Obituary of Cecil N. Reatherford

REATHERFORD, Cecil N. – Born 25 July, 1913. Passed away peacefully, age of 99 7/12, on March 7, 2013, at the Charlotte Englehart Hospital, Continuing Care facility, Petrolia. Predeceased by his beloved wife, Louise (nee Elias) in 2005, and son, Paul in 1993. Survived by a loving daughter, Ann, and several nieces and nephews. Born in Calgary, Alberta, Cecil grew up on the home farm near Wiseton, Saskatchewan. His general education included attending the local public school, high school (through Saskatchewan correspondence courses) and a year at the Moose Jaw Technical School. He obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical and Radio Engineering at Tri-State (now Trine) University in Angola, Indiana in 1939. He began work at Electric Auto-Lite in August of 1939 as Plant Product Engineer and retired in 1975 as President of its successor, The Prestolite Company, a Division of Eltra Corporation of Canada. He then accepted a position with Wirtz Manufacturing Co. of Port Huron, Michigan, in sales and marketing, retiring in 1982. Cecil was raised with a sense of community responsibility and as a result was active in many local activities including: member of the Rotary Club of Sarnia (Paul Harris Fellow); active member of Central United Church; Scout Cub Master (serving a term as Sarnia District Scout Commissioner); member of the Sarnia Community Foundation; member Advisory Board, St. Joseph’s Hospital; President of the Sarnia and District Chamber of Commerce (1967); member of the Sarnia Artists’ Workshop; member of the Sarnia Photographic Club; and member of Midas Investment Club. Cec was a member of the Sarnia Golf and Curling Club for many years and was an ardent curler and golfer. He was a keen photographer from a young age. He and Louise traveled quite extensively in Canada, the United States and abroad, and developed several slide shows which they shared with many in the community. Following retirement, wood turning was a favorite hobby. He enjoyed displaying and talking about wood turning at Art and Craft shows. Many thanks to Dr. John Butler and the staff of the Central Lambton Family Health Team, and to the staff of Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital, Petrolia. Words cannot possibly express my deepest sincere appreciation to all these people for their kindness and compassion. Private burial has taken place at Lakeview Cemetery, Sarnia. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 519-344-3131. A celebration of Cecil’s long and productive life will be held at a later date. For those wishing to make a donation in Cec’s name, please consider the Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital Foundation, 450 Blanche St., Petrolia, ON N0N 1R0. Messages of condolence & memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com A tree will be planted in memory of Cecil Reatherford in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 15th, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area