Obituary of Walter Burton Flewelling

With family at his side Walter Burton Flewelling, a proud lifelong resident of Saint John, husband of the late Joan Flewelling, passed away peacefully at St Joseph’s Hospital on Saturday, May 19, 2012 following a lengthy illness. Born at Saint John NB on July 3, 1931, he was the son of the late Burton George and Edith Ruth (Carey) Flewelling. Walter had a strong belief in faith, family, friends and community. Walter was a dedicated member of the Church of the Good Shepherd where he had served on vestry and as a senior warden. Walter’s success as a business leader took root early. As a young teenager, he was a self-starter, delivering papers and selling magazines. He ran his own business even before he graduated from Saint John Vocational School. The self-styled graduate of the "University of Hard Knocks" later pursued studies at the University of Western Ontario. Over a long-time food industry career he served in many capacities in senior management, becoming President in 1980 of the Willett Fruit Company Ltd., Willett Foods and later, the Food Group, which included the Village Food Stores. He brought a business perspective, leadership and active participation to many community organizations such as the Saint John Board of Trade, the Fundy Region Development Commission, the Economic Development Council, the Canadian Fruit and Vegetable Association and Enterprise Saint John. He brought dedicated and long service to the Carleton Union Lodge # 8; Potentate in 1977 of the Luxor Temple Shrine and a board member of the Montreal Children’s Hospital for eight years. The Maritime Golf Association, the Westfield Golf and Country Club, the Hampton Fishing Club, Cliff Club, the Mayor’s Task Force, The Union Club, The Lancaster Golden Service Club, the Advisory Committee of the Dean of UNB-Saint John’s Business Faculty and UNBSJ Education Committee also benefitted from his commitment. The Miramichi Salmon Association made him a life member. Walter was also serving on the Cedar Hill Cemetery Board of Directors. As an avid fly fisherman, Walter and Joan spent many wonderful years enjoying time together on the Miramichi at Stoney Run with friends and family. He will be dearly missed by his three sons, Gordon (Susan) of Prince George, BC, Richard (Christine) of Kelowna, BC, and Stephen (Sherry) of Dover, NH; and his brother David (Diane) Flewelling of Saint John. Walter was the much loved grandfather of Leanne Lomax Forden, of Saskatoon, SK., Patricia Peters (Lomax) of Cuba, Tony Lomax of Montreal, QC, and Kaley Lomax of Toronto, ON, Michael, Melanie, Jennifer Flewelling of Prince George, BC, Sarah Hutt (Flewelling) of Vanderhoof, BC, Grant and Laura Flewelling of Dover, NH, USA; and great grandfather to Lucas, Micah, Carter, Keagan, Bridget, Brooklyn, Konnor, Mya and Leighton. In addition to his wife, Walter was also predeceased by his daughter Barbara Jean Lomax and brother Robert Murray Flewelling. Resting at Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with visiting on Monday, May 21, 2012 from 7-9 PM and Tuesday, May 22, 2012 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 1:00 PM from the Church of the Good Shepherd, 668 Manawagonish Road, Saint John West. The Rev’d Chris McMullen and the Venerable Arthur Gregg will be officiating, with interment in Cedar Hill Extension Cemetery. For those who wish, remembrances may be made to a fund established by Walter and Joan Flewelling through the Greater Saint John Community Foundation which will benefit both the Saint John Regional Hospital and the University of New Brunswick Saint John Campus. Remembrances and condolences may be made at Brenan’s Funeral Home, or through its website, www.brenansfh.com.