Item
Obituary of Robert E. Armstrong
St. Croix Courier
Feb 12, 1931
Former Editor of “Beacon” Dies in Saint John. R. E. Armstrong Held Many Positions of Importance During Long and Busy Life.
A life of devoted service to his country was brought to a close in the early hours of Tuesday morning by the death in Saint John of R. E. Armstrong, former journalist and secretary of the Saint John Board of Trade, who passed away at his home, 211 Queen Street, following a lengthy illness. He was for 25 years a resident of SA, where he edited the “Beacon” and where he was an active and highly respected citizen. During his residence there he identified himself with every progressive movement and filled positions of the highest honor in the community, having served as a member of the town council and board of school trustees, and also as mayor. He took a deep interest in the welfare of the Presbyterian church there and was one of the elders. In 1900 he was a candidate for the House of Commons but was defeated by the late G. W. Ganong, who was later to become Lieutenant-Governor of the province. He represented Charlotte County at the first Liberal convention in 1896 and in 1903 was honored by appointment to the fisheries commission.
Mr. Armstrong who was in his 74th year, was born in Saint John , son of the late Robert Armstrong, and was educated in the schools of that city. His career began with the Saint John Globe, where he was employed first as an apprentice printer, later as foreman and finally as a member of the editorial staff. In 1889 he removed to St. Andrews and assumed control of the Beacon, which he published successfully until 1914 when he returned to his native city as secretary of the Board of Trade. During his second period of residence in Saint John he gave himself whole heartedly toward every patriotic endeavour. As secretary of the Board of Trade , he wrote several articles on Saint John and NB which were widely published in the United States and in England. He also served for a time as secretary of the Maritime Board of Trade.
In every activity in which he engaged and in every organization where he held membership he had the high regard of those with whom he was associated and his unfailing courtesy and consideration not only made for himself firm friends, but enabled him to bring to the causes which he sponsored added dignity and appeal. There will be very real sorrow in Mr. Armstrong’s death and the deep sympathy of the community will go out to the bereaved. Mr. Armstrong is survived by his wife, formerly Miss Margaret Paterson of this city, and by one daughter, two sons and three grandchildren. The daughter is Mrs. Randolph W. Churchill, of Hantsport, NB. The sons are R. Fraser Armstrong, superintendent of the Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, ON; and R. Edwin Armstrong of he Canadian Oil Company, residing at the time in Saint John. He also leave three brothers, Christopher Armstrong, of Saint John; Henry Armstrong, of Moncton; and Fred Armstrong, of New Glasgow, NS.
