Obituary of Alonzo Rayborn Blackmore

Alonzo (Lon) R. Blackmore, of Riverview, NB and formerly of Moncton, NB; passed away at The Moncton Hospital surrounded by his family on Sunday, May 3, 2015. Lon was born in Sillikers, NB on August 22, 1924, the second child of Jeremiah (Jed) and Sarah Jane (Johnston) Blackmore. In 1939, the family moved to New Richmond, PQ, and the children enrolled in Black Cape public school. As the system did not permit children to advance in school without a certain proficiency in French, he left school in June 1940 with Grade 8 (New Brunswick) completed. He then went to work in the lumber camps as an assistant scaler and book-keeper. National Registration of all adults was completed on July 15, 1940, and he worked to register the lumber camp personnel. He continued to work in the camps until 1942 when he enlisted in the RCAF. He was initially posted to Saint John, where he took preliminary training in electronics. In early 1943, he was sent to No 1 Wireless School in Montreal, where he trained in advanced electronics. Upon completion of training, he was posted to Dartmouth, NS with 145 Squadron--the Ventura Squadron, operating anti-submarine patrols off the east coast. In February 1944, he was sent overseas on the Louis Pasteur to join 418 Squadron--the city of Edmonton Squadron (flying Mosquito fighters) -- based at RAF Holmsley South. In October 1944, he was posted to RAF Lough Erne, Northern Ireland, with the 422 Squadron (flying Sunderland aircraft) on long distance anti-submarine patrols. By the end of 1944, the squadron had relocated to Pembroke Dock in South Wales where he remained until July 1945 when he returned to Canada. Although he volunteered to serve in the Pacific in the war against Japan, he was home on embarkation leave when the war with Japan ended. On reporting for duty after leave, he reported firstly to Moncton and then to Debert, NS where he assisted in the destruction of advanced electronic equipment until his discharge in October 1945. Following discharge, he completed high school in 5 months at the Veteran's School in Saint John and was accepted in 1946 by Acadia University. He graduated with a B.A. (Honours) in Economics and Mathematics in 1950. Upon Graduation, he enrolled in the Chartered Accountants course with the firm of Crowell, Balcom and Company in Halifax. He completed the course on schedule in 1954. Following a year in industry, he joined the Department of National Revenue--Taxation where he spent four years in Saint John and Ottawa. In 1961, the family moved back to Moncton, where he opened his own accounting office. In 1971, he merged his practice with another local firm, and in 1976, he merged his practice, opening the Atlantic office of Deloitte, Haskins and Sells where he continued as managing partner until his retirement in 1987. Lon was a life member of the New Brunswick Institute of Chartered Accountants and the Nova Scotia Institute of Chartered Accountants and was also past Governor of the Canadian Tax Foundation. As a veteran, he was a 56 year member of the Royal Canadian Legion. In addition, he served as a member of the Board of Governors of Acadia University, as well as being past President of the Moncton Chapter of the Acadia Alumni. He was a member of Probus Club and the Gyro Club. He was a long-time supporter of Bethel Presbyterian Church in Riverview. He was a long-time member of Moncton Golf and Country Club and a life member of Country Meadows Golf Club, and enjoyed golfing at the Carolinas Golf Club in Myrtle Beach for many years. Survived by his wife of 67 years Gladys, and children Carolyn, Ottawa, ON; James (Celeste) Burlington, ON; and Tim of Saint John. Also survived by his grandchildren Jennifer (Jamie Brown), Moncton; Janice, Ottawa, ON; Timothy and Adam, Burlington, ON; step-grandchildren Mishae, Matthew and Curtis Lee, Burlington, ON; and great-grandchildren Ethan, Corben and Caleigh Brown of Moncton. He is also survived by a brother Gary (Grace), Bathurst; as well as many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was predeceased by sisters Hazel and Rolla and by a brother Jeremiah Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be held from Tuttle Brothers and Riverview Memorial Chapel, 214 Pine Glen Rd. Riverview, on Monday, July 27, 2015 at 2:00pm with Rev. Charles Cook officiating. In Lon's memory, donations may be made to Acadia University (Blackmore Family Scholar Bursary) c/o Office of Advancement, 512 Main St. Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, the Friends of the Moncton Hospital Foundation or to a charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to Tuttle Brothers & Riverview Funeral Home 214 Pine Glen Rd. Riverview, NB (506) 857-8564 Service Information Monday, July 27, 2015 2:00pm Tuttle Brothers & Riverview Memorial Chapel, 214 Pine Glen Rd. Riverview, NB Requested Charity Acadia University,Blackmore Family Bursary) Office of Advancement 512 Main St. Wolfville, NS