It is with great sorrow that the family of Vincent John Whelton, of Bathurst, New Brunswick, announce his death, which took place on March 10, 2009 at the Chaleur Regional Hospital in Bathurst, after a brief illness. Vincent J. Whelton, Q.C., was born in the farming community of Black Rock, N.B., in 1921, the tenth child of Edward and Mary (Thompson) Whelton, who went on to have a family of seventeen children. He received his early education in Black Rock and high school in Caraquet and Chatham. He served four years overseas with the RCAF during World War II, celebrating VE Day in England on his 24th birthday, May 8, 1945. He returned to Canada and attended St. Thomas University, ultimately graduating from the University of New Brunswick Law School, Saint John, in 1951 and was admitted to the Bar in the same year. While at Law School, he met his prospective bride, Saint John native, Margaret Cullinan over a card game in her parents’ home, and their romance blossomed and continued, (and included many games of cribbage, 45s and bridge) through 57 years of married life. Their lives revolved around their love, their family and their faith. They “went west” to Edmonton, lasting just long enough to realize that their ties to the East and family were too strong to stay there. In 1953, they moved back to Bathurst, where Vince put up his “shingle”. He practiced privately, then joined forces with Eugene McGinley, J. George Chiasson, and Jacques DesJardins. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1975. Active in his community, Vince served as a town councillor for five years, and was mayor of Bathurst from 1961 to 1963. He was the first president of the Gloucester (County) Bar Association, and served as Deputy Magistrate for a six year period. He was a charter member of the Bathurst Junior Chamber of Commerce, past Grand Knight of Council 1935 Knights of Columbus and a Fourth Degree Knight. Vince was also associated with the Herman J. Good V.C. Branch No. 18 Royal Canadian Legion, 640 Chaleur Squadron RCAF Association, and years ago, was involved with the Bathurst Curling Club. He dabbled in Real Estate and Mining. Although he retired from his practice in 1985, he remained active as a Justice of the Peace, and as a Deputy Clerk of the Court, adjudicating Small Claims matters. He then had the time to demonstrate his farming roots through his love of gardening. He gardened as he lived, with joy, kindness, and gentleness, as well as vision and purpose. He was also able to nurture his interest in theology and philosophy through reading, meditation, and prayer. Sunday evenings usually found him and Margaret at the Whelton homestead in Black Rock, surrounded by the family he cherished, where all exchanged wit, wisdom, and gales of laughter over their shared favourite pastime - playing 45s. Vincent also shared his love of life with treasured friends, and his humour was a welcome addition at many gatherings whether they were card games, fishing expeditions, or spirited debates. Vincent is survived by his wife, Margaret and children, Mary (Varouje) Kouyoumdjian of Moncton, Bernard of Bathurst, Stephen (Suzelle Guitard) of Bathurst, and Elizabeth (Dale McMeekin) of Halifax as well as grandchildren, Aram and Raffi Kouyoumdjian, and Melissa Sue Whelton and Cynthia (Francois) Godin. He was predeceased by his infant son, Brian, and by his son, Vincent, Jr. in 1992. He is also survived by his siblings, Dorothy Whelton, Mildred Wilbur, Caroline Landry, Bernadine Riordon, Joseph Whelton, John Whelton, and Mary Lewis, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers, Bedford, Willard, George, Byron, Edward, and Donald, as well as sisters, Nora, Nina, and Helen. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March l5, 2009 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm at the Elhatton Funeral Home, St. George St., Bathurst. Funeral Mass for Vincent will be on Monday, March l6, 2009 at 2 pm from the Sacred Heart Cathedral, St. Andrew St., Bathurst. (www.elhatton.com) Donations may be made to the Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Sacred Heart Cathedral Heating fund or a favorite charity.