Clayton Ridgway passed away peacefully on June 4th, 2010 at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre after a brief illness. He was 76 years old. Clayton was born in Boston, Massachusetts and grew up in West Roxbury until the age of 8 when he immigrated with his father, Ward Ridgway to his grandparents (John & Daisy Ridgway) turkey farm in Northport, Nova Scotia.
Besides working on the family farm, he spent his early career as a lobster fisherman and the remainder of his working career as a pipe fitter and crane operator at Robb Engineering in Amherst, Nova Scotia. He enjoyed socializing, singing and playing music with his friends and played several instruments. He also enjoyed telling jokes and stories and was particularly fond of the works of the poet Robert Service.
He is survived by his son, Steve Ridgway; his daughters Kathy (Jeff Hubbard) of Amherst and Wendy Smiley (Mark Dentith) of Northport and three grandchildren, Derrick (Ashley) of Nanaimo, B,C,, Stefanie of Halifax and Corey (Canadian Armed Forces) of Victoria, B.C. and several cousins in Massachusetts.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 2pm at the Amherst Branch #10 of the Royal Canadian Legion on LaPlanche St. Refreshments and fellowship will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Amherst Legion Branch #10 or the Northport Marina Project. A private burial service will be held by the family at a later date.