Obituary of Col. Reay M. Black

BLACK, REAY M. Col.(ret’d) - Reay Melbourne Black, MBE, MID, CD, BSc (civil), BSc (mil), of Cambridge-Narrows, died at home on Thursday, August 16, 2007. Born in Sussex, NB, on February 13, 1919, he was the son of the late Lt. Col. Harry W. Black and Helen L (Scott) Black. Col. Black was a graduate of Mount Allison Academy (valedictorian), Mount Allison University (’38), Royal Military College (’40), UNB (’49), London School of Economics (’50 – Beaverbrook Scholar). A veteran of World War II and the Korean War, and a professional engineer with the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers, he retired from the Canadian Forces in 1974, and was Town Engineer for the town of Sussex until 1981. He was an avid sailor on the waters of the Atlantic coast, and enjoyed skiing the Alps and Rockies. Col. Black is survived by his wife Georgina Peck (MacLatchey) Black; daughter Mary Elspeth Torcat and husband Carlos Torcat of Cambridge-Narrows and Pampatar Venezuela; Deborah Anne Moore and husband Major (Rev.) Steven Moore of Ottawa; son Dr. Donald A.S. Black and wife Donna (MacDonald) of Rothesay; grandson Cristian Torcat and wife Alexandra (Stesmans) Torcat of Venezuela; grandson Patrick Torcat of Venezuela; grandsons Ryan Moore, Joshua Moore and Andrew Moore of Ottawa; granddaughter Sarah Black and grandson Alexander Black of Rothesay; nieces Minda Wardrop and Joann Monroe. He was predeceased by his brother, Lt. Donald A.S. Black, sister Marjorie Wardrop, and granddaughter Estilita Georgina Torcat. There will be no visitation by request. Following cremation, a memorial service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements under the care of Brenan’s Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424).