A lifetime resident of the Williamsburg area, Rex K Casselman passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Saturday, November 3, 2012. He was 87.
Rex was born in Dunbar, Ontario on August 30, 1925, to his parents George and Jessie “Maud” Casselman (nee McIntosh). He was raised in the family store with his two brothers, Mac and Jack, who together were known in the area as the K boys.
In 1943, after several attempts and having reached the age of 18, Rex was accepted into the Royal Canadian Navy where he served until the end of WWII after which he was honorably discharged with a rank of “able seaman”
On November 19, 1960, at the United Church in Douglas, Ontario, Rex married Audrey H James and together they had two boys Jeff and Bruce.
From the end of the war until the mid-fifties, Rex worked at many jobs including; the Sudbury nickel mines, the harvest in Western Canada, security guard, road construction and with his brother Mac in the egg business. In 1955, he began to work for the Department of Transportation of Ontario where he worked until his retirement 30 years later in 1985.
Rex K was a well-known local character and renowned for his kindness and his love of sports. It was a rare occasion that he did not have a supply of balloons, lollipops or dog biscuits for the many little acquaintances he made across the baseball diamonds and hockey arenas of Eastern Ontario. Rex was a fixture parked behind the backstop or watching at the arena while his boys and later his grandchildren played.
He never missed a game and was the reliable transportation for many young people playing hockey or ball.
Rex is survived by his wife Audrey, his sons Jeff (Josée) of Cardinal and Bruce (Janet) of Ottawa. Loving Papa will be fondly remembered by grandchildren Elizabeth, Laura, Sarah, Jack and Lucy.
He is also survived by nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brothers Mac K and Jack K Casselman.
Friends called at the Marsden McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. until time of service.
Funeral service was held at the funeral home on Wednesday, November 7th at 11 a.m., with Rev. Norine Gullons officiating.
Interment followed at Maple Ridge Cemetery, Chesterville.
Honorary pallbearers were Laura Casselman and Lucy Casselman. Pallbearers were Elizabeth Casselman, Sarah Casselman, Jack Casselman, Barry Whitteker, Barry Strader and Larry Baizana.
Donations to Winchester Hospital or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.
Be the first to comment