Offie Garfield "Ottie, Otto, Orfie" Ryan 99, of Wolfville passed away June 18, 2010 at Shoreham Village, Chester; where he had been a resident for the last 2.5 years. He was born in Berry Mills, NB on May 15th, 1911. He was the son of the late Robert Kames and Ida May (Ritchie) Ryan. Offie lived in Corn Hill and attended school in Havelock. He worked at various jobs until he joined the Army in 1938. He learned his 2 trades, cooking and shoe making while serving his country at home and as sergeant he helped train soldiers for overseas. While at Camp Aldershot he met his wife to be, Margaret Hattie Spinney (1918 - 1973) of Canning. From 1945 until 1955 they lived in Annapolis Royal where they raised their 3 sons; Lawrence Garfield (Jean) Taylor, Kenneth Arthur (Dianne) Doucet, and Robert James (Anne Marie) O'Beirne. There Offie ran a shoe repair shop and dry goods store and belonged to the Masons and the Baptist Church. From 1956 - 1958 he worked for the DAR railway in Kentville. From 1959 - 1961 Offie was a special diet chef in the hospital at Greenwood Air Base and built his first house in Kingston. He then moved to Wolfville to cook at Acadia University to allow his sons to attend university. While in Wolfville, Offie also built nine houses and sold Colonial homes in his spare time. Always willing to help he was made an honorary member of Wolfville's Baptist Boy's Club. He retired in 1976. Offie loved to socialize and share a familiar story with family and friends. He would often say one of his local expressions such was "a son of a who cut his hair" or "there is always something to keep the rabbits tail short". He was proud of and devoted to his family. Besides his sons he is survived by his grandchildren; Lorrie (Duane) Ryan Scott, Emily (David) Ryan Hovell, Amy, Samuel, Fiona, Kerrianne and Erin Ryan; great-grandchildren; Logan and Connor Scott, and Taylor Hovell, and sister-in-law Jessie (Chestley) Ryan in Petitcodiac, NB. Offie spent his last years living with his son Ken and later Larry still loving to play cards and socialize with family and friends. Known for his determination and willingness to try anything Offie will be sorrowfully missed.
A memorial gathering took place at H.C. Lindsay Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Kentville at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, June 30th. A few words of farewell will be given at 7 pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Hillaton Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care and direction of H.C. Lindsay Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 5 Leverett Avenue, Kentville, NS, B4N 2K5. Cards of sympathy may be sent to this address or on-line at: www.lindsayfuneralhome.ca