HAWKES, RALPH H. - Ralph H. Hawkes, age 76, passed away on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at his home in Hartland. He was born March 31, 1936 and was the son of the late Howard and Leone (Reid) Hawkes. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his wife Patricia Hawkes and stepmother, Doris Hawkes. Ralph is survived by his children, Kathy (John) Trecartin of Hartland, Gayle Barrett of Hartland, Tanya Hawkes of Hartland, Tracey (Kevin) Dunn of Chance Harbour; grandchildren, Matthew (Angie) Harris, Patrick (Natasha) Harris, Lucas (Jennifer) Harris, Kyle Barrett, Mark (Lynn) Polchies, Alex Tompkins, William Tompkins; great-grandchildren, Rielle Harris, Reese Harris, Raya Harris, Claire Polchies; sister, Donna Reid of Moncton; brother, Doug Hawkes of Saint John; sisters-in-law, Marjorie Mizener of Dundas, ON, Wendy Thomas of Halifax, NS; special buddy, Harry DeLong; nieces and nephews.
Ralph moved his family to Hartland in September of 1969 because of encouragement and job offers from Joe Palmer and the McCain brothers. He instantly fell in love with the community of Hartland. He felt at home. The same feeling he had when he was in Albert County with his Hawkes. Immediately, Ralph joined the Lions Club and became involved in Minor Hockey, then baseball. He coached for 40+ years from Pee-Wee to Senior. He was involved in EVERY community project during his life in Hartland. He played an important part in everything from the installation of artificial ice, to preventing the High School from being moved out of town in the 70's, to the building of the Courtyard after the town burned in the 80's, and certainly wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty working beside his friends and neighbours during the building of the golf course. Ralph unconditionally loved his biological family as well as his chosen family. He loved the youth. He believed in working hard as well as playing hard. He owned many businesses during the course of his life such as Hawkes - Bolster and Brunswick Bottling (Coca-Cola) where he fought and broke a powerful union. He spoke his mind and did not believe in talking behind anyone's back. Above all else, among his friends, family, and business associates as well as personal associates, honesty was the most important thing to him. He lived by this rule, and expected those around him to live by it also.
Resting at the Covered Bridge Golf and Country Club in Simonds with visiting hours on Sunday, May 20th from 4 to 8 pm and Monday, May 21st from 12:00 to 1:30 pm. At 1:45 p.m on Monday a Masonic service will be held at the clubhouse prior to the 2 pm funeral. Rev. SungMin Jung and Rev. Maynard Rector will be officiating. Following the service there will be a reception at the clubhouse. A private family burial will take place in the Greenwood Cemetery in Hartland at a later time. If so desired, donations can be made to the Hartland Arena Library Fund. www.brittonfh.ca