Rick Shalala

The death of Frederick "Rick" George Shalala, Jr. occurred on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at the Fredericton Hospice. He was 76.  Born in Campbellton, June 18, 1941, he was the first of eight sons born to Fred and Irene Shalala. He was predeceased by his parents and by 5 brothers - Jerry, Mike, Raymond, Stephen and James.

He is survived by 2 brothers Bill (Marlene) and Allan Shalala, both of Campbellton, a sister Susan Shalala D'Aoust (Milton) of Jemseg, NB, his children Wendy Millar (Tim Graham) of Miami, Manitoba, Rick Shalala, Jr, of Edmonton, Alberta, and Tracy Vautour-Russell (Michael Russell) of Miramichi, NB., and by 5 grandchildren - Michael, Janessa, Meghan, Lacey, and Courtney. 

Rick graduated from the Assumption Academy and entered the Royal Canadian Air Force, earning his pilot status. Flying remained his lifelong passion. After retiring from the RCAF, he flew water bombers fighting forest fires, spray planes, bush piloting and stunt flying in air shows. He is widely remembered as a radio announcer in Miramichi, a television reporter for CBC and other networks, and a businessman/restauranteur (Le Marquis de Malauze) and club owner (Chequers and Town Pump) in Campbellton. He was an avid boater and co-owner of Strait Moorings Inc, a navigation and engineering company in Shediac.

A funeral Mass will be held in Campbellton at St. Thomas Aquinas Church on Tuesday, July 4 at 11 a.m., followed by the burial of his ashes in the family plot at the Campbellton Cemetery.