Richard Shaffner
We are deeply saddened to share that Richard,
beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away on Saturday, June 11,
2022, at the Valley Hospice in Kentville,
NS.
Richard was the son of Willard and Helen
(Sweetser) Shaffner. He was born and raised in Middleton, Nova Scotia,
at a time when children had the good fortune to be able to explore
their world at their own pace, with curiosity and independence. He
developed many lifelong friendships as a child, friendships which were
forged through exploring, adventuring, and playing hours of sports on
improvised courts and fields around Middleton. Richard loved sport his
whole life, and in particular enjoyed baseball, basketball, football,
and golf, both as a fan and as a
participant.
Richard graduated from Middleton Regional High
School and went on to receive a BA from Acadia University and an MA
from the University of Alberta, both in Economics. While attending
university, he spent the summers working at Keltic Lodge in Ingonish
Beach, Cape Breton. He took advantage of working at Keltic to improve
his golf game at Highland Links, a course that he loved and considered
one of the best in Canada.
After graduating from the University of
Alberta, Richard felt unsure of his career path and took a year to
travel and work in Europe. He worked the winter in the resort town of
Leysin, Switzerland, and enjoyed a season of skiing before travelling
around Europe in an ancient VW Beetle with his long-time friend from
Middleton, Rob Newcombe. From Monaco for the Grand Prix, to Turkey for
the Great Bazaar, and Scotland for all the golf, Richard had quite a
year of adventures which both shaped his outlook on the world and
helped develop a love of travel which he enjoyed throughout his life.
One of his great memories of this year abroad was a walk-on game of
golf that he played on a dreary September day with two seasoned locals
at the Old Course at St. Andrews, where the green fees were then less
than 1£.
Richard returned to Canada and started his
career in Montreal. He took a position as an economist with the C.D.
Howe Institute, a job he credited with helping him develop research,
analytical, and writing skills that were invaluable throughout his
career. In his role at C.D. Howe, he wrote and commentated on various
policy issues of the time, and also served as the Canadian Director of
Research for the Institute’s Canadian-American Committee.
While living in Montreal, Richard’s leisure time was largely
devoted to skiing and playing golf in the Eastern Townships. He
particularly enjoyed golf at Cowansville Golf Club, which he
considered his home course for many years. It was here that he met
Deborah, the woman who would become the love of his
life.
Richard and Deborah married and settled in Nova
Scotia, living first in Halifax, and after the birth of daughters
Carolyn and Ellen, moving to Wolfville. Richard enjoyed a 27-year
career with the Province of Nova Scotia, working first in economic
planning and policy, and later administering consumer protection
legislation as the province’s Director of Consumer Services.
Upon retirement, he enjoyed looking after the property of his
much-loved historic home in Wolfville, and played many, many rounds of
golf with good friends at KenWo Golf Club and other nearby courses. He
also enjoyed travelling with Deborah to the far reaches of the planet
including Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, China, and all
over Europe.
Throughout his life, Richard was a quiet,
thoughtful, patient, and kind person. He was frugal and moderate in
all things, a hard worker, and he believed strongly in the value of
nature, the importance of reducing waste and the ever-increasing need
to protect the environment. He was straightforward, fair, and a steady
rock for those around him, quietly offering wisdom, compassion, and
fortitude to his family and friends when it was needed. His gentle and
constant nature was a source of enduring strength for Deborah and the
girls, to whom he was devoted. He was a true friend to many, a
wonderful father to Carolyn and Ellen, and a supportive, loving
partner to Deb. Words cannot begin to describe the love and light he
was, so we simply end by stating that, truly, he was one of the good
ones.
Richard is survived by his wife, Deborah;
daughters, Carolyn, Fort McMurray, and Ellen (Rob), Halifax; sister,
Nancy (Maurice), Overstrand, Norfolk, England; brother, Paul,
Middleton; nieces, Elizabeth (Sam), and Emily (Matthew), Norfolk,
England; cousin, Judy, Pownal, Maine; grand-niece, Alice; and
grandnephews, Ben, Peter, and Rupert. He was predeceased by his
parents.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of
Richard’s life will be held on Thursday, June 23 at 2:00
p.m. at White Family Funeral Home in Kentville. A reception will
follow. No flowers by request. The family would like to thank Dr.
Sudeep Shivakumar and Dr. Melanie MacNeil for the care they offered
Richard during his battle with aggressive lymphoma, and the staff of
the Valley Hospice for making his final days as comfortable as
possible.
Donations in memory of Richard may be made to
the Valley Regional Hospital Foundation or the Valley Hospice
Foundation. Additionally, those eligible to register as stem cell
donors may consider doing so in Richard’s honour.
Funeral
arrangements have been entrusted to the
White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. On-line
condolences and inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Richard Shaffner 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Kentville, Province: Nova Scotia