Obituary of F. Rene Quigley

QUIGLEY, Francis “Rene”: It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the passing of Francis “Rene” Quigley, 67, of Harrietsfield, on Tuesday, January 8, 2008. Rene was born in Port Hastings, NS, to the late Francis Emmett Quigley and the late Ethel Christine (McNeil) Quigley. The family moved to Halifax in 1946. In 1956, Rene, at a tender age, went to work at the Moirs Chocolate Plant in Halifax. In 1957, the employees joined the Bread, Cake, Cracker, Candy, Biscuit, and Confectionery International Union Local 446, which later became known as the Bakery Confectionery Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 446. The union certification started Rene’s career in the labour movement. He was elected local union president. He then went on to become the Business Agent, where the International Union recognized his achievements and in 1987 he was hired as International Representative for Atlantic Canada. He retired in June of 2002. Throughout Rene’s union career, he hosted radio and TV programs, “Labour Speaks” on CHFXFM and “In the Working Place”, Dartmouth Cable, with his wife Sandra by his side. He was President of the Halifax Dartmouth District Labour Council, Past Chair of the Editorial Board, and Secretary Treasurer of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour, member of the NS Labour Relations Board, and the NSFL Board of Directors of the United Way. He was also the NDP Candidate for Halifax Atlantic three consecutive terms, represented employees at Workers Compensation, Human Rights and Arbitration Hearings, held annual bowling and dart tournaments to raise money for the Big Brothers & Big Sisters. At the time of his passing, Rene was the King Lion of the Spryfield Lions Club for the past 4 years. He played a leading role in the building of the playground at the Lions Rink and Recreation Centre in Spryfield, along with the major renovations at the Rec. Centre. Rene currently held the position of President of the Nova Scotia Federation Union of Retirees and was a member of the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada. He was a man of true trade union principles and values, always purchasing union made goods and services. Getting into a discussion with Rene would end with a membership either to the BCTGM Union or the NDP. He was an advocate of the human rights of people. Rene loved life, his family and friends, and so many were special to him. Rene is survived by his best friend and loving wife, Sandra (Whitehead), Harrietsfield, daughters, Karen (Paul LaVigne), Lawrencetown, and Trina (Brendan Boymook), Alberta, his son, Troy (Diane Bosdet), Herring Cove, his grandchildren, Sabrina, Samantha, and Nicholas Quigley, Kyle and Haley Boymook, his brother, Tom (Yvonne), Alberta, sisters, Jeanette Delaney, Prospect and Mildred (Tim) Quigley, Toronto, as well as many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend our sincere thank-you to Clarence Creelman, Rene’s buddy, for being with him on January 8. A special thank you goes out to all the individuals who helped Rene in his time of need in Bedford. God Bless all of you. Resting at J. Albert Walker Funeral Home (2005) Ltd., 149 Herring Cove Road, Spryfield, NS (477.5601), where visitation will be held on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 10 AM from St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, Spryfield, with Fr. Rob Arsenault as celebrant. A reception will be held following Mass at the Lions Recreational Centre, Drysdale Road, Spryfield. A private family interment will take place in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville, NS. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate remembrances in memory of Rene to Big Brothers & Big Sisters or to the Spryfield Lions Parent and Tot Program. Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.walkerfh.com