Obituary of Ralph Boyd

BOYD, J.T. RALPH … The death of J.T. Ralph Boyd of St. Andrews, N.B. occurred peacefully at his home on April 17th, 2008. Born in Moncton, N.B. on November 23, 1927, he was the son of the late Thomas H. Boyd and Eva May (Fielding) Boyd, and was predeceased by his wife Edith Wilmot (nee Lynds) in 1996, and his two brothers Gordon and Donald Boyd and niece Gail. He received his early education in Moncton, N.B. after which, he entered the Canadian National Railway Shops in Moncton in January 1944, serving his apprenticeship as a boilermaker and remained with the C.N.R. until July 1964. During this time he became active in the labour movement and held a number of positions with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers of America, Local 378. He was appointed general chairman of the (Boilermakers) union for the C.N.R. Atlantic Region in 1957 and served in that capacity until July 1964. During his years with the C.N.R. he also held the positions, at different times as Secretary and President of the Moncton and District Labour Council, as well as Vice President of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour from 1956 … 1964. Mr. Boyd left the C.N.R. in July 1964 to accept employment with the Provincial Government (Department of Labour) as a conciliation officer. In 1971 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Industrial Relations Board for the Province of New Brunswick. In the last few years before his retirement in January of 1992 he was also Senior Executive Officer of the Public Service Labour Relations Board and the Employment Standards Tribunal. He is survived by his youngest daughter Andrea Leigh Boyd of Edmonton, Alberta, his eldest daughter Lynn Ellen Allport, son-in-law Kevin Charles Allport, and much loved grandchildren Andrew, Laura and Jonathan of St. Andrews and nieces, Cheryl, Bonnie, Karen and Heather. Resting at Humphreys’ Funeral Home, 20 Marks Street, St. Stephen, N.B.,(506 - 466 - 3110) with visitation on Sunday April 20th from 2 … 4 pm and 7 … 9 pm. The funeral service will be held at the Wesley United Church, 77 William Street in St. Andrews on Monday, April 21st at 2 pm. A private interment will take place Tuesday April 22nd at the Fairhaven Memorial Gardens in Moncton N.B. Donations in memory of Ralph can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Hospice of Charlotte, or a charity of the donor’s choice.