Staff Sergeant Abe 'Bram' Townsend
Born In: Sydney
Born: July 6th, 1960
Passed in: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Passed on: November 29th, 2015
Staff Sergeant Abe 'Bram' Townsend was born in Sydney, N.S. on July 6, 1960, and unexpectedly passed away on Nov. 29, 2015 in Toronto, Ont.
Abe was predeceased by his father, Thomas Churnley Townsend in 1986.
Abe is survived by his loving wife, Lynn Langrock; their sons, Max and Jacob of Toronto; his mother, Virginia (Hashem) Townsend of Sydney and brother, Tommy (Marilyn) of Bible Hill. Abe also spent considerable time throughout his years with his aunt Frankie and uncle Alex MacKinnon of Truro as well as his cousins, Sandra (Dr. Charlie Butts), Keith (Moya) and Blair. Abe is also survived by aunt Josephine Hogan of Peterborough, aunt Theresa of Boston, and his nephews, Christopher, Michael and Ian.
Abe joined the RCMP in Sydney on Oct. 14, 1980. After graduating from Recruit Training in Regina, Abe was posted in May of 1981 to St. John’s Drug Section, Newfoundland and Labrador. He was also posted in Baie Verte, Hopedale, Stephenville, Bonavista and Grand Falls before accepting a transfer to Frobisher Bay in 1990 and later Inuvik in the Northwest Territories. In 1997, Abe was transferred to Chester, N. S., followed by Cole Harbour, Halifax Major Crime, and was the NCO in charge of Yarmouth Rural and Town detachments. In 2004, S/Sgt. Townsend became a Divisional Staff Relations Representative (DSRR) and became its national executive in 2010 where he has since devoted his career. Abe has been the face of the Staff Relations Representative Program, dedicating his time and energies to representing the 23,000 members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. His robust, hearty laugh, tireless energy, as well as his ethical, passionate and principled approach will be sorely missed by all who knew him. S/Sgt. Townsend was the recipient of both the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals as well as two Commissioner’s Commendations and had completed 35 years of service in the RCMP as of Oct. 2015. With a natural affection for everyone that he met, no one remained a stranger for long. Abe was very active in the communities where he was posted with public service organization and minor hockey programs. Abe was most proud of the work that he did, and the friends that he made during his time volunteering with the Fall River Minor Football Association. While he and his family made each of the communities in the several provinces they lived home - it was the family cottage in Nova Scotia that he looked forward to returning to every summer.
Abe’s family will be accepting visitors on Friday Dec. 4th from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro, N.S. A funeral mass will take place on the same day 4 p.m. in Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, 669 Prince St., Truro, Fr. Bill Burke presiding. A reception at Campbell Hall located within the church will immediately follow the service with interment to follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, Abe’s family suggest donations in his name to the Member Benefit Fund or the charity of your choosing.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro, N.S.
Online messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www. ColchesterCommunity.com.
