Raymond Percy Appleyard- a veteran of the royal navy moved to Chatham, Kent, England where both his parents, Lt. Percy Appleyard MBE and Alice Susan ( Brazier) Appleyard were both stationed in the Royal Navy. Ray followed in their footsteps at the age of 16 years after finishing his scholarship with the Rochester Technical School for boys instead of registering for university he signed on with the navy on January 1 1941. He served on both destroyers and battleships at Scapa flo , then onto the Mediterranean where he was involved in the taking of Naples Italy. Ray also went to Egypt, Cairo and onto Cape Town South Africa before being recalled to Chatham Kent England. Ray became a Petty Officer at the age of 20 when he met his beloved wife Vivienne (Richards) Appleyard in 1945 and was married in 1946,

The navy deployed him to the Isle of Mann to take a radar course, then onto Portland Dorset England where his wife was born in 1927. Shortly after Ray was stationed on the Battleship HMS Anson until 1947 when he purchased his release from the navy as it was decided to head for Canada where they landed in 1949. Again War decided to break out again so in 1950 Ray signed on with Royal Canadian Navy as a Petty Officer 1st Class and was stationed in Victoria BC. Shortly after was transferred to Cornwallis NS and was stationed there until 1954 and back to Victoria till 1959. Then was transferred to Cornwallis until 1961 when Health issues forced his retirement from the Navy.

Ray was offered a position with The Family and Children Services in Amherst NS and after 2 years decided to return to England to further his studies. Ray and his family lived there for 3 years before returning via New Glasgow to Amherst NS where he was well known as a Juvenile Corrections Officer, Family Court Officer and Justice of the Peace from 1966-1984. Ray retired at the age of 60 and soon after saw trips to Florida, England, and Spain for the winters when Ill health appeared again in 2004 and stopped the winter travelling.

On March 10,2011 Raymond died in the Gables Nursing home surrounded by family and will be cremated with his ashes being laid to rest beside his 2 sons Gary ( aged 6 Months) and Wayne ( aged 36 years)in Annapolis NS. There will be a private ceremony to be held with immediate family only at Raymond’s request. He will be sadly missed by his beloved wife Vivienne, daughter Lynn Byers and 5 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Special thanks to the Staff and Volunteers at Gables nursing home for their tireless work and excellent care. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of your choice