IN LOVING MEMORY
Carl Ashley Boyd
August 11, 1930 – March 18, 2005
Here Carl is a re-cap of your journey as we remember you on your 90th. August 11th, 1930, Laurel and Helen Boyd delivered a son, Carl Ashley, brother to a little sister Phyllis, in Allisonville, just north of Wellington in Prince Edward County. Grandfather James Wesley Boyd and wife came to Allisonville in the early 1880’s, owning and operating a general store, which was passed on to Carl and Phyllis’ parents, Laurel and Helen. Carl attended Bowerman’s one room Public School and then Wellington High School for 4 years. Because Wellington did not offer all the math Carl wanted, his final year of grade 12 was completed in Belleville at BCIVS graduating with honours in 1948. In the meantime Laurel and Helen, Carl’s parents produced two sets of twins, Max and Maxine in 1944 and John and Joan in 1945. Carl came home for weekends to help at the store, with all kinds of chores. He worked part time at Lipsons’ in Wellington on straw bales for Hind and Dauch Paper Company in Trenton. August 19, 1948 Carl was proud to be accepted to Queen’s University in Kingston. He received a Prince Edward County Bursary of $200.00, only 2 were given out to go to queen’s. As a side line Carl’s fees to go to Queen’s were $328.00. He continued his studies there for 2 years in civil engineering. But in 1950 short of graduating, Carl left Queen’s against his Mother’s wishes to join the Department of Highways. He worked as a construction supervisor for the Ministry of Transportation and Communication. In the meantime Carl met a young lady from Port Hope named Hope Currie and they married February 6, 1954. Carl was to always be a County boy! His passion for roads and love for what he believed in lead him at the age of 30 to be hired by Harvey McFarland in Picton as control engineer. McFarland Construction was one of the largest firms in Ontario and in 1964 Carl was named Chief Engineer of the company. Over the years to follow Carl worked closely with Mayor McFarland and Harvey Jr. representing the company across Ontario bidding on contracts and with a handshake Carl’s word was accepted. He was a man that put his heart into his job and was always respected by the people he associated with. Carl never had a bad word to say about anyone! On the home front Carl and Hope were blessed with 2 children, a daughter Kimberly born December 7, 1958 and a son Andrew born June 5, 1962. Life at 65 Queen Street was busy and always eventful! Carl spent long hours at work and in 1978 was named General Manager of McFarland Construction. Having served as a Director of Ontario Road Builders Association for 6 years, in 1979 Carl was named President of the ORBA. Carl took all his positions seriously and never backed down from responsibility. He was always respected in the industry! Carl’s community life was extensive, Trustee on Prince Edward County Board of Education, Director of Children’s Aid Society, President of Kiwanis Club, Commodore of Prince Edward Yacht Club, Commodore of Prince Edward Power Club. His family time revolved around his kids Kim and Andrew especially Christmas and Halloween, boating at Prinyer’s Cove, Adolphustown, Sandy Beach and Alexandria Bay, curling, snowmobiling and dancing with Hopie plus a few ski trips to Lake Louise and Europe and Grey Cup parties in Toronto and Montreal. Always surrounded by friends, 65 Queen Street and the boat would become his refuse from work. In the mid 80’s life changed for Carl, his Hopie passed away, his children were becoming adults and his position at McFarland’s ended. Queen Street was sold and Carl moved over to Belleville, sharing a few years with Jean Hughes, who has since passed on. In Carl’s final years he had gone through some health problems and returned to spend the last 5 years at The Fraser House on Queen Street, 2 doors from his beloved homestead at 65 Queen! Carl was a quiet man and his quiet passing is in keeping with who he was! We are proud as family to have shared him as a son, brother, father, uncle, grandfather and great human being! For those of you her today, thank you for coming to share in Carl’s life. All of you have your own memories, please feel free to share them! Thanks for sharing a special man with us! Special thanks from the family to Janet Howard and her late husband who provided a home with love and care to Carl in his last years! Carl on your journey you crossed all of our paths for a reason! You were deeply loved, respected, appreciated and admired for the energy, the courage and the strength in meeting life’s challenges. Your sun has set over Picton Harbour! Joan Boyd