Obituary of William Raland Tracy

It is with sadness but peace of heart, that the family of William Raland Tracy, announce his passing on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at the Drew Nursing Home in Sackville at the age of 93. Born on February 9, 1921 in Sackville, N.B., he was the son of the late Herbert and Hughena (Hargreaves) Tracy. Bill (Ral) graduated from Mount Allison University and Nova Scotia Tech (Dal Tech) with a Mechanical Engineering degree. When he was a Mount Allison athlete (Mountie), he set a record in track which remained unchallenged for many years. As an engineer, he worked in management for the Alcan Aluminum Company Ltd. in Arvida, Quebec. Upon retirement Bill headed back to Sackville, N.B. where he continued to play competitive curling and golf, and to teach young and old a thing or two about the games. Bill won four Quebec Provincial Curling Championships, which meant a berth at the Brier, and also won two Quebec Provincial Mixed Championships. He was inducted into the Sackville, New Brunswick Sports Wall of Fame and the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame. In June 2012, at the age of 91, he was inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame. He was active in many sports over his lifetime and excelled in all of them. He took up windsurfing in his sixties and spent countless hours surfing the Northumberland Strait when at his cottage in Murray Corner, N.B. He was also an avid hunter and angler. Bill was a Mason for 62 years and a member of the Sussex Lodge #4 in Dorchester, N.B. However, his proudest lifetime accomplishment was his family. Bill will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Betty (Porter), Sackville, N.B., and his children, Anne (Michael) Kinley, Stillwater Lake, N.S., Barbara (Paul) Myers, Hubley, N.S., Ronald (Valerie) Tracy, Moncton, N.B., Joan (Dahrl) Whitney, Halifax, N.S. and Linda (Handson) Yip, Belgium; his sisters, Helen Lawrence, Sackville, N.B. and Ruth (Don) McPhail, Bedford, N.S.; fourteen grandchildren, Raland and Nevin Kinley, Chris and Greg Myers, Tracy MacInnis, Angela Landry, Trudy Allen, Richard Tracy, Meredith and Stewart Whitney, Melissa and Stephanie Kia and Brian and Aaron Yip; nine great-grandchildren; his son-in-law, Charlie Kia, Dartmouth, N.S. and several nieces and nephews. Other than his parents, Bill was pre-deceased by his first wife, Frances Eleanor (Estabrooks); his second wife, Annette (Pesant) and by his daughter, Jane Kia. Arrangements have been entrusted to Campbell’s Funeral Home, 89 Bridge Street, Sackville, N.B. (364-8188). In keeping with Bill’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation. The funeral service will be held at Campbell’s Funeral Home on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 2 pm with Rev. Vernon Vickruck officiating. The burial will take place in the Sackville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Bill may be made to the Amherst Curling Club, Masonic Temple, Sussex Lodge, #4, Drew Nursing Home, Sackville Hospital Auxiliary or to the charity of one’s choice.