Obituary of Basil George Hawkins

It is with sadness our family announces the passing of Basil George Hawkins, age 86, on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital.  He was born in Douglas, NB to the late Arvard and Vera (Brewer) Hawkins on March 20, 1935.  Basil was predeceased by his loving wife of 56 years, Joan (Sharp) Hawkins (2011); sister, Eileen Williams; one sister in law, Arlene (Sharp) Goguen; two brothers in law, Irvine Williams and John Torunski.

Basil is survived by his second love, Nancy Lockhard; his son, Brent Hawkins (Elva); his daughter, Penny Pringle (Ralph); grandchildren, Melissa Bradley (Cody), Christina Proulx (Jon), Shane Pringle (Pammy) and Cara Pringle (Lynnsey); seven great grandchildren, Emmerson and Everly Bradley, Cooper and Kinley Pringle, Marleigh and Chase Pringle and the youngest, Mackenzie Proulx (just three weeks old); sister, Maxine Torunski; brothers in law, Dale (Eldena) Sharp, Bill (Linda) Sharp and Jerry Goguen; several nieces and nephews. 

Basil started his working career at CFB Gagetown as a carpenters helper and from there went to UNB Maintenance Department.  He was an entrepreneur at heart and started doing small engine repairs in his garage in 1965.  In 1966, he and Joan founded Hawkins Equipment and Rentals.  He was the first licensed small engine mechanic in New Brunswick.  Hawkins Equipment soon became one of the first snowmobile dealers in New Brunswick and to this day proudly the oldest Polaris Dealer in Canada.  Basil and Joan loved to travel in their motor home after semi retiring in 1987 and travelled much of Canada and the United States.  Basil loved hunting and raised Brittany Spaniels.  He spent much of his leisure time in the Alders hunting Woodcock. In 2015, Dad wrote a book “My Lucky Life-So Far”, documenting his first eighty years.  He and Nancy have spent the last seven years side by side, loving and taking care of one another.  Dad had many, many hunting buddies, most of whom became life long friends.  We are extremely thankful to all of them for their tremendous support over the years.

Special thanks to Doctors Higgs, Smith and Khaleduzzeman, nurses and staff at the DECRH, for their excellent care and compassion.

A Celebration of Basil’s Life will take place at York Funeral Home, 302 Brookside Drive on Monday, August 23, 2021 from 6-9 pm. A Private Family Graveside Service will take place in Douglas Rural Cemetery.  For those who wish, remembrances may be made to the IWK or the Chalmers Hospital Foundation.  Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com