.
In remembrance, Rod’s family would encourage and appreciate donations be made to the Minor Baseball Associations in your community.
The arrangements have been entrusted to York Funeral Home, 302 Brookside Drive, Fredericton, NB. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com