Obituary of Leonard Walter Wilson

Wilson, Leonard Walter … the family of Leonard Walter Wilson announce with great sadness his passing. He was the husband of the late Emily (May) Wilson and a resident of Lorneville, Saint John, NB. His death occurred on December 10, 2006 at the Saint John Regional Hospital following a period of declining health. Born July 15th, 1913 in Lorneville, Leonard was the son of the late Walter and Jennie May (Downey) Wilson. He fished with his father at a young age, by 13 he was on the Bay in his own boat. He was a fisherman, a boat builder, and a carpenter. During the early part of WW II he ran the Army boat ferrying supplies and personnel to Partridge Island. Later in the war he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy as a Gunner, rising to the position of Petty Officer. He served abroad the corvette HMCS Collingwood and the frigate HMCS Stonetown, making more than 30 trips across the North Atlantic on convoy duty. Following the war he served in the Merchant Marine abroad the Hampstead Park. He spent a year fishing Pacific salmon out of Rivers Inlet, BC, before heading back to NB via the oil field of Leduc, Alberta. Upon his return to Lorneville he resumed fishing for Atlantic salmon, lobster and also worked his herring weirs. He purchased a dragger and pursued ground-fish for a time. During the winter season he worked at the port as an ILA Checker. He was very proud of his boatbuilding abilities, from the initial design, to the selection of trees, the cutting, milling (at the sawmill he built himself) and the steaming and bending of the lumber, to the final construction details. He built over thirty boats in his lifetime, in later years he constructed one of the first ferro-cement boats to be built in NB. He was knowledgeable in many areas, from mechanics to navigation, and was a natural leader. He was the founder and president (11 years) of the Saint John Commercial Fishing Association and was instrumental in securing compensation for the Bay of Fundy salmon fisherman who lost their livelihood when the government closed the fishery. He was a Life Member the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #69 serving in an executive capacity for many years. In later years he enjoyed listening and singing along with his hymns. Leonard is survived by his six children Paulette Cooke (Keith), Brenda Tower (John), Walter (Cathy Cummings), Cindy Agnew (Stephen), Arliss (Elaine) and Robert (Angela), grandchildren Rocky (Glenda) Cooke, Rob (Pam) Cooke, Danny (Laura) Tower, Dale Tower, Meghan, Luke and Rebecca Agnew, Michael and Emily Wilson and Morgan and Brooke Wilson, sisters Mabel Theall and Gladys Coldrick and numerous nieces and nephews and great-grandchildren. His brothers Elmer, Edgar and Stanley and grandson Randy Cooke predeceased Him. He also lefts to mourn two every special caregivers, Margaret Ann Derrah and Carol Segec, whose compassionate and loving care will long be remembered. Resting at Brenan's Bay View Select Community Funeral Home, 1461 Manawagonish Road (634-7425), with visiting on Monday from 7-9 pm and Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, at 1:00 pm, from Bay View Chapel. Interment will take place at the Lorneville Community Cemetery. Remembrances made to the Lorneville and Seaview Cemetery Fund, the Lorneville United Church or a charity of donor's choice would be appreciated.