"Jack" John Archibald Ruggles

Born in the family home in Weymouth North, he was the son of the late Leslie and Marie

(MacEachern) Ruggles and he was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was the husband of 42 years to his beloved wife, Barbara (Frost) Ruggles, until her passing in April, 2000.

He served in the RCAF/CAS for 25 years as an Airframe Technician and flew with Search and Rescue for a number of years, retiring with the rank of Sergeant. Throughout these years he had postings in Greenwood, Nova Scotia; Nottingham, England; Trenton, Ontario and Summerside, PEI. He spoke of these years always with a smile. Following his military career, the family moved back to “the house” in Weymouth North where he started a second career as a butcher in the villages of Bear River and Weymouth, where he was well known and respected in those communities.

He was known as Jack to most and “Jackie”, “Pete” and “Percy” to those closest to him. His favorite names though, were Dad and Grampy. He was a loving success in both of those roles, was a constant and dependable presence, leaving his family with countless fond memories and stories to tell. He loved children and children loved him. He logged many miles transporting his grandkids around the yard in his old wooden wheelbarrow.

He travelled to several memorable places over his life, both for work and pleasure, and loved a good road trip. He enjoyed travelling to Hamilton and Whitby, Ontario to visit with Jim and his family and to Trenton, Ontario to visit with Dawn and her family. Most of his miles however, were travelled making his daily rounds to town and “around the road” to the wharf, making sure everything was as it should be or perhaps to buy a KitKat or two.

He loved having a house full of family to share meals in the dining room. He enjoyed it even more if there was lobster, clams, scallops and cold beer involved. He enjoyed his sunporch and he spent countless hours sitting and looking down over the grove, sometimes lucky enough to be visited by the deer or just simply having an afternoon siesta.

He was an avid gardener with substantial vegetable gardens, flowers and various fruit trees around the home and was especially proud of his rose bushes and peach trees. He took great pride in maintaining his beautiful property and could be seen on his mower most every day from spring until fall. He would often break out in a toe tapping, knee slapping song, sometimes with known lyrics, other times made up, with the occasional yodel thrown in, but always with the intention to bring a smile or a giggle. Children, especially, loved this.

He is survived by his three daughters, Dawn (Mike) Johnston, Trenton, Ontario; Becky

(Charlie) White, Ashmore, Nova Scotia; Karen Ruggles, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and his son Jimmy (Janice (nee) Bishop) Ruggles, Whitby, Ontario; his grandchildren, Vickie (White) Saulnier (Adrian Jones), Ian White (Kim), Greg White (Danielle), Josh Johnston (Maggie), Justin Johnston, Georgia Ruggles and Sam Ruggles (Summer); great grandchildren, Bdr. Ethan Saulnier (Kendra), Avery Saulnier (Haylee), Madeleine Jones, Zander White, Arthur and Winifred Johnston; one great great grandchild, Ava Saulnier; special inlaws, Nancy Shipley, Florida; Ann Brown, Halifax; Les Frost, Digby; Trudy Frost, Bear River; many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents and wife, he was predeceased by sisters, Leslie O’Neal, Polly Ruggles, baby Mildred, Norma Fraser, Verna Butler and Joan Seaver; brothers, Bobby and DIck.

Special thanks to all the staff at Foyer Celeste in Meteghan for the care and compassion you provided and for making him feel like he was home. He was very happy there, which was a huge comfort to the family. Thank you also to the 2nd floor nurses and staff of Digby General and to Dr. Howatt and the nurses of the surgical unit at Valley Regional in Kentville.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Jayne’s Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on December 1, 2023 at 2pm from the St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Weymouth North, Barry Faulkner presiding. Family flowers only. Donations in memory of Jack may be made to the St. Peter’s Anglican Church or to the Food Bank.

Live stream will begin 10 mins before start of service. https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=c328a8d9-325b-4578-bbf9-63e9fc7d4bab