Ralph E. Hennigar

Ralph Emerson Hennigar, 83 died peacefully surrounded by family in South Shore Regional Hospital on March 30, 2016. Ralph was the son of the late Ralph Hennigar and Marion (Smith) Hennigar.

Ralph grew up in Chester and received a Bachelor of Engineering jointly from Acadia University and Nova Scotia Technical College in 1954. He worked for 5 years in the electrical research and design field with Ontario Hydro in Toronto and throughout Southern Ontario. He returned to Nova Scotia and received a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University in 1961 and set-up a law practice in Chester. In 1961 he met and married his friend, lover and business partner of 44 years, Margaret (Freeman) Hennigar. Marg died in December 2006.

In 1963 Ralph and Marg moved into an 18-room Victorian home in Mahone Bay affectionately known by friends and family as the “big house”. In 1968 the couple purchased the Lunenburg Progress Enterprise, then a small community newspaper that included a printing plant. In 1972 the couple also purchased the Bridgewater Bulletin and for the next quarter century they would buy, sell, start and stop community newspapers. Ralph began to retire in 1982, leaving his law practice and putting his legal and engineering skills to work full-time in the newspaper industry.

Ralph and Marg were avid boaters. Their first boat was built in Mahone Bay, and christened “Satori” a Japanese Buddhist term for awakening. Ralph and his family spent many happy years with friends cruising Mahone Bay and enjoying its many islands.

Ralph was a Mason. Over the years Ralph served his community in numerous ways, including as councilor and deputy mayor in the Town of Mahone Bay, as a board member of the South Shore Regional School Board., and the Lunenburg Hospital Board.

Ralph had a brilliant intellect and enjoyed learning and challenging himself. He had an incredible sense of humour and was well known for his wit and wry smile. No one enjoyed his humour more than he did.

Ralph and Marg were also great travelers … together they visited over 115 countries. Ralph managed a few more travel adventures after Marg died with his daughter Lynn.

After Marg died Ralph surprised his family by staying engaged with his community. The Mahone Bay Centre helped him stay connected through the SCANS program, he also attended the Unity Group, the Chowder Club, concerts, and regularly took himself and others to lunch. Ralph was blessed with many wonderful friends, lunching weekly with Ron Veinot and spending time with his dear friend Lyn Cash.

Ralph is survived by his daughter Lynn; son David, and daughter-in-law Tina (Rafuse); grandsons Justin, Evan and Colin; sister, Elizabeth (Hennigar) Hodges, Chester, and a numerous nieces and nephews.

Ralph had a strong sense of place and believed in supporting the organizations, institutions and even individuals who are the backbone of any community. While much of Ralph’s advice and support is largely unknown he did contribute in a more public way to a number of organizations including, the Canadian and Atlantic Community Newspaper Associations, the Mahone Islands Conservation Association, Trinity United Church, South Shore Regional Hospital, the Mahone Bay Centre, the Mahone Bay Pool, and the Margaret Hennigar Public Library.

Funeral arrangements under the direction of Mahone Funeral Home, P.O. Box 200, 32 Parish St., Mahone Bay, 902-624-8241. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.mahonefuneral.ca. Donations in Ralph’s memory may be made to the Mahone Bay Centre or the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore.

Words of remembrance at 4pm, followed by a Celebration of Life event to be held 4 to 6pm on Saturday, April 9th at the Mahone Bay Centre, 45 School St, Mahone Bay.