Obituary of Melbourne Sinclair Richards

Melbourne Sinclaire (Claire) Richards Age 87, Bridgewater, Lunenburg Co., passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at the South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater. Born in La Have Islands, he was a son of the late Freeman Oliver and Teresa Violet (Seaboyer) Richards. Family, friends and community were especially important to Claire. He enjoyed many years of camping with family and friends. He was a member and past president for the Seabreeze Campers Association and was a Provincial Field Director for the National Campers and Hikers Association, Nova Scotia branch. He was an active member of the Bridgewater Fire Department for over 20 years. Claire was a member of the Kiwanis Golden K Club, Bridgewater where he volunteered many hours with various community programs, including driving the Senior Wheels bus and installing Life Line systems. Claire also had a love for music which he shared with his daughters. He played clarinet for many years with the Bridgewater Firemen’s Band. He sang with the Sons of the Sea Barber Shop Quartet as well as with the Bridgewater Baptist Church Men’s Choir and Senior Choir. Surviving are his wife, Ethel (Smith) Richards, Bridgewater; daughters, Kathryn (Fred) Kirby, LaCrete, AB; Susan Richards, High Level, AB; grandsons, David Kirby and Geoffrey Kirby; brothers, Erwin Richards, Queens Manor, Liverpool; Havelock “Lockie” (Dorothy) Richards, Sandy Cove; Graham (Joyce) Richards, West Dublin; brother-in-law, Morton (Marion) Williams, Liverpool; sister-in-law Gloria Richards, Bridgewater; numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. He was predeceased by brothers, Norris in infancy; W. Edgar Richards; sister-in-law, Ella Richards and grand-niece, Jessica Richards. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m., Sunday, February 1, 2015 in Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater. Service will be 1 p.m., Monday, February 2, 2015 in Bridgewater Baptist Church. Rev. Dr. Brian MacArthur officiating. Family interment will follow in the Brookside Cemetery, Bridgewater. Family flowers only; donations may be made to the Alzheimers Society of Nova Scotia, Canadian Diabetes Association, Bridgewater Baptist Church or charity of choice. Arrangements entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater where on-line condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com or by messaging sweenys@ns.sympatico.ca.