Obituary of Owen Field Walton
Owen Field Walton, aged 90 of Dartmouth, NS, passed away on May 5 at his home in Parkland at the Lakes, peacefully, with his family at his side.
Cremation has taken place. The funeral service will be held at Port Wallis United Church, 263 Waverly Road in Dartmouth on Saturday, May 18, with the Reverend Ivan Gregan officiating. The Legion Memorial will be at 10 am, the Eastern Star Memorial at 10:15 am, and the Masonic Memorial at 10:30 am. The funeral will follow at 11 am. All of the memorial services are open to all. The family will accept condolences at a time of food and fellowship in the church hall following the funeral. Private burial will take place at a later date in Fernwood Cemetery, Port Elgin, NB.
Owen was born in Little Shemogue, New Brunswick to Helen (Field) and Floyd Walton on October 12, 1933, the third of four children and the first boy. His primary education was at the one-room schoolhouse at Cadman's Corner, NB. He moved on to the new Regional Memorial High School in Port Elgin, NB graduating in 1951. After leaving school, Owen joined the Royal Canadian Navy. He worked as an aircraft technician until he left the Navy in early 1965. After leaving the Navy, Owen worked, as a commercial traveller, for 30 years, during which time he sold, in his words, “everything from whiskey to Mack trucks”. Owen reconnected with his Navy roots when he returned to Dartmouth in 1991 when he became involved as a Board member and later Chair of the Board of The Shearwater Aviation Museum Foundation.
Owen married his first wife, Joyce Reid in June of 1954. They had two children, Leaellen and Lian. They divorced in 1964. Shortly thereafter, Owen re-met and married Shirley Murray, had their daughter Luanne, and adopted their son Ross.
Throughout his life, in addition to golf and house parties, Owen gained great enjoyment from his membership in the Masonic Lodge. He joined John Albro Lodge in 1964. Upon moving to Moncton, he affiliated with Keith Lodge, where he served as Worshipful Master and District Deputy Grand Master. When the family moved back to Dartmouth in 1991, Owen rejoined John Albro Lodge where he was extremely active, culminating in his year of service as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia. During this year, Owen's wife, Shirley, delighted in travelling with him as his “Lady Shirley”, meeting people all over Canada and the United States. They also enjoyed participating as a couple in the Order of the Eastern Star. Owen served as Worthy Patron twice in Frank H. Tingley Chapter in Moncton, NB, and twice in Queen Esther Chapter in Dartmouth, NS. He was also a lifelong supporter of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, in which his daughter Luanne remains involved.
Owen is survived by his children, Lea Lewis (Greg) Eastern Passage, NS; Lian Walton (Doreen) Bass River, NS; Luanne, Ottawa, ON; and, Ross (Lori) Dartmouth, NS. He will be missed by his four grandchildren: Michael Lebans (Julie) Fall River, NS; Samantha Lewis, Eastern Passage; Kelton Walton, Vancouver Island; and, Sarah Walton, Vancouver Island. He will be sorely missed by great-granddaughters Charlie Lebans and Lexi Lewis-Flemming. Owen also leaves to mourn one brother Thane (Doris) Amherst, NS, and nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as a wide circle of friends. Dear friends Carmen Moir and Robert Warren will miss their mealtime chats, laughs, and Googling. Owen was predeceased by his dear wife Shirley, his parents, and two sisters: Norma Martin and Joyce Holden.
Memorial donations may be made to The Shearwater Aviation Museum Foundation or a charity of choice. The family wishes to thank the staff and residents of Parkland at the Lakes for making Owen's final years so comfortable and enjoyable.
