Ralph John Billingsley

Ralph John Billingsley passed away at the Campbellton Regional Hospital on October 1st at the age of 93 after a short illness.

Prior to his retirement, Ralph was employed for over 40 years at the CNR as a Telegraph Operator, Station Agent and Train Dispatcher.

Ralph was born in New Carlisle, Quebec on July 23, 1919. Ralph was the son of Margaret May (Lemore) and John Billingsley. He leaves to mourn his wife Viola (MacDonald) Billingsley, sons Gary (Margot) of Fredericton, Jack (Kelly) of Toronto, and daughter Susan (Reginald) Chedore of Campbellton. He also leaves his grandchildren Tanya (Charles) Geraghty, Alex (Heather) Billingsley, Lydia (Nick) Billingsley, Meghan Billingsley and Kathryn Billingsley and great-grandchildren Hannah and Noah Geraghty and Jasper and Sage Billingsley, sister Inez Billingsley-Chase of Saint John and brother Maxwell Billingsley of Miramichi, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Ralph was an avid fisherman, fly tyer and lover of the Restigouche River. In 1958 he started tying flies and had no formal training in the art, but excelled to become one of the best-known commercial hair-wing tiers in Canada and the United States.

In 1992 Ralph and his long time fishing and fly tying friend, the late J.C. Comeau, made a movie on tying flies and fly tying materials.

In 1993 Ralph made two solo movies on the art of fly tying. The first of the two movies taught people how to tie the "Silver Rat", "Rusty Rat" and the "Green Highlander". The second movie taught people about tying Dry Flies, Bugs and Bombers.

In 1994, Ralph became a member in "Where the Rivers Meet" The Fly Tyers of New Brunswick collection.

An article written in the 1996 Spring Edition of the Atlantic Salmon Journal recognized Ralph for his contribution to fly tying in New Brunswick and the origination of the "Orange Blossom Special".

In 1997 the Atlantic Salmon Federation / New Brunswick Salmon Council honored Ralph for his major contribution to the sport of angling for Atlantic Salmon in New Brunswick by having distinguished himself in the art of Crafting and Designing Atlantic Salmon flies. Ralph was presented with an award at the 6th Annual Atlantic Salmon Federation / New Brunswick Salmon Council Dinner in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

His favorite river was the Restigouche. It was on this river, at the Red Bank Pool, on June 20, 1983, that he hooked and landed a forty-four pound Atlantic salmon.

Apart from being a skilled fly tyer and angler, he was also an accomplished rod maker, having crafted over 400 rods. For over thirty-five years, Ralph was a freelance guide on the rivers of New Brunswick and Quebec.

The funeral service was held at the Campbellton Rural Cemetery on Thursday October 4th at 2:00 p.m., Reverend Ross Wiseman officiating.

In 1993 Ralph was asked how he would like to be remembered. His response was, "I would like people to remember me as a friend to all." He still felt that way in 2012.