REEVES, Rupert Douglas
In Loving Memory of Rupert Douglas Reeves 1936-2024
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rupert Douglas Reeves, 88, of Cambridge, Kings County, N.S. at Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville, N.S. on April 30, 2024, following his valiant fight against various illnesses.
Born in Cambridge on February 23, 1936, Rupert was the beloved son of Cecil Emery Reeves and Helen Beatrice (Reese) Reeves. Rupert spent his entire life in the Cambridge area. He began his working career in 1953 farming and gardening in the summer, logging and pulpwood cutting in the winter at the home place on Cambridge Mountain Road. Rupert remembered walking the one mile to the woodlot and cutting wood with a pulp saw all day by himself. In 1955, he packaged fruit and vegetables for the family farm business. His father made deliveries to customers as far away as Halifax, and Brier Island where they would have to stay overnight because of wind in the channel. In 1967, Rupert began working as a Canadian Tire Processing Clerk assisting with stock as it came to the store. Rupert specialized in plumbing materials. Also at that time, he was tasked with gift wrapping Christmas purchases—even toboggans! One year two large 500ft. rolls of Christmas wrap were used up! In 1971, he bought Margaret’s Store on the corner of Highway 1 and County Home Road. Rupert renamed his new business, “Rupert D. Reeves General Merchandise”. Rupert remembers the satisfaction of running the cash register. Oftentimes his nephew Ronny helped him. Rupert sold the store in 1975. Today a Quickway Convenience store is running at the same location. He enjoyed picking apples for a while after selling the store; it was great exercise. In 1976, Rupert attended classes to learn the discipline of ceramic-making. He converted his hen house into a ceramic shop large enough to accommodate 20 students! Next Rupert perfected the use of greenware, firing it in a kiln, painting it, and selling it to his customers. Soon the community was interested in taking classes from Rupert twice a week. He facilitated the use of learning materials and ceramic building projects for his students. Eventually Rupert expanded his facility by 40 ft., to accommodate over 2000 molds! In 1980, Rupert built two greenhouses, 16 x 100 ft., on his property. One year he transplanted 9000 dozen plants. He had hundreds of customers that chose his flower and vegetable transplants each Spring. In 1997, Rupert left Cambridge Mountain Rd. property to retire at a lovely home on Highway 1. Soon he had one of his most important jobs of all; taking care of his mom until she passed in 2006. Rupert continued to support his church and community events in his retirement. One day in 2013 at a card party in Cambridge, Rupert met Flora Shaw. They soon went to a dinner theater for their first date. Rupert and Flora married in 2016. Rupert instantly became a step-father to Blake, Mark, and Stephen Wile.
Rupert was well-known to be quiet and shy as he attended Cambridge School #36, where the Cambridge Community Centre is today. During Primary to Grade 8, he had perfect attendance for several years. Rupert’s big moment to play Santa Claus in the 1950 Christmas Concert was cut short when the power went off—everyone had to go home!
The last years of Rupert’s life brought many adventures with his new family. He never tired of playing canasta and other epic games that would drag on for five to six hours, and relished winning quite often. He would just grin with a twinkle in his eye every time he beat his opponents. Boating, puzzle building, family concerts at the lake, field trips up and down the 221, selling his bumper squash harvest in 2022 were favorite activities of his.
Rupert is survived by his wife, Flora (Shaw) Reeves; his nephew, Ronny; his grandniece Nancy, and numerous other cousins, nephews and nieces in the Valley; his sister-in-law, Joanne Whynacht; his stepsons Blake Wile and wife Wendy (Reece), Yellowknife, NT; Mark Wile and wife Staci Lynn (Nugent) Bourbonnais, Illinois; and Stephen Wile of Los Angeles, California; his step-grandchildren, Jaclyn and Jeralyn (Wile) Abbate, USA; and Griffin and Mikelle Wile, of Calgary, Alberta. As the youngest and last surviving of his siblings, Rupert was predeceased by June, David, Louise, Anne, Kenneth.
Special thanks to Michelle for her V.O.N. and respite coordination. We will be forever grateful to the medical and hospital staff at Valley Regional Hospital who provided faithful, and educative care and support for Rupert.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Kentville. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 6th at the Christ Anglican Church in Berwick with Rev. Dorothy Miller officiating. For those unable to attend, a video webcast of the service will be available online by Tuesday, May 7th. A Celebration of Life and refreshments will follow immediately in the church hall. Interment will follow in the Berwick Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Christ Anglican Church in Berwick. To view the video webcast and for online condolences or inquiries please visit: www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com