September 16, 1927 – February 21, 2014
With sad hearts the family share the passing of Orton William Elder Rumley at Manitoulin Health Centre, Mindemoya on February 21, 2014. Orton was born in Silver Water, Ontario on September 16, 1927 and was in his 86th year. Beloved husband to Ruth Rumley; nee Richards, for 57 years. Loving father of Eldene Rumley and fiancé Brian Shepard, Mary Lou Reynolds and husband Alan, and Morris Rumley. Loving father-in-law of Frances Willis, sadly predeceased by son (William) Bill. Cherished grandfather of Gye and wife Bianca, Devin, Brett, (William) B.J., Dawn, Jennifer, and Wilfred. Dear great-grandfather of Wyatt, Hunter, Journey, Joey, Brittney, and Mia. Special uncle to many nieces and nephews. Lovingly remembered by sisters Margaret Burch and Sheila Marshall. Predeceased by parents William and Margaret Rumley, sisters Janet Sigudson, May Radford, Yvonne Vardy, Nelda Armstrong and by brothers James (Jim) and Roy Rumley. A long time resident on Rockville Road outside Mindemoya, Orton retired in 1989 after 12 years as lighthouse keeper with the Canadian Coast Guard. Lighthouse keeping began for Orton as a young man with his father on Great Duck Island and Cape Robert and was a career shared with his younger brother Jim, one time keeper on Great Duck Island. First Gros Cap Reef, then Lonely Island, Slate Islands, Trowbridge Island and back to Lonely Island with his wife Ruth alongside him as assistant lighthouse keeper. The business of keeping light stations required a skilled knowledge of diesel engines, compressors, radio and electronics, timely weather reporting, and a singular dedication. Orton was a licensed automotive mechanic and an accomplished welder. He operated a garage in Mindemoya and then one at his home, where he provided exceptional service to the local community. He could turn his hand to a variety of tasks and smilingly referred to himself as a jack-of-all-trades. Orton’s innate mechanical ability; especially with diesel engines, was a great benefit to the K.V.P. Company; later the E. B. Eddy Forest Products Ltd., and in the 1960s he worked on heavy forestry equipment in Jerome Mines. He served on the school board, and was the individual people turned to for first aid in that isolated community. With his calm demeanor, caring manner and gentle hands he truly missed his calling as a family physician. Prior to meeting the love of his life Ruth and their marrying in 1956, he worked in the engine department of the freighters on the Great Lakes. He never seemed to stray too far from water, always had a boat and outboard motor to go fishing with and would clean and cook the catch for his family. His Sunday morning pancake breakfasts were the stuff family stories are made of. A talented musician, Orton played violin, guitar and clarinet. The love of music was a family legacy, his maternal great-grandfather Benjamin Smith was a Professor of Music at the University of Dublin. An avid gardener, he enjoyed the annual cycle of planting, caring for and reaping the produce from his vegetable garden, raspberry bushes and fruit trees on his 50 acre hobby farm. As at home in the woodlot as the garden, the fall of 2013 saw him cutting, using his own custom-made wood splitter, and stacking his winter wood. Orton was first and foremost a gentleman. He was a devoted husband, a caring, loving father, a valued brother, a good neighbour, a great dancer and someone you could count on in your corner. Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts and we are never the same. He will be truly missed. The family wish to extend their gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff of the Manitoulin Health Centre, Mindemoya for their caring support in his final days. Orton was a long standing member of first, the Gore Bay and then, the Little Current congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses and strongly devoted to his faith. Honouring Orton’s wishes, a memorial committal service will be held at the Silver Water Cemetery in the spring.
