Earle Ransford McCutcheon
June 03, 1931 – March 24, 2021

McCutcheon, Earle Ransford – of Bedford, passed away peacefully at the age of 89 with family at his side at the Infirmary site, QEII on March 24, 2021. Born on the family farm in Olinville, NB to the late Thomas and Bessie (Braydon) McCutcheon, Earle enjoyed the simple family life as a country boy before moving as a youth to Saint John, NB, where he attended Saint John High school and began a lifelong love affair with basketball. As a tall, lefty point guard, “Rangy Earle McCutcheon” took his saggy socks and huge hands all the way to the Eastern Canadian Championships and in a failed tilt against the Harlem Globetrotters. After graduating from high school with undisclosed grades, Earle was hired to sell brushes for the Simms Co. in Saint John in the early 1950’s, then on to Hog’s Hollow in Toronto, and finally to Halifax, NS, where he boarded in a family home on the corner of Oxford and London. It was there that he met the love of his life, Jacqueline Spruin, and in 1959 they married, started a family, and enjoyed a loving 52 year marriage before Jackie’s passing in 2012. In 1969 he rolled the dice and founded KM Agency Ltd., which had him on the road to every little hardware store in every nook and cranny in Atlantic Canada from that time until his retirement in 2000. Earle consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic, friendly disposition, and borderline obsession with lists, files and labels. Above all else, Earle’s driving priority was his family. He and Jackie did everything they could to provide a loving household for their children and grandchildren. If he could make it to a game, drive to a practice, or get a good seat at a recital, he was going to be there. His stern, almost cranky look he had as he watched games belied the mild disposition that emerged in his later years. Retirement was good to Earle and gave him time to stay home, travel occasionally with Jackie, and spend time with his family. He deeply missed Jackie every day after her passing, but soldiered on and lived actively and independently until the very end. He started a second career as the family dog walker, and in rain, snow or shine he would amble slowly down the street with Tully or Penny, pull in green bins for neighbours, and chit chat with whomever was passing by. He was so appreciative of the kindness of his neighbours in his recent years and was fiercely adamant he was going to live independently for as long as he could despite being implored by his family to at least stay off the ladder. He definitely had his quirks: the kitchen could never be clean enough, you never threw out a rubber band, Duke was always going to win in March Madness, Tom Brady never ran enough, and the food shouldn’t touch the inside of the green bin. He was a world-class trash talker who was quick to hand you a tissue for a crying towel or get out some air freshener if he skunked you in cribbage. His memory seemed to fade as he only could remember games he had won. He took particular pleasure (or not, depending on the outcome) in his epic battles with his pal, brother-in-law, and rummy nemesis Ed Spruin, which was well documented in the official score book that was kept beside the cards. Above all, Earle’s greatest joy was any time he could spend with any of his ten grandchildren, especially in the chaos of large gatherings. His wish for them is “to be responsible for your actions – to account and honour your commitments to live by what your Mom and Dad taught you” and to keep the family chain “joined and strong.” Besides his parents and wife, Earle was predeceased by brothers Malcolm and Robert, and sister Vera. He will be so dearly missed by children Susan (Gregory Heater), Cynthia (Peter Merrill), Thomas (Leeanne Lauzon) and Robert (Andrea Simpson), grandchildren Braydon, Garrett, Alexandra, Callie, Conall, William, Hope, Malcolm, Drew, and Rory, brother-in-law Ed Spruin (Liz), sister-in-law Lynn Morrison (George), and many nieces and nephews. Due to COVID restrictions, a celebration of life will be planned at a later date. Online condolences can be left at www.dartmouthfuneralhome.ca. Donations can be made in Earle’s name to Kidsportcanada.ca or Chalice.ca.

Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Earle Ransford McCutcheon June 03 1931 March 24 2021..

dartmouth funeral home

Death notice for the town of: Dartmouth, Province: Nova Scotia

death notice Earle Ransford McCutcheon June 03 1931 March 24 2021

mortuary notice Earle Ransford McCutcheon June 03 1931 March 24 2021