Obituary for Capt. Cecil Hugh Lemuel Ritcey
It is with great sadness that the family of the late Capt. Cecil Hugh Lemuel Ritcey, 97, of Riverport announces his passing on Friday, April 12, 2019 at the Veteran’s Unit of the Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital, Lunenburg.
Born in Riverport, he was the son of the late Capt. Lemuel and Maude (Heckman) Ritcey.
Cecil received his earlier education at the Riverport Community School and at the age of 14 he started delivering supplies at his uncle’s store, Ritcey Bros. He started his seagoing career in 1940 with his father aboard the Coaster MV Vanheim and in 1942 he joined the War with the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Marine Section serving until his discharge as Sergeant in December of 1945.
After the War, in 1946 he went to work with Imperial Oil and his Master Mariner’s career would take him all around the world on various Oil Tankers for Imperial Oil retiring in 1978 as Captain of the super tanker, Imperial Ottawa. He returned to shore where Cecil worked as Safety Pollution Inspection Officer from 1978 till 1986.
Active within his community of Riverport, Cecil was a faithful member of Trinity United Church, Rose Bay where he served on the Board of Stewards, sang in the church choir and supported the work of the church. He was a member of the Riverport Board of Trade, Shepherd’s Hill Cemetery Committee, The Riverport Community Centre; Past Noble Grand and member for over 75 years of the Confidence Lodge # 106 of the IOOF, Riverport and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 23, Lunenburg.
Although his life was an active one, he always had time for his family who he cherished greatly and will be sorely missed by so many wonderful friends.
Cecil is survived by his daughter, Karen (Brian) Lowery, Hatchet Lake; sons, Hugh Ritcey, Toronto, Tom (Sherry) Ritcey, Garden Lots, Bert (Jacqueline Malboeuf) Ritcey, Ottawa, step-daughter, Judy (Al) Allen Charlottetown, and step-son, Robert (Anne) Spindler, Halifax, 9 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.
Cecil was predeceased by his first wife, Doris, his 2nd wife, Phyllis, sisters, Evelyn, Melba, Rita, Mona, brother, Maxwell and grand-daughter, Patty.
Friends are invited to share their memories of Cecil with his family on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy. # 3, Lunenburg and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 23 will hold a legion tribute at 6:45 prior to visitation. Funeral Service to celebrate Cecil’s life will be held Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity United Church, Rose Bay, Rev. Heather Ferrier, officiating. Interment will be in Shepherd’s Hill Cemetery, Riverport.
Flowers from the immediate family only, memorial donations may be made to Trinity United Church, the Riverport Community Centre or to the Veteran’s Unit of the Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital, Lunenburg.
The family would like to thank the Doctors, Nurses and all the staff at the Veteran’s Unit, Lunenburg for their compassionate care of Cecil while he was a resident at the Veteran’s Unit
.
www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca
Born in Riverport, he was the son of the late Capt. Lemuel and Maude (Heckman) Ritcey.
Cecil received his earlier education at the Riverport Community School and at the age of 14 he started delivering supplies at his uncle’s store, Ritcey Bros. He started his seagoing career in 1940 with his father aboard the Coaster MV Vanheim and in 1942 he joined the War with the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Marine Section serving until his discharge as Sergeant in December of 1945.
After the War, in 1946 he went to work with Imperial Oil and his Master Mariner’s career would take him all around the world on various Oil Tankers for Imperial Oil retiring in 1978 as Captain of the super tanker, Imperial Ottawa. He returned to shore where Cecil worked as Safety Pollution Inspection Officer from 1978 till 1986.
Active within his community of Riverport, Cecil was a faithful member of Trinity United Church, Rose Bay where he served on the Board of Stewards, sang in the church choir and supported the work of the church. He was a member of the Riverport Board of Trade, Shepherd’s Hill Cemetery Committee, The Riverport Community Centre; Past Noble Grand and member for over 75 years of the Confidence Lodge # 106 of the IOOF, Riverport and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 23, Lunenburg.
Although his life was an active one, he always had time for his family who he cherished greatly and will be sorely missed by so many wonderful friends.
Cecil is survived by his daughter, Karen (Brian) Lowery, Hatchet Lake; sons, Hugh Ritcey, Toronto, Tom (Sherry) Ritcey, Garden Lots, Bert (Jacqueline Malboeuf) Ritcey, Ottawa, step-daughter, Judy (Al) Allen Charlottetown, and step-son, Robert (Anne) Spindler, Halifax, 9 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.
Cecil was predeceased by his first wife, Doris, his 2nd wife, Phyllis, sisters, Evelyn, Melba, Rita, Mona, brother, Maxwell and grand-daughter, Patty.
Friends are invited to share their memories of Cecil with his family on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy. # 3, Lunenburg and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 23 will hold a legion tribute at 6:45 prior to visitation. Funeral Service to celebrate Cecil’s life will be held Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity United Church, Rose Bay, Rev. Heather Ferrier, officiating. Interment will be in Shepherd’s Hill Cemetery, Riverport.
Flowers from the immediate family only, memorial donations may be made to Trinity United Church, the Riverport Community Centre or to the Veteran’s Unit of the Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital, Lunenburg.
The family would like to thank the Doctors, Nurses and all the staff at the Veteran’s Unit, Lunenburg for their compassionate care of Cecil while he was a resident at the Veteran’s Unit
.
www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca