Bathurst, NB – PETRIE, ELMER F. – Elmer F. Petrie, formerly of Youghall Drive and more recently of Fairway Court, passed away at the Robert L. Knowles Veterans’ Unit in Bathurst at the age of 91 on Sunday April 24, 2022. Born and raised in Bathurst he was the son of the late Alfred and Catherine (Lavigne) Petrie.
Elmer is survived by his best friend, partner and loving wife of 71 years, Mellie (Daley). On the day of his passing, Elmer and Mellie celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary.
Elmer is also survived by his seven children and their partners: Kathy (Dale), Dale (Helen), Suzan (Tim), Sheryl Anne (Christopher), Karen (Neil), Wendy (Bob) and Peter.
Lovingly referred to as ‘Poppy’ by the luckiest grandchildren in the world: Jennifer (Shawn), Scott (Angie), Jill (Brendan), Chris (Veronique), Jeffrey (Carolyn), Patrick (Elizabeth), Greg (Ashley), Jessica (Chris), Jake (Nicole), Trevor, Mary-Catherine (Kyle), Angela and Sebastian and great-grandchildren: Matthew, Abigail, Makayla, Kaelyn, Allyson, Carson, Colin, Eva, Zoey, Reid, Max, Colton, Bryce, Neil and Liam.
Elmer is also survived by Mellie’s siblings: Theresa Buchanan, Ron (Mary) Daley and Mary Daley-Pealer and his many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Elmer was pre-deceased by his siblings and their spouses: Eva and Leo Malley, Clara and Anthony Melanson, William (Bill) and Lillian Petrie, Violet (Vi) and Lawney Babin and Lillian and Gratton Hazel.
Elmer and Mellie enjoyed travelling (frequently to Florida), playing golf and spending time with treasured friends. Elmer was the No. 1 ‘taste tester’ and biggest fan of Mellie’s cooking - he loved it when friends or family dropped in for a drink or stayed for one of Mellie’s meals. Elmer was an amazing handyman and took great pride in his projects big or small. An avid hockey fan – if there was a game, he would be watching it - ideally when the Original Six were playing or, better yet, when Montreal faced off with Toronto. In the summertime, Elmer loved to sit out back and enjoy the peace and beauty of living on the water (and likely staying up late to watch the Blue Jays).
Elmer was a devoted husband and exceptionally proud father of each of his children, their spouses and their respective families. From ‘learning to swim’ in the pool and driving the tractor on Carl Drive, swimming and bonfires on the beach, Coke floats, playing pool and air hockey, target practice with his BB gun or hitting golf balls into the Bay, he and our Nanny made memories that childhood dreams are made of for his grandchildren. Family was the foundation of everything for Elmer and his greatest legacy. If ever you were lucky enough to grab a coffee or meal with Elmer, you would agree that he was quite the charmer and treated everyone he met with respect and a smile.
Elmer’s career began working in mining exploration. Elmer then embarked on a career as a successful local businessman when he took over his mother’s grocery business. Working alongside Mellie, he turned Petrie’s Groceries into a profitable grocery business serving the South Bathurst community until 1974. Elmer ended his career with a successful real estate practice which he co-owned with his partner, Barbara Guggenheimer, until his retirement in 1990.
Elmer was a long-standing and respected member of the Bathurst community serving for numerous years as an active member of Parish Council and the Lions Club. Elmer, along with Joe MacNeil, Louis Melanson and John Vienneau established the Boys Scouts organization in South Bathurst. In later years, Elmer greatly enjoyed the friendships and laughter with his buddies at the ROMEO (“Retired Old Men Eating Out”) Club and looked forward to their weekly gatherings at the Atlantic Host to discuss the affairs of the day.
There will not be any visitation. A Celebration of Life will take place in the coming weeks at Holy Family Church with a reception to follow – further details to be confirmed.
The family are grateful to the staff at the Robert L. Knowles Veterans’ Unit for the care they provided Elmer in his final years. Donations in memory of Elmer may be made to Robert L. Knowles Veterans’ Unit – please make cheques payable to “Robert L. Knowles Veterans’ Unit” and mailed to: 795 Champlain Street, Bathurst, NB, Canada E2A 4M8. Please be sure to include your return mailing address to receive a copy of your income tax receipt. Alternatively, donations can be made to the Parkinson Society Canada.
Arrangements are in the care of Elhatton’s Funeral Home (www.elhatton.com), Bathurst.
