Obituary of Rankine B. Dow

DOW, Rankine Burns "Randy" - 88, died as he wished, at home in Berwick, Kings Co., amidst his family on Friday, April 12, 2013. Born on August 17, 1924 in Norwalk, Connecticut, to the late Rankin Dudley and Elvira Ann (Smullin) Dow.Randy lived his early life in the eastern United States, his family moving back to Woodstock N.B. when he was 12. Randy joined the Royal Canadian Army, switched to the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. He was posted to Sydney, NS, where he met the love of his life Jean Ormiston "Ormi" Carmichael whom he married two months later and remained married to for more than 68 years. After the war, Randy taught school briefly, and returned to the Air Force for a career, retiring in 1968. He returned to Acadia University to upgrade his teaching licence and spent the next 18 years teaching junior high students at Berwick School where among others he taught four of his five children. Randy and Ormi were quietly active in their communities, especially passionate about working with and educating young people. They started the HiC young peoples group in the Berwick United Church in the 1960s. Randy and Ormi were founders of the Berwick Community Theatre and Randy worked many years with drama in the Berwick School, and makeup for the musicals at West Kings District High School. He had wide variety of interests. Randy had a life-long love of listening to, writing and playing music which continues on in his family. He loved family life, especially camping, had a love of fishing and enjoying his fishing trips to Labrador. An avid bridge player, Randy joined the ACBL at age 77 and began playing duplicate bridge at the Woodville / Cambridge / Prospect Bridge club. Within 10 years he amassed the points necessary to become a life master, making many good friends along the way.Randy is survived by Ormi, his wife of 68 years; son, John Dow, Berwick; daughter, Diane Dow, Shubenacadie; daughter, Pamela (Stephen) Cameron, Lower Sackville and sons, Adam, Robin and Christopher Misner; son, Eric (Vanda) Dow, Coldbrook and their two sons, Tyler and Todd; son, David (Michelle) Dow, Comeauville and their two sons, Alexandre and Eric; his sister, Dorothy Bishop, Massachusettes and her five children and many grandchildren. Besides his parents he was predeceased by a sister, Vivian Dow; a granddaughter, Kami Lynn Misner.Arrangements have been entrusted to Bryce Johnstone of DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service (902-538-8317). There will be visitation from 4-7 p.m., Sunday, April 21, in the Berwick United Church, 240 Commercial St., Berwick, from where the funeral service will take place 2 p.m., Monday, April 22. Rev. Tom Woods officiating, with a time of fellowship and remembrance following in the church hall. Interment will be in the Berwick Cemetery. Family flowers only, donations in his memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, the CAREY ME FUND (Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville) or to a music or drama program in your local community school. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca