MACRITCHIE, Kenneth

Whycocomagh

Kenneth MacRitchie, age 92, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2017 in the Richmond Villa, St. Peter’s following a long struggle with dementia.

Born in Boston on July 23, 1924, a son of the late Angus and Carrie (Matheson) MacRitchie. The family returned to Bucklaw, Nova Scotia in 1933.

Ken attended school in Bucklaw and Baddeck. He graduated from Nova Scotia Teachers College in Truro and Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick. Following university, he taught school in Victoria and Inverness Counties before moving to Sydney to teach at various Schools. Ken retired as Principal from Whitney Pier Memorial Junior High in 1984, where he had been the school’s first principal when it opened in 1979. Over the years, it seemed impossible for him to go anywhere in Cape Breton and often much further beyond - without running into former students who were always happy to see him.

Ken is survived by his wife of 59 years, Patricia (MacLeod); sons, John (Ingrid van Leeuwen), granddaughter, Margaret of Toronto, Ontario and David (Catherine Hill), granddaughters, Arianne and Kristen, Pictou; sisters-in-law, Ily Connell, Marilyn MacLeod and Fran MacLeod. His parents and sisters, Mary and Violet ‘Tooty’ predeceased him.

Over the years, he was involved in many community organizations including Home and School, Air Cadets, Canada Winter Games, Whycocomagh Education Centre Student Advisory Council, Whycocomagh Development Commission and St Andrews Presbyterian Church Board of Managers. He was a member of St. Marks Lodge 35, Baddeck and associate member of Sircom Lodge 66, Whycocomagh where he received a 65-year Jewel in 2014.

The family has many fond memories of summer camping trips throughout Canada and the United States visiting many National Parks and Historic Sites. The most memorable was probably the 49-day, 19,000-kilometer cross-country summer trip from Sydney to Victoria, British Colombia and back by tent trailer, complete with encounters with snow, ice and bears. In later years, Ken and the family enjoyed spending time at ‘Hector’s Place’, the cottage he built in Bucklaw. Bucklaw and Hector’s Place were also favourites of the dogs whose company he enjoyed throughout the years. He and Pat retired to Whycocomagh in 1988 where he remained active in the local community until recent years.

Thanks and appreciation is extended from the family to Inverness County Home Support, especially Donna MacLennan and Kathy MacDonald. Thanks also to Dr. C. Chow for care over the years and in the last months to Dr. Ritter and the Palliative Care Team. Grateful appreciation to the Staff of Richmond Villa for respite care that made his final days as comfortable as possible and providing support and compassion to the family.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21 in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Whycocomagh with Masonic service at 7 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 22 in St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Whycocomagh with Reverend Andrew MacDonald officiating. Interment in Stewartdale Cemetery at a later date.

No Flowers by request, donations in Ken’s memory if desired can be made to the Whycocomagh Volunteer Fire Department or a charity of your choice. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www. haverstocks.com.