Obituary of Francis Atkinson

The death of Francis Ewart Atkinson, Q.C. of Fredericton, NB, occurred at Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital on December 13, 2017. Born in Fredericton on the 29th of May, 1925, where he lived all his life. He was the son of the late Ewart C. Atkinson, Q.C. and the late Florence J. Atkinson (Coy). He was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Marguerite Woodland of Australia, his late wife, Catherine Margaret Atkinson (Loane) and his son, Peter Ewart Atkinson. He is survived by his wife, Mary (May) Ann Atkinson (Lloyd); daughters, Karen Leslie Davidge (Brock) of Keswick, NB, Shonn Estelle Martin (Kim) of Waterloo, ON, Beverly Kim Cameron (Ian) of Scarborough, England, Sarah Rose McLeod of Moncton, NB; son, Michael Francis Atkinson (Mary Lee) of Fredericton, NB; daughter-in-law, Kerry Atkinson of Fredericton, NB; step-children, Stephen T. Hendry (Amy) of Ottawa, ON and Sara M. Hendry of Gatineau, QC; eight grandchildren; two step grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Francis was very much devoted to his family and his children and he loved and encouraged all of them in their endeavours, ambitions and successes. He believed that discipline was a form of love and his children profited by same. Francis attended Fredericton schools and graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1947 and a Bachelor of Civil Law in 1949. He was admitted to the Law Society of New Brunswick on June 8th, 1949 and received his Queen’s Counsel in 1966. He practiced law with his father until his father’s death in 1967 and he continued with the practice until his retirement on 16th of December, 2014, for a total of 65 years. He was an honorary life member of the Law Society of New Brunswick and the Canadian Bar Association for which he served a term as President for New Brunswick. He was a life member of the York-Sunbury Law Society, a member of the Saint John Law Society and the American Trial Lawyers Association. Francis served for many years on the Editorial Board of the Canadian Journal of Family Law. He was a life member of the University of New Brunswick Associated Alumni and a honorary member of the Real Estate Board of Fredericton Area Incorporated for which he received long service awards, certificates and pins of recognition of his dedication to the Board. Upon his retirement he was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by the Canadia Bar Association, New Brunswick branch, as “Longest Serving Member of the Canadian Bar Association of New Brunswick.” Francis could never have accomplished his many projects and endeavors if it wasn’t for the 25 years of support of his late wife, Kay, their son, Peter Ewart Atkinson and his family. Catherine Margaret Atkinson loved and brought up the children and her love and devotion to the children greatly contributed to their success. She was a wonderful role model for the children. He also had the assistance of several local and provincial fellow lawyers including Donald J. Stevenson, Q.C. and Julian A.G. Dickson, Q.C. His own personal office staff was vital to his many endeavours. These included Mary McInnis, who worked with him for 40 years, Harry Scott, who worked with him for 39 years and Joel Breau, for 25 years. He was an environmentalist long before it became popular and has enjoyed the results of years of preservation of woodland and the animals and birds that frequent same. He will be remembered as the person who had wild deer and other animals and birds roaming freely on a twelve-acre private home property at the corner of Regent and Montgomery Streets in Fredericton. All the local people, particularly the school children, could enjoy and intimate relationship with the wild deer. Francis and his friends Mark and Sheila Neville enjoyed annual canoeing trip on many of New Brunswick’s rivers. His wife May, his late son Peter and grandson Eric were also enthusiastic canoeist. Francis opened his own personal museum in 1981 under the name Wulastook Museums Incorporated. The museum consists of memorabilia, particularly of New Brunswick. He appreciated the knowledgeable assistance of Derek Purdy in maintaining the museum. He was a member of the New Brunswick Museum Association and the Canadian Museum Association. Francis has often said to his friends how fortunate he was to have his wife, May, join his family in March of 1998. She became an important and integral part of his life and that of his children and grandchildren. May took equal interest and responsibility in assisting Francis in the daily management of his affairs. Visitation will take place at York Funeral Home, 302 Brookside Drive, Fredericton, NB on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. A Memorial Service will be held from York Funeral Home’s T. Gordon MacLeod Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 2 pm with Canon Jon Lownds officiating. Pallbearers are Martin Lloyd, Terry Gallagher, Mark Davidge, Mark Neville, Rod MacKenzie and Joel Breau. Honourary Pallbearers are Madam Justice Barbara Baird, Donald J. Stevenson, Q.C., Mary J. McInnis, Major Robert Burns, Corporal Derek Purdy and Mark Doucette. Interment will take place in Fredericton Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Peter Atkinson Scholarship Fund at the Real Estate Board of Fredericton Area Inc., the Scotchtown United Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com