Obituary for ~
Ralph Moyle Thomas
c1910 - September.18.1999
THOMAS, Ralph Moyle - 89, Midville Branch, formerly of Indian Point, Lunenburg Co., died September 18, 1999, in Fishermen's Memorial Hospital, Lunenburg.
Born in Indian Point,
he was a son of the late Herbert and Flora (Langille) Thomas.
When he was nine years old, during summer months, he sailed off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, working on the schooner as a cabin boy and fish cutter. When he was 18 he skippered a 48 foot private yacht to New York. Staying in the United States, he worked in Connecticut with the Bullard Machine Company, where he worked and received his Journeymakers Certificate status.
During the depression he went to Montreal and worked with the Imperial Oil Company on various oil tankers and continued sailing abroad where, in 1932, he received his Chief Mate's certificate at the age of 22.
He then was employed at the Imperial Oil Company location in Dartmouth. In 1937 he moved to Talara, Peru, working with the International Petroleum Company, based out of New York. His family joined him in Peru eight months later.
In 1943 he returned to Canada and joined the merchant marines.
During the Second World War he was included in the North Atlantic convoys. After the war, he continued to sail until the late 1940s when he then accepted a shore position with Imperial Oil and continued to work there until he attained the position of day foremen and worked to his retirement in 1966. He then took a chief officer position with various CN ferries, running from Cape Tormentine to Borden, P.E.I.
After his final retirement he became active in various bridge clubs,obtaining his junior masters at the age of 71.
He also toured Canada and the United States with his wife, Reta.
During his life, he was an avid hunter, fisherman, golfer and gardener. He was a past member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Chester Branch.
Surviving are daughters, Devina Reimer, Lower Sackville;
Barbara MacKay, Midville Branch;
Flora MacDonald, Bedford;
sons, Robert, Halifax;
Martin, Midville Branch;
Russell, Middlewood;
brother, Captain Philip Thomas, Chester Basin;
14 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife, Reta Alice (Barnes) Thomas;
sister, Vera Solowan, RN;
brothers, Captain Lawson Thomas,Captain Perry Thomas.
Visitation 2-4, 7-9 p.m. Tuesday in Mahone Funeral Home, 32 Parish St., Mahone Bay.
Funeral 11 a.m. Wednesday in Indian Point Union Church, Indian Point, Rev. Heather Hemming officiating.
Burial in Indian Point Park Cemetery, Indian Point.
In lieu of flowers, donations to The Lung Association or any charity.
This obituary appeared Monday, September 20, 1999
The Halifax Herald Limited
Return to Langille Obituaries
Return to the Langill - Langille Home Page