Wigglesworth remembered as author/community leader

Noted Queens County author-historian Armand Wigglesworth died in Liverpool on Sunday, July 20. He was 89.

Wigglesworth (known as Wiggy to his friends) was a long-time columnist with this newspaper; starting in 1936 at the age of 17.

World War II intervened in his writing career and it wasn’t until 1983 that he reprised his role as a columnist for The Advance when he retired to Summerville Centre after a successful civil service career.

Besides his well-read column “Off the Cuff” and sports column he was also the author of a series of books on the history of Queens County called Anecdotes of Queens County.

He was a World

War II veteran and followed his wartime service with 50 years in the Militia and ended his career as Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the 84th Field Battery (RCA) of Yarmouth, N.S. in 2005. He compiled a long list of awards and decorations during his military career.

He was extremely active in community life as well, serving in Queens County as a valuable volunteer on many boards and groups.

In recent years, Wiggleworth continued to receive significant honours from the community.

In 2002, the Research Centre of the new Thomas Raddall Library in Liverpool was named after him. As recently as a few weeks ago, he served as Parade Marshal for this year’s Privateer Days Parade.

Former Advance editor Vernon Oickle described Wiggleworth’s death as a loss not only for this paper’s readers but for the entire Queens County community. “It was a privilege to work with Armand throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, to get to know him as a writer, as a researcher, as a historian and as a son of Liverpool who cared deeply for his community,” said Oickle. “Through his writings in the Advance and subsequent books, Armand introduced today’s generations to those from past eras and it was a challenge he embraced with gusto and enthusiasm. Armand’s contributions to this part of Nova Scotia are immeasurable. Surely, his family, friends, colleagues and the readers of this paper, will miss him. The Advance will not be the same without him,” he said.

Region of Queens Mayor John Leefe said Wigglesworth was always ready to lend a hand to his community.

“If I were going to try to sum up his life with one word …that word would be service; whether it was for his country or community,” said Leefe.

Wigglesworth is survived by his wife, Audrey MacDonald and daughters Jane Snailham, Halifax, and Joanne Lavers of Ladysmith, B.C.: Grandsons Scott Snailham, (Kelly), Halifax, Sean Lavers, Calgary and Matthew Lavers (Dionne) Lethbridge, Alberta. Three great-grandsons; Lauchlan Gordon Lavers, Calgary, and Karson James Lavers and Brodie David Lavers, Lethbridge, Alberta. He was pre-deceased by his first wife Mildred M. (McWilliam) and second wife, Noma E. (Taylor). A legion service was scheduled for July 24. from Chandlers’ Funeral Chapel, Liverpool. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 25, from Trinity Anglican Church.

Online condolences may be made to www.chandlersfuneral.com