Unexpectedly on the morning of Sunday, June 12th , 2022, Randy, son of the late Gordon Allaby and Janet (Giberson) Allaby Rollins and the adoring husband to the late Ferne (Batstra) Allaby passed away peacefully at the SJRH two days after laying his beloved wife to rest. A true testament of their undying love for each other. Born in Plaster Rock NB, Randy was one of eleven children and most likely the reason that he was known as being a human vacuum. “You ate when it was put in front of you or you didn’t eat” was how he described it to us as kids.
He was known for his large appetite and would even prefer to sit by the kitchen at weddings so he could inquire about the plates of the people that didn’t show up. Serving staff quickly took a shine to his need to not waste food and he’d be filled up pretty well to the top of his head by the time he was ready to go home.
Randy graduated from Tobique Valley High school in 1963 and after a brief jaunt west, he moved to Saint John and met the love of his life, Ferne. He helped raise their two daughters mostly with bad jokes, but he was also the Nancy Drew bedtime story reader and the puke picker upper. He supported the family as the payroll manager at the General and then Saint John Reginal Hospitals. Retiring in 1996, he and Ferne moved to Grand Falls but returned in 2003 as more grandchildren were arriving. He and Ferne took care of the kids while Rebecca and Tony
worked. Randy always had a kid in a tow, or a sleeping child curled up next to him in his recliner while he watched any sport that happened to be on.
Ferne and Randy, married 55 years, enjoyed a wonderful life together. To watch them together was to witness a true love affair. Ferne had the quick wit to respond to Randy’s never-ending teasing and bad jokes. They travelled out west numerous times, went to Holland together to celebrate Randy’s 50th birthday and toured the Yukon in 2011 with the whole family. They enjoyed bowling, golfing and bicycling in their early years. They also trailered for a little while and road trips were always on the summer schedule. Playing cards and taking walks were the
favoured activities in later years.
Next to his loving wife, Randy’s grandchildren were the lights of his life. He was the consistent source of the “Good Morning” texts, the one to provide life advice and a never ending patient ear. If he wasn’t correcting grammar or telling them how to save a dollar, he was deeply engrossed in Molly and Thomas’ endless stories and interests. He was incredibly proud of them and often got the “quivering chin” to hold back the tears when he spoke of them. Randy was involved in many sports and committees/boards over the years but it was the way he lived life everyday that made him such an incredible man. He was not a religious man but he was definitely the most Pius one. Never wanting recognition, he would donate to high school graduates so they could buy business attire, give money in support of school lunch programs, sponsor many fundraising efforts. He would even anonymously buy groceries for people in the checkout line ahead of him. He lived the way he believed all people should…with respect, kindness, humility and to always give more of yourself than what you needed in return.
Randy is survived by his daughter Rebecca Doiron (Tony), Daughter in law Carolynn Gosselin, grandchildren Molly Doiron (Jonathan), Thomas Doiron (Zoe) as well as step grandchildren Paul and Christian Lambotte, brothers Gordon (Wendy), Warren (Gail) and Sister Rose, brother in law Lionel Batstra (Debbie) and Derek Batstra.
In addition to his parents he is predeceased by his beautiful wife Ferne, daughter Jennifer, granddaughter Charlotte, brothers and sisters Howard, Maxine, Myrtle, June, Windsor, Ronald and Wayne.
Arrangements are under the direction of Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road (646-2424). In keeping with Randy's wishes, there will be no visitation. A funeral service will be held from the Fundy Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 10am and everyone who wants to attend the funeral is welcome to come. The interment will immediately follow in Maces Bay Community Cemetery.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Randolph "Randy" George Allaby, please visit our floral store.
Arthritis Society of New Brunswick
2-1010 Hanwell Rd.,, Fredericton NB E3B 6Y4
Tel: 1-506-452-7191
Email: kphillips@arthritis.ca
Web: http://www.arthrite.ca/www.arthritis.ca
Contact: Krista Phillips
1-800-321-1433