The family of the Hon. Wendell W. Meldrum LLB, Q.C., D.C.L,
of Sackville, New Brunswick. wish to announce his passing at
age 88. Wendell passed away peacefully at his home
after a long decline in his health on Wednesday the 13th day of
February 2013.
He was born on the 27th
day of June 1924 in Simpson's Corner, Lunenburg County, Nova
Scotia. He was a son of the late Hazen and Bernice (Simpson)
Meldrum.
He enlisted in the RCAF on the day he
graduated from Bridgewater High School in 1941. He served as a Pilot
with the Ferry Command for the duration of the Second World
War. After the War he attended Dalhousie Law School,
graduating in 1948. Immediately following graduation he
moved to Sackville, New Brunswick where he began the practice of law.
Sackville was his residence for the remainder of his
life.
During his many active years in
Sackville he served as president of the Kinsmen Club, the
Rotary Club, the Sackville Golf Club and the Royal
Canadian Legion. He participated at all levels of
many other church and community service groups and
activities including a number of years as leader of the Sackville
United Scout Troop. He was a farmer at heart and an avid
golfer, enjoying many years and friends in the Maritime Senior Golf
Association.
He joined the Liberal
government at the request of then premier Louis J. Robichaud, as
Attorney General in 1964. He also served with the Liberal
government as Minister of Justice, Minister of
Health and Minister of Education. He was a motivating force
behind the Equal Opportunity Program. Following his
resignation as an MLA he practiced law again briefly in Sackville
before being appointed a Judge in 1976. Judge
Meldrum retired for health reasons nearly 20 years later.
He will be dearly missed by Dorothy, his wife for 69
years ; sons Wynn (Sharon), Kirk (Mona), all of Sackville; 4
grandchildren, Allyson (Craig) Burgess, Hilden, Nova
Scotia, Wendy Meldrum, Sackville, New Brunswick, Sara
(Stephen) Youngner, John's Island, South Carolina and Mark (Colleen),
Foam Lake, Saskatchewan; 3 great grandchildren, Andrew Burgess, Karlee
Burgess and Brady Senior; as well as his sister Cecile
(Lloyd) Marshall, Douglas, NB.
He was
predeceased by brothers Vernon and Hazen and his sister Ina
Rowe.
The family wish that you
remember him for the love of his family, his logical mind, his respect
for others and his wonderful sense of humour.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Jones
Funeral Home, 70 Bridge St, Sackville, NB (506-364-1300).
Funeral Service will be held on Monday the 18th day
of February 2013 at 2 pm at the Middle Sackville Baptist
Church with Pastor Vernon Vickruck officiating. For
those unable to be in attendance, the funeral service will be
available online at www.jonesfuneralhome.ca after the funeral.
Anyone wishing to make a charitable donation in
Wendell Meldrum's memory, may do so by donating to the Sackville
Memorial Hospital Foundation or the charity of their choice.