Obituary of Irwin M. RUTTLE

RUTTLE, Irwin Moxley Supervising Principal of Fort Henry Schools 1947-1978 At Kingston General Hospital on Friday, May 13, 2016, Irwin Moxley Ruttle, in his 102nd year. Predeceased in 2011 by his beloved wife of 67 years, Doris Irene Bonser. Loving father of Carol (David Abbey) of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, David of Kingston and Brenda of Kingston. Dear grandfather of Colin Ruttle (Lisa) and Jason Ruttle, both of Whitehorse, Yukon and Heather Abbey (Sam Tipewan) of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Also survived by his sister Inez Ruttle of Ottawa and 13 great-grandchildren. Predeceased by his parents Elmer Ruttle & Mabel Kilfoyle, brother Orville (the late Isobel) and granddaughter Lori Laliberte (the late Gerald Laliberte). Irwin was born in Ottawa on December 13, 1914 and earned his teaching credentials at Ottawa Normal School. He taught in remote, one-room rural schools for three years before becoming the principal of Eganville Public School. During World War II, he served as a Lieutenant in the Special Branch, Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserves. Irwin and Irene married in 1944 and moved to Kingston two years later. Irwin found his niche in 1947 when he was hired as the principal of the small elementary school at Barriefield Army Camp. For the next 31 years he applied his exceptional organizational and leadership skills as his job expanded until his charge included Lundy's Lane, Niagara Park and Batoche Avenue schools on Canadian Forces Base Kingston. In retirement he became active in several local organizations including the Frontenac County Schools Museum and Kingston Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society. The Kingston district Retired Teachers of Ontario honoured his many years of contributions by naming their exemplary service award after him and in 2015 he received a Distinguished Member Award from the provincial Retired Teachers of Ontario. The family will receive friends at the JAMES REID FUNERAL HOME, 1900 John Counter Boulevard, on Tuesday, May 17, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Funeral service will be held in the Chapel on Wednesday, May 18 at 1:30 pm, with Reverend Nancy Clarke officiating. Following the interment at Cataraqui Cemetery, all are invited to a reception in the James Reid Reception Centre. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made payable to: Frontenac County Schools Museum (please print "Endowment Fund" on Memo portion of your cheque), or the charity of your choice, in Mr. Ruttle's memory.