Westville – Ralph Robert Whittier, 84, Drummond Road, Westville, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008 in the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow. Born in Littleville, Mass., he was a son of the late George Clayton and Lillian (Giles) Whittier. Ralph moved to Nova Scotia at an early age and learned the carpentry trade with his father in Berwick. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy as a shipwright during the Second World War. After the war he worked as a pattern maker helper at Sydney Steel at the Sydney Steel Plant. He joined the staff of Alsco Aluminum as plant manager and later moved to Halifax to work with Regent Aluminum as production manager. In 1961, he moved to New Glasgow to work with Eastern Woodworkers as factory superintendent. For many years he worked as a self-employed carpenter until ill-health forced his retirement. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Naval Association, Admiral Murray Branch, and a member of the Stellarton First Presbyterian Church and Men’s Club. He will be dearly missed by daughters Joan Cheeseman (Pat), N.L.; Judy Garland (Paul), Westville; son Bob Whittier, Shad Bay; step-daughters Sheila Allan (Greg), Truro; Dawn Watters (Bill), Westville; step-sons Barry Sponagle (Diane), Westville; Glenn Sponagle (Susan), Stellarton; grandchildren Mark and Debbie Cheeseman, Dianne Trickett; Melissa and Joey Forsythe and Jason Garland; Robby and Ryan Whittier; Heather Allan-Fraser and Brian Allan; Jeff and Mitchell Watters; Shannon Sponagle-Jarvis, Shane Sponagle, Michelle Angst, and Christopher Sponagle; Holly and Matthew Sponagle; and nine great-grandchildren; special niece Donalda Davidson, Antigonish. He is also survived by a sister Ruth D’Angelo, Georgia; and brothers, Harold (Helen), Halifax and Murray Wentzell (Lorraine), Ontario. He was predeceased by his first wife Irene (Cooper) and second wife Dorothy (Giffin) Sponagle, son-in-law Joe Forsythe, sister Virginia Davidson and brother Millard. Cremation has taken place. Visitations will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Wednesday at Eagles Funeral Home, Westville. His memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday from the First Presbyterian Church, Stellarton with Rev. Charles MacPherson officiating. Interment will be in Lorne Street Cemetery, New Glasgow. The RCNA, will conduct a service at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home. Family flowers only. Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 5526 South Street, Suite 1, Halifax, B3H 1S6 or the Palliative Care Society, 835 East River Road, New Glasgow, B2H 3S6.