Obituary of Dale Sharp
After a courageous four-year battle with cancer, Merril "Dale" Sharp passed away peacefully at the Sussex Health Centre on December 31, 2025, with his loving daughters by his side.
Born on May 27, 1938, in Pinder, York County, New Brunswick, Dale was the son of the late William and Eva (Dove) Sharp.
Dale was a kind and generous man who always put others first. He had a natural desire to help, to create, and to make life better for those around him. A man of his word, Dale could always be counted on. He wanted the people he loved to have everything they needed and encouraged them to never give up on their dreams and achievements.
He cherished time spent at his camp in Waterville and loved to travel—especially to Largo, Florida and Las Vegas —he and Dena made many lifelong friends throughout Canada and the United States, glued together by morning coffee clubs at McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts. A proud husband, dad, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Dale took immense pride in his family’s accomplishments, values, and work ethic. He especially loved watching his grandsons play football, basketball and hockey, treasuring every moment spent with them.
Dale was a hard worker - his first job was peeling bark off trees (spuding) with his uncle Artie. He was paid 5 cents a tree and did 90 to 100 trees a day. He spent his adult working career as a manager for the Bank of Montreal and then as a manager for Brunswick Labs Ltd. He had a superb work ethic to get things done and the job wasn't done until it was done right. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, hunting, ATVing, fiddleheading, working around the camp, had a career in picture frame building and lamp selling that saw many summers at the Sussex Flea Market, and lots of time spent in his workshop and garage (he was a self-proclaimed “hickey rig” inventor, which was extremely helpful in the production of life-saving cabinets for Be Ready Health Care Inc.). Over the years, his bookkeeping skills were a critical role in many local and family businesses. He loved poker games with his buddies and the occasional trip to the casino (with a budget, of course). Family gatherings were close to his heart, always filled with laughter, good food, and lasting memories. In his later years, Dale loved his day time routine of gardening vegetables in the back yard (potatoes in particular, true to his York County roots) and his evening routine of enjoying a glass of Northern Comfort and responding to emails from his friends across North America. Over the last few years, he had to use his scooter to get around as he persevered to get things done, which led to lots of fun with his friend and scooter buddy, Neil.
He was deeply committed to his community and gave generously of his time through volunteer work. Dale served as a director with Fundy Development and as treasurer for Potacan Vitos Senior Hockey Team, the Charlottetown Lions Club, the Sussex Lions Club, St. Paul’s United Church, the Sussex Gyro Club, and the Sussex Chamber of Commerce.
He will be forever missed by his devoted wife and adventure partner of 66 years, Eldena (Bragdon) Sharp, who he’d been chasing since their time at Southampton High School; his adored daughters: Kelly Dunfield (John) of Sussex and Tammy Norrad (Peter) of Sussex Corner; his pride & joy grandchildren: Robert Dunfield, Brett Norrad (Brittany), Ryan Dunfield (Cecilia Giermindl), and Marcus Norrad; and his cherished great-grandchildren, Brooks and Briar Norrad.
He is also survived by his brother, Billy Sharp (Linda) of Fredericton; fondly remembered by his sister-in-law, Mary Breau of Oromocto; and his brother-in-law, Howie Bragdon of Nackawic. Dale is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins who he loved very much.
Along with his parents, Dale was predeceased by his sisters Arlene (Jerry) Goguen, Joan (Basil) Hawkins, and Norma Sharp Theriault; his parents-in-law Olga and Lyman Bragdon; his brother-in-law James Breau; and his sisters-in-law Dorothy (Jerry) Wright and Sadie (John) MacFarlane.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex. A celebration of Dale’s life will take place at the Kiwanis Nursing Home Heritage Room, 11 Bryant Drive, Sussex, on Saturday, January 10th, at 1:00 p.m for all who are interested in attending. A time for refreshments and socializing will follow from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. for anyone able to stay or drop-in.
In memory of Dale and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sussex Health Centre Foundation – CT Scan Campaign (Sussex), Multiple Myeloma Society of New Brunswick, Sussex and Area Community Foundation, or Nursing Home Without Walls (Sussex). Donations and personal condolences may be made through WallaceFuneralHome.com.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Reiman and the Horizon Oncology Team, the Sussex IV Day Hospital, the Extramural Sussex Team, the Sussex Health Centre Emergency Department, and the entire East Wing team, as well as all of the staff at the Sussex Health Centre, for their exceptional care, compassion, and dedication.
Special thanks are also extended to Dr. Gilmore, Dr. Ellingwood, Dr. O’Neill, Dr. Harniman, Dr. Cormier, Wanda O’Donnell, the Sussex PharmaChoice Team, Elizabeth Collings and Nursing Home Without Walls (along with team at the Kiwanis Nursing Home), Neil Koeslag, Jeanette Cosman, and Sarah Baldwin-Stevens and the staff of Wallace Funeral Home. Your kindness, support, and compassion brought comfort during a difficult time and will never be forgotten. Finally, the family would like to thank all family and friends who supported Dale and his family over the years, especially during difficult and challenging health journeys.
Dale believed in making the most of life and doing the things that are on your bucket list; he often reminded those who visited to do just that, “Do the things you want to do, go on the trips you want to go on, and eat the food you enjoy while your health allows you to. Life is special and it can change when you least expect it."
Sussex Health Centre - CT Scan (E-Transfer): sussexhealthcentrefoundation@gmail.com
Sussex and Area Community Foundation: sacfi.org
Multiple Myeloma NB: myeloma.ca
Nursing Homes Without Walls: https://kiwanisnursinghome.com/ways-to-give
