Obituary of Cecil Kilpatrick

The family of Cecil Kilpatrick announces his passing on Monday, December 3, 2018 at the Kiwanis Nursing Home in Sussex.

Born in Upham in 1926 to Burpee and Edith (Beatty) Kilpatrick, the youngest and last surviving of 12 children.  Cecil is survived by his wife of 65 years Kay (Kelly), his children Dale (Cathy) of Saint John; Pamela of Cambridge, NS; Michael (Karla) of Penobsquis; Diane (Rick Nash) of Hanwell; his sister-in-law, Libby Nash of Sussex; 10 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Cecil was pre-deceased by his sisters; Freda Crawford, Nettie Kilpatrick, Dora Lawday, Muriel Steele, Hilda Goodwin, Bertha Lane, Mary Wagner and Etha “Ginger” Duke and his brothers; Clarence Kilpatrick, Joe Kilpatrick and Fred Kilpatrick.

Cecil grew up on the family farm in Upham. He would have us all in stitches recounting stories, hardly able to get the words out himself as he laughed at the memory of their antics. As the youngest, he was roped into things and got into mischief, mostly with his brothers Fred and Joe. 

As a young teenager, he was put to work in Uncle Charlie Beatty’s woods camp cookhouse.  Here he began to hone his cooking and baking skills.  Oh how his grandchildren loved to come visit and eat the donuts Grampie/Papa had baked – or his stew, chili, chowder, biscuits or really anything he decided he was going to create.

As with many of his generation, Cecil finished school in grade 10. He did carpentry work with Walter Lutes in Sussex before heading off to Hamilton, Ont. where he found work at the Stelco steel mill.  He progressed quickly from sweeping the floors to foreman.  It was in Hamilton he found the love of his life, Kathleen (Kay) Kelly and they married on September 19, 1953.  Nine years and 3 children (Dale, Pam, then Mike) later, they moved back to Sussex Corner where Cecil and his brother Fred built and operated the Corner Bowl for a number of years, also taking turns driving a school bus.  During that time Cecil & Kay’s youngest Diane – the “pleasant surprise” Kay always said – arrived, 9 years after her closest brother, the only red-head of the bunch. 

Early in the 1970s, Cecil left the bowling lanes and operated the Esso Service Station at the corner of Main/Maple/Broad Street.   He later worked at Glendale Homes, and with the Provincial Assessment Department.  Lastly, he joined Central Guarantee Trust as a real estate agent, forced to retire in 1989 under doctor’s orders after 2 heart attacks.

Cecil was a long-time member of the Kiwanis Club in Sussex, serving as president, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Nursing Home, and administrator of Kings Manor where he was dearly loved by all the female tenants – he was always quite a charmer!  Cecil was well-known for his barbeque skills, spending many weekends cooking chicken and even barbequing for Prince Andrew when he visited the Town.  He loved to play cards – particularly crib and 45s - and spend time at the camp on Grand Lake with his family.  Although he never took a lesson, he was a skilled musician and could sit down and play the piano, fiddle, accordion, mouth organ, gut bucket, spoons, washboard – he did love a good party!

Cecil was well liked and respected by all he encountered through his many work endeavours.  He believed in honest work, good customer service, and always enjoyed a good laugh – even if it was at his own expense.  He was fiercely proud of all his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and loved to talk about them to anyone who would listen. He had a beautiful smile and an infectious laugh, and will be forever loved. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wallace Funeral Home (506-433-1176), 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, NB.  A funeral service will be held from St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Sussex Corner on Thursday December 6th, 2018 at 2:00 pm.  Interment will be in Trinity Cemetery in the springtime.

A time of fellowship with the family will follow the funeral service, in the church hall.

Donations in memory of Cecil may be made to the Kiwanis Nursing Home, St. Mark’s Anglican Church Building Fund or to a charity of your choice.  Condolences to the family and donations may be made through WallaceFuneralHome.com