Obituary of Reginald Elwood O'Dell
Mr. Reginald Elwood O'Dell was born in Hammondvale on November 20, 1922 to Wilbert and Elizabeth (Wood) O'Dell.
He attended school in Hammondvale, securing his first job at 14 yarding logs for Wilford McCardy and working with Harry Buchanan. He then went on to work the Green chain for approximately 2 years for 5 dollars a day at the Point Wolf Alma Saw Mill. While working in Alma, Reg met Mary, the cook's helper.
On March 15, 1945, Reg married the love of his life, Mary; not knowing that 64 years to the day, she would be called home.
In 1947, they moved to Hammondvale and Reg went to work for Orland McDonald in the woods for $4.00 a day. In the Late 1940’s, he worked for a logging company that floated pulp down the river in the winter by teams of horses. Some of the places included: Walton Dam, Mass Brau, Salmon River, Skouls Dam, and East Brand Falls.
After 1950, while working with Pejobscott cutting pulp; he took contracts with his own men. He also operated a bulldozer building and plowing roads. In the early 1960's, Reg had his own company cutting and hauling pulp. While Mary did the books, various others worked for him cutting and hauling: his nephew, Stewart; his son-in-law, Cedric; Doug DeVine, Joe Alward, Bob Alward and Henry Young to name a few.
Later on in the 1960's, Reg became the owner operator-contractor for the goverment; sanding roads with Joe McMackin and Edward McGouey, where they had to shovel sand off the back of the truck. In the summer, he would haul gravel to repair and build roads.
When he left his goverment job, he hauled pulp and gravel and did various jobs operating his own truck and Bulldozer until 1981. He then became the Caretaker at Walton Lake. In 1986, he attempted retirement, realizing he wasn't old enough yet, he had to work another year. During his caretaker years, he was lucky enough to see his granddaughter, Valerie married there; as well as several family reunions.
All the years that he worked, he was always doing something between jobs; whether it was on different farms or just various jobs in the area.
Reg was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Sussex Branch #20; where he attended many functions and dances with his wife, Mary.
Reg and Mary were a very busy couple; whether it was raising their four daughters, working various jobs, attending the legion or just finding the time to love one another.
On March 15, 2016 at the age of 93; Reginald Elwood O'Dell joined his loving wife, Mary Katherine O'Dell for their anniversary.
Reg will live on in the hearts of his three daughters: Bella McGouey and her husband Greg of South Branch, Marie Proctor and her husband Cedric of Williams Lake, BC, Patricia Floyd and her husband Jerry of Sussex; his son-in-law Ronald Dennis of Penobsquis; his brother-in-law, William Edgett; ten grandchildren: Kathleen Dion and her husband Adam of Ottawa, William Alward of Fort Saint John, BC, Valerie Pigeon and Mike Jubenville of London, ON, Susan Folkins and her husband Joe of Quesnel, BC, Neal DeVine of Hillsdale, Kevin DeVine and his wife Jackie of Hammondvale, Mitchell Scott and Sam Kozakevich of Williams Lake, BC, Matthew Scott and Carissa Dunham of Williams Lake, BC, Melissa Mallory and her husband Mikell of Sussex and Emily of Sussex; twelve great grand children: Tristan, Morgan, Drake, Eric, Amanda (Duncan Gray), Anthony (David Flynn), James, Katelyn, Alexander, Alaina, Erika, Madison; and seven great great grandchildren: Neveah, Elsie, Austin, Gabriella, Milykah, Blaydan and Brochlynde, as well as by several nieces and nephews.
Mr Reginald Eldwood O'Dell of Hammondvale passed away at the Sussex Health Centre on March 15, 2016 at the age of 93. He was predeceased by three brothers, Gilbert, Ora and Emery and by four sisters, Bertha O'Dell, Della Edgett, Verna Cunningham, and Iva Benson and by his daughter Eleanor Dennis.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, (506-433-1176) where visitation will be held on Thursday, March 17 from 1-3 and 6-8pm. The Royal Canadian Legion Sussex Branch #20 will hold a tribute Thursday evening at 5:45.
A service celebrating Reg’s life will be held from Wallace Community Chapel on Friday, March 18, 2016 at 11:00am.
If you are considering making a memorial donation the family has recommended the Palliative Care Unit of the Sussex Health Centre.
www.wallacefuneralhome.com
