Bathurst - Donald Wilfred Rutledge, 74, of Johnson Ave., Bathurst, died Monday (August 25, 2003) at the Chaleur Regional Hospital, Bathurst, after a lengthy illness.
Born in Fredericton, he was the son of the late Erwin and Henrietta (Russell) Rutledge. Donald has valiantly struggled against Parkinson's disease for many years.
He was a graduate of Fredericton High School and of UNB Fredericton receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Masters of Science Degree in Geology. He began his career as a Geologist in Tilt Cove, Green Bay, Nfld., from there he moved to Ottawa to work with the Federal Government at the Department of Mines and Technical Surveys.
While in Ottawa, he met and married his wife Florine. Thereafter he and his family moved to Bathurst in 1966 to work for Brunswick Mining and Smelting, Mining Division as a Geologist. Donald was a highly respected, knowledgeable geologist on the Bathurst camp. He was a member of the CIMM. Don was a great nature lover and walker. His hobbies included photography, oil painting, music appreciation and creating framed rock displays and rock collecting. He spent many hours recording a great verity of music.
He is survived by his wife, the former Florine Valliant, Two daughters: Dr. Joanne Rutledge (Dr. Bernard Chiasson), Lynn Rutledge, both of the Toronto area, Two sons: John Rutledge (Elizabeth) and Gary Rutledge (Michelle), both of the Toronto area; Four grandchildren; Brett, Jessica, Jacob and Amy; One sister: Margaret Rutledge of Fredericton; One brother: Glenn Rutledge (Harriet) of Fredericton; One half-brother: Edwin Rutledge (Alma) of Calgary, AB. and several nieces and nephews.
He was pre-deceased by a half-brother, Blake Rutledge.
There will be no visitation at the Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday afternoon (August 30, 2003) at 2:00 p.m. from the Bayview Baptist Church, O'Neil Dr., Bathurst. Burial will in the Doaktown United cemetery at a later date. For anyone wishing to send tokens of sympathy, the family would appreciate donations to the Parkinson's Foundation or a favorite charity.