Obituary of Oran Eugene Reeves

Reeves, Oran Eugene - 80, passed away peacefully at the Shoreham Village Nursing Home in Chester on Monday, August 17, 2015. Born on July 23, 1935 he was a son of the late Harold and Verna (Swinimer) Reeves. Oran was the youngest of the 11 children in the family. He lived all of his life in the New Ross and Valley area. His work life involved mainly farming and forestry activities – a hard worker throughout his life and remained able bodied into his early seventies. Oran married Ella Brown in 1956 and they raised five children. The untimely death of Ella in 1998 and daughter Roxanne in 1995 left Oran alone to raise his 16 year old grandson Judson. As a memorial to Ella and Roxanne, Oran donated a beautiful metal gate and fence at the entrance to the Aldersville Cemetery. Oran and his siblings remained in close contact throughout the years through visits and calls. He was particularly fond of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Until recently, he and companion Janet Acker took advantage of every opportunity to travel the countryside and visit family and friends. He had many interests and hobbies. His life-long passion for oxen and ox pulling saw him win trophies at many fairs. He enjoyed gardening and often peddled produce; taking pride in his sauerkraut making skills and sold many buckets of it. Oran and Ella once belonged to a square dancing group. He was competitive in many games including cards and cribbage, darts and bowling. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and cooking (he could make a very good carrot cake and barley soup). In recent years Oran travelled to Moose Jaw to visit his son Greg, to New Hampshire to visit his sister Elsie and their families. He was a member of the St. Augustine Anglican Church, Forties. During the past three years Oran resided at Shoreham Village Nursing Home in Chester where he made many friends and would often be seen dancing and clapping with the music, chatting with residents or charming the staff with his big brown eyes and long eye-lashes. Oran is survived by companion Janet Acker; sons Greg (Brenda), Moosejaw; Rodney Reeves, New Ross; Guardian of Stuart Eustace, New Ross; daughters Wanda (Marty) Gates-Murphy, New Ross; Angela (Ferlin Kaizer) Lenihan, Chester Grant; sisters Elsie (Harold) French, New Hampshire; Pansy Hiltz, Forties; Elva Reeves (Bezanson), Blockhouse; sisters-in-law Myrna Reeves; Dorothy Reeves; Jean Veinot; grandchildren Ryan, Melissa, Chantal, Judson, Becky, Brittany, Brandon, Jonah, Matthew, Candace, Kerry, Bryce; great-grandchildren, Rachel, Chloe, Madison, Shae, Steven, Michael, Mikaia, Dawson, Kota; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Ella; daughter Roxanna; brothers Clifford, Maurice, Percy, Basil, Courtney; sisters Beatrice (infancy) and Madeline Walker; brothers-in-law Melvin Walker; Foster Hiltz; sisters-in-law Della and Reta Reeves; and grandson Steven. Visitation for Oran will take place on Sunday, August 23, 2015 at 2:00p.m. at the New Ross Anglican Church where a Memorial Service will take place at 3:00p.m., Rev. Judi Phillips officiating. A reception to follow at the Forties Community Centre. Interment at the Aldersville Cemetery. Donations in Oran's memory may be made to the St. James Cemetery or the New Ross Fire Department. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Lindsay Annapolis Valley Funeral Home, New Ross (902-689-2961). On-line condolences may be sent by visiting: www.serenitylindsayfuneralhome.ca