A former deputy mayor, RCMP veteran and community volunteer has died. Michael Jarvis was originally from Plaster Rock and spent about 15 years in the village following his retirement from the force. He was 69
Plaster Rock Mayor Tom Eagles said Jarvis was elected to council in 2004 and became the deputy mayor in 2006. He was also an active volunteer in Plaster Rock.
"He was on many boards, he was a member of the Lion's club and the Baptist church," Eagles recalled. "He was a great volunteer."
Eagles grew up alongside members of the Jarvis family and noted Michael was the son of Second World War veteran Roy Jarvis. During his years in Plaster Rock Jarvis penned his father's wartime story in the historical fiction book, G-3105, the story of Gunner Royden Douglas Jarvis 1939 – 1945.
Eagles said Jarvis was proud of that service and was dedicated participant in Remembrance Day services in the community on Nov. 11.
"He was part of our parade", the mayor said.
Eagles said Jarvis had more than 30 years of service with the RCMP. The obituary states Sgt. Jarvis was stationed in southern Ontario as well as at the RCMP headquarters in Ottawa and travelled across Canada and the world in that role.
"But he was more than a Mountie," says the obituary.
Following his retirement in 2002, Jarvis returned to live in his hometown of Plaster Rock, although he and his wife Carol had lived in Fredericton in recent years.
In addition to being a loving member of his family, Jarvis was the recipient of a police Olympic volleyball gold medal from his RCMP service. He also coached middle school boys' volleyball at Tobique Valley Middle High School where he was known as "Sarg".
Jarvis was a volunteer with the Donald Fraser Memorial School breakfast program, assistant superintendent of the Plaster Rock Community Cemetery and a member of the Plaster Rock United Baptist Church.
His obituary adds he loved music, gardening, golf and world travel.
After moving to Fredericton, Jarvis and his wife cruised the rivers of Europe, as well as oceans around the world. Just before the pandemic, they sailed from Santiago, Chile to Los Angeles.
An avid golfer, Jarvis was a member of the Kingswood Golf Course in Fredericton where he enjoyed playing regularly.
Jarvis is survived by Carol, his wife of 48 years, as well as a son, David, and daughter, Jennifer, and a brother and sister, Leslie and Brenda.
He was predeceased by his parents Roy and Maxine, a sister, Carolyn and infant brother.
A celebration of life service will be held at Grace Memorial Baptist Church in Fredericton on Monday, June 27 at 2 p.m. Burial will take place at the Plaster Rock Community Cemetery at a later date.
Corrine Fitzherbert | The Victoria Star / Bugle