EUGENE “GENE” RALPH MCPHEE McPhee, Eugene “Gene” Ralph, 75, of Smith Creek passed away surrounded by his loving family on December 17, 2016 at the Sussex Health Centre. Born in Penobsquis on August 2, 1941, he was the son of the late H. Thomas and Irena (nee Colpitts) McPhee. Gene attended school until the eighth grade, then he continued going on to work different jobs: from working in the woods, to road crew work, to assisting with the new highway construction from Moncton to Sussex, to driving a backhoe for 14 years. Gene married Ruth Alward on March 10, 1962, and they went on to have 7 children. He loved to have family and friends gather at the house for music and square-dancing, watching Western shows on the T.V., hunting, and fishing for Gaspereau, sharing stories of his past adventures (legal or not) with family and friends, but most of all he loved entertaining the wildlife a distance from the camp for Ruthie to watch. Gene will be truly missed by his 3 daughters: Penny (Rick) of Penobsquis, Lynn (Brett) of Grand Cache, AB, and Tammy (Donnie) of Trenton, ON; his 3 sons: Chris (Lynn) of Anagance, Tracy (Theresa) of Jeffries Corner, and Kirk (Monique) of New Line; his 12 grandchildren: Shawn Kelly (Savannah), Trevor Kelly, Cody McPhee (Allura), Lacey Diotte (Brad), Jeffrey Beach (Michelle), Matthew Beach, Brittany McPhee (Matt), Makayla McPhee, Amanda Brison (Justin) and Justin Good, Selena McPhee, and Chase McLean; his 6 great-grandchildren: Luke & Kori, Avarie, Madison & Chase, and Finley; his siblings: Phyllis Jones (Bob), Barb Sears (late Cyril), Elva Greer (late Winston), Randy McPhee (Madeline), and Hun Folkins (Bill); his sisters-in-law: Joyce McPhee and Mary McPhee. Besides his parents, Gene was predeceased by his wife Ruth McPhee (nee Alward), his infant son Jeffrey, his infant great-grandson Jamhall, and his brothers: Gerald (in infancy), Howe, Clement, Emery, and Donnie. Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of Sussex Select Community Funeral Home, 21 Aiton Rd., Sussex (506-433-2133). As per Gene’s request, no visitation or funeral service will be held; a private graveside service will be held at a later date. Donations to Christmas Daddies (Christmas was Gene’s favourite time of year) would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences are available at: www.sussexfh.com The Love Knot I do believe that the God above, created you for me to love. He picked you out from all the rest, because he knew I loved you the best. I once had a heart so brave & true, and now it’s gone from me to you. So you take care of it as I would have done, for you have two and I have none. If I get to Heaven and you’re not there, I’ll paint your face on the Golden Stairs. So all the angels above will see, just how much you mean to me. If you’re not there on judgement day, I’ll give the angels back their wings. And just to prove that my love is true, I’d go to hell to be with you.