
JOHN RUSSELL WAGSTAFF
WAGSTAFF, JOHN RUSSELL - Educator Dies: Dr. John R. Wagstaff, CD, BSc, Bed, Dipl/PGEd, LLD, F.C.C.T., F.C.I.C, CChem, F.R.S.C (UK). The family of Dr. John (Jack) R. Wagstaff regretfully announces his departure from this life, the 24 July 2007 at his cottage in Parrsboro, N.S. During his four weeks of illness he was surrounded by his adoring family: Wife Sally-Anne, daughter Wendy with husband Dr. Frank Lo; son Major J.D. Wagstaff with wife Kathy. All of his grandchildren joined "Bumpy" in laughter and shared many memories and stories - Katie, Jennifer & Jamie Lo and Keltie & John Wagstaff; his very special sister-in-law Beverly Baxter; and niece Nancea Greenham & her daughter Paige as well as numerous other relatives and special friends. Dr. Wagstaff was the fourth child of Master Shipbuilder George E. Wagstaff and Adeline J. (Hatfield) Wagstaff. He was predeceased by sisters Barbara Hall, Kathleen MacCallum, and brother Bill Wagstaff. Born in Melrose, Mass, USA, Jack spent all of his formative years on the Bay of Fundy shore at Port Greville, NS where his dad built wooden vessels. Mt. Allison is Dr. Wagstaff's alma mater. From there he moved into the world of education. For 32 years he taught at Saint John High School. He has been a lecturer at UNB Saint John campus since its inception in 1964 having his last classes in April 2007. Dr. Wagstaff served as a Lt Commander with the Royal Canadian Navy reserves spending many summers in Naval pursuits. In this role he served as aide-de-camp with two Lt Govenours of NB; Honourables Wallace Bird and Hedard Robichaud. Amongst his numerous honours and recognitions were: a Shell Fellowship; the George Croskery Memorial Award; the Northern Telecom Science teaching Award; Manufacturing Chemists Assoc High School teaching Award (1st Canadian to receive); and fellowships with the Canadian College of Teachers and the Royal Society of Chemistry in the UK. In 1988 UNBSJ conferred upon him the degree Doctor of Laws in recognition of his many years of exceptional teaching service. A long time member of Saint David's United Church, Jack in recent years served as chair person for the art exhibit and sale of the church's Men's Club. During the past 2 decades he has been a devoted volunteer at the Ottawa House Museum, Parrsboro and the Age of Sail Heritage Centre, Port Greville. Here Jack gave all the artifacts from his father's shipbuilding yard. Interested in preserving the history of the Fundy Shore, he compiled a genealogical record of some 53,000 names of the people of the area. A funeral service will be held at Port Greville United Church at 2 pm Friday 27 Jul followed by a celebration at the FPW fire hall nearby. As well, a memorial service will be held at Saint David's United Church in Rothesay, NB at a later date in Sep TBA. On-line condolences may be sent to jd.wagstaff@ns.sympatico.ca. Donations to the "Age of Sail Heritage Centre" Box 14 Port Greville, NS, B0M 1T0: 902-348-2030 or 348-2060.