Austin Ward Patriquin, 88, of Wentworth, Cumberland County, N.S., passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, in Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, surrounded by those who loved him. Austin was born on Jan. 6, 1923, to parents Ellsworth and Edith (Patriquin) Patriquin of Greenville, Cumberland Co., the second of 12 children. He began working at an early age in the woods and then, for a time, in the Springhill Coal Mines. He eventually returned to logging, first using horses and then machinery as he developed a successful forestry and trucking business. He was one of the early and long serving contractors for the Scott Paper Co. and its subsequent owners. He also farmed and operated gravel trucks, doing highway work for many years. Austin was an active member of his church and community and awarded a Volunteer of the Year medal in 2007 by former Premier Rodney MacDonald in recognition of his service. He was married in 1943 to the former Doris Lorimer and together they raised six children. After her death in 1989, Austin and his present loving wife, Claire (Dyke) were married in Prince Edward Island in 1992 and have happily shared the last 20 years together. He was a lover of nature and of working in his blueberry fields and spent countless hours enjoying country and old-time music and dancing. He was predeceased by his first wife, Doris; daughter, Karen Lynn; brothers, Loran and Gerald; grandson, Trevor Brown. He is survived by his loving wife, Claire; children, Larry (Carolyn), Marion (Wes), Brenda (Carmen), Bonnie, Arlene (Philip) and Dawn (Ken); grandchildren, Robbie, Steven, Dwayne, Danielle, Hayley, Jamie, Keighl, and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving are stepchildren, Debra (Bill) Leuty, Barbara MacInnis and David (Russlyn) Dyke, and step-grandchildren, Tim and Diane MacInnis; sisters, Sally Coulter, Pearl Crowley, Jean Mooring; brothers, Hilton, Joe, Glen, Charles, Wesley, Lyall, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate care of MacDiarmid's Funeral Home, 5075 Main Street, Oxford (447-2930). Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Saturday, Sept. 3, from 6-9 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, Sept. 4, at 2 p.m. at the Wentworth United Church. Reception to follow in the church hall. Memorial donations may be made to the L.A. Animal Shelter or the Wentworth United Church Cemetery Fund. Family flowers only please. Online condolences at www.mmcfunerals.com

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