Obituary of Malcolm B. Appleby

Malcolm (Mac) Appleby, 91, passed away on August 27th, 2014 at the Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville, NB. He was born on December 10, 1922 in Saint John, New Brunswick to Beverly and Muriel (Olive) Appleby. Mac grew up in Saint John and graduated from Saint John Vocational School. After high school he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and was honorably discharged on January 6, 1945 at the rank of Sergeant, as an Air Navigator. After the war, he began work for the National Packing Company Ltd., a family business, where he worked with his Father and Brother for over 10 years. Mac then joined NB Tel where he worked as an account executive for 23 years. He then joined Irving Oil Limited in a variety of capacities, endearing himself to the community of Brown’s Flats and the many patrons of Garden Street Irving, retiring at the age of 72. He was an avid scuba diver, and enjoyed years of the sport with his longtime friend, Charlie Howell aboard their Cape Islander. Mac loved to "run the river" as well, and his explorations led to a love of all things that swam, flew or walked on four legs. His observations were passed on first hand to his children, resulting in a love affair with nature on the part of all three, which continue to this day. He understood resource protection long before politicians began to create the current regulatory framework. He loved to sing and dance, spending many enjoyable hours as a member of a barbershop quartet and the NB Tel Pioneers. He was a long time member of the YMCA, an avid cross-country skier, a pet lover, home handy man and cottage provider for his wife and children in Martinon, Belle Isle and Gorhams Bluff areas over the years. Mac was an active member of Main Street Baptist Church for over 85 years. He received his Cradle Roll Certificate from the church on December 29th, 1922. He and his wife moved to Bristol, New Brunswick in 2009 where he became an active member of the Pembroke United Baptist Church. Mac married Norma (Carlin) in 1948 in Saint John. They were happily married for 67 years. Mac was "old school", and family always came first. He worked many long hours to ensure that his kids had what they needed, regardless of any hardship which he himself had to endure to make it happen. He was a role model, a mentor, a teacher and a friend, and had the unconditional love of his family right to the end of his wonderful life. He will be missed and not forgotten. A rare jewel of a man in an increasingly distant world. Mac was preceded in death by his father Beverly, his mother Muriel, his sister Jean (Nase) and brother Beverly Appleby. Mac is survived by his spouse Norma, of Woodstock, New Brunswick; his daughter Meredith of Toronto, ON; son Stephen (Marguerite) of Florenceville-Bristol, NB and son John (Margaret) of Musquodoboit Harbour, NS; his grandchildren Malcolm Appleby (Stephanie); Julia Tagoe (Albert) and Carlin Appleby; his great-grandchildren Isabel, William, Lily-Anne and Kyra-Lynne. Arrangements are under the care of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, 634-7424. A memorial service will be held at RiverCross Church (formerly Main Street Baptist Church), Saint John, NB at 2 pm on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014. The family will be greeting friends and relatives at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Pembroke United Baptist Church, 14 Birch Street, Florenceville-Bristol, NB E7L 2E8.