The death occurred at his home at Lower Monatgue on Monday last of Mr. Roger Dart Westaway, a worthy member of one of the best known and most highly respected families in that section of the province.Mr. Westaway has passed the four score mark but had always enjoyed excellent health, until three days before his death when he was seized with an illness which soon developed into pneumonia. The end came rather suddenly but peacefully and he retained his mental faculties until the very last.
Mr. Westaway was born at Albion Bay on December 24, 1851, the son of Richard Westaway, shipbuilder and his wife, Mary Creed.His ancestors on his father's side came to the Island from the River Dart, Devonshire, England, many years ago. His mother's people were of United Empire Loyalist stock and direct descendants of Rev. Mr. Allen, one of the Pilgrim Fathers who came out to America in the Mayflower in 1620*. Another ancestor was Rev. Thomas Prince, the first Minister to preach on Brookline, MA**.
The Creeds first came to Prince Edward Island in 1767 from Salem, Mass., one of the family making his summer home at St. Andrew's Point.The late Roger Dart Westaway lived for the past fifty years on the old homestead, Ryefield Farm, at St. Andrew's Point, which had been on the family for more than one hundred years.
He followed farming all his life and for about fifty years was keeper of the lighthouse adjoining his residence. He was a man of high personal character, quiet and unassuming in manner, and possessing the heart which won for him many warm friends.
There are left to fondly cherish the memory of a loving husband and father, his widow, nee Sarah Martin of Belle River and the following sons and daughters: Joseph J. Westaway, C. S., Calgary; Rev. Richard J. Westaway, Calgary; Dr. William Westaway, New York; Mrs. (Dr.) William MacDougall, Boston; Mrs. (Dr.) James P. MacCue (sic), Hudson, Mass.; Mrs. Arthur W. Whidden, Rosindale, Mass.; Mrs. W. T. Wellner, Brookline, Mass. and formerly of Charlottetown.
Mrs. Wellner, her husband and her brother, Rev. Mr. Westaway, were with their father when he passed away.
He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren and one great grandchild, two brothers, Nathaniel Westaway, Albion Bay, and Capt. James Westaway of Lower Montague, formerly of Connecticut, and three sister, Mrs. Damaris Aitken, Lower Monatgue; Mrs. W. L. Poole, Montague; and Mrs. (Dr.) Victor E. Stafford, Jamaica Plain, Mass.
Mr. Westaway was a member of the Anglican Church and he will be laid to rest in the cemetery at Georgetown today, services to be conducted at the home by Rev. Ewen McDougall and in the Trinity Anglican Church by Rev. H. L. Raymond.
* This is an error. The family were descendants of a Mayflower passenger, but it was Elder William Brewster.
** This line can be viewed by visiting Bob Murray's Captain William Creed site.