Richard William "Rick" Delbridge

Richard William "Rick" Delbridge, P.Ag. - 66, of Kentville. Rick passed away in Valley Regional Hospital on May 8, 2015 surrounded by love. He was born in Truro, on July 16, 1948, to the late Lawrence "Larry" and E. Marion (Macphail) Delbridge.  Rick was a loving, devoted and proud family man and is survived by his beloved wife, Shelly (Orser); daughter, Christine and her partner Fabio Sigona, Burlington, Ontario; son, David and his wife Jean and precious granddaughter Evelyn, Tainan, Taiwan. Evelyn brought much laughter and sunshine to all of us in these last few weeks. He is also survived by brother, Lawrie (Shannon) Delbridge, Halifax; sisters-in-law, Tanya Gagnon, Dartmouth; Pam (Scott) Harvey, Fredericton; brother-in-law, Greg Orser, Calgary; nieces and nephews in Nova Scotia, Ontario, New Brunswick, Alberta and Massachusetts; cousins in the US and Mexico. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by Shelly’s parents, Dr. Gerald and Pauline Orser; Greg’s wife, Cheryl Orser; aunts, Doris (Delbridge) Street and Catherine (Macphail) Jackson. He loved his family, his work, his friends, his Expos, recently the Blue Jays, cooking, professional soccer, and cruising the world with Shelly. Rick grew up in Truro, spending his summers at the family cottage at Shortts Lake, NS, and later shared many good times at the Orser cottage at Davidson Lake, NB. He was educated in Truro schools, attended the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, graduated from McGill University (MacDonald Campus) in 1969 with a BSc in Agriculture (Plant Pathology) and began work immediately at the Kentville Research Station. As a new graduate he was mentored by Dr. Ken Harrison and proudly served as extension plant pathologist for the NS Department of Agriculture for 31 years. In 2000, the government of the day eliminated the Extension Branch, but Rick still wanted to work, so he established Delbridge Disease Management to continue offering his plant disease diagnostic and monitoring services to the agri-food community of the province. In this new venture, he worked closely with specialists at Perennia, the Provincial agency that became responsible for agricultural extension. Often the bearer of bad news, he was continually humbled and inspired by the resilience of the farmers and producers with whom he worked. Rick generously shared his knowledge and was most comfortable walking the fields and kneeling, with his glasses on top of his head, leaf in hand, to get his own microscopic look. He was honoured with the Distinguished Agrologist and Distinguished Life Member Awards by the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists, and the Certificate of Honorary Membership by Horticulture Nova Scotia. A dedicated volunteer, over the years Rick had been involved with Kentville Jaycees, Glooscap Curling Club, Kentville Minor Hockey and Minor Soccer, and Canadian Diabetes Association. We have been supported by family and a strong circle of friends over the past several years, who have nourished our bodies and spirits, and for which we are forever grateful. Rick and family also want to thank the caring and dedicated medical team who supported him through this journey. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2015 in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, where the funeral service, followed by a reception, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 14, 2015, Reverend Cathy Pharo officiating. A private family burial will take place in the Elm Grove Cemetery, Steam Mill. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, Valley Hospice Foundation, or charity of choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville.