We regret to advise of the death of Captain Ralph Ellenwood Eyre (Ret'd) on 8 November 2007, at his home in Quispamsis, NB at the age of 90.
Born in Red Deer, AB, Ralph was raised on a farm in Yarmouth, NS and joined the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1937. He served in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. The highlight of his military career was the three years he spent in the Yukon managing engineering transportation on the Alaska Highway.
Ralph retired in 1964 as Captain, commanding 3 Engineer Stores Depot in Petawawa, ON. Upon retirement he returned to Central Chebogue and resumed the farm life. He firmly re-established his rural Nova Scotian roots, at various times serving as municipal fence viewer, municipal sheep evaluator and the sheriff of Central Chebogue. He also served on the board of the th'YARC theatre, the CNIB and the Western Nova Scotia Exhibition. He is perhaps best-known for his whimsical; and charming folk art - the hundreds of polished sculpted bird shapes mounted on natural driftwood bases that he produced yearly and which he was making up to the time of his death.
A memorial service was held in Sweeny's Funeral Home, Yarmouth, on 14 November. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind or the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. There will be a private family interment at a later date.