BILLINGSLEY, RALPH - Ralph Billingsley passed away on October 1st, 2012 at the age of 93. Prior to his retirement, Ralph was employed for over 40 years with the C.N.R. Ralph was born in New Carlisle, QC., the son of May (Lemore) and John Billingsley. He leaves to mourn his wife Viola (MacDonald) Billingsley, sons Gary (Margot) of Fredericton, Jack (Kelly) of Toronto, and daughter Susan (Reginald) Chedore of Campbellton. He also leaves his grandchildren Tanya (Charles) Geraghty, Alex (Heather) Billingsley, Lydia (Nick) Billingsley, Meghan Billingsley and Kathryn Billingsley and great-grandchildren Hannah and Noah Geraghty and Jasper and Sage Billingsley, sister Inez Chase of Saint John and brother Maxwell Billingsley of Miramichi, as well as many nieces and nephews. Ralph was an avid fisherman, fly tyer and Restigouche River enthusiast. In 1958 he started tying flies and went on to become one of the best-known commercial hair-wing tyers in Canada. In 1994, Ralph became a member of "Where the Rivers Meet", The Fly Tyers of N.B. In 1996 the Atlantic Salmon Journal recognized Ralph for his contribution to fly tying in NB and as the originator of the "Orange Blossom Special". In 1997 at the Annual Atlantic Salmon Federation / N.B. Salmon Council Dinner, Ralph was honoured for his major contribution to the sport of angling for Atlantic Salmon in N.B. by having distinguished himself in the art of Crafting and Designing Atlantic Salmon flies. Apart from being a skilled fly tyer and angler, he was also an accomplished rod maker, having made over 400 rods. For over thirty-five years, Ralph was a freelance guide on the rivers of NB and QC.
A graveside service was held on Thursday, October 4th at the Campbellton Rural Cemetery.