Tribute

James Edward “Bud” Ziegler (Matheson), known to his friends as Bud, passed away April 21 2021 at the age of 88. Born in New Scotland (Nova Scotia) January 17 1933.

Proudly serving the Royal Canadian Air Force as Captain for more then 25 years. In roles uniquely suited to him as Air Traffic Controller and Search & Rescue. These roles required making quick sound judgements and communicating them clearly, if not always delicately. He embraced this sense of duty, daily after retirement.

Always smartly groomed & attired, usually in one of his kilts – he excelled in roles that were meaningful – Small Business Owner, Marshall at Bell Bay golf course, Air Force, Army, & Sea Cadet leadership volunteer, Champion of fund raising for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Fund and his local Legion (Where he had been a member for over 50 years), especially the annual Legion Poppy drive.

Knowing Bud, was to know and understand his passion for his likes, loves and dislikes. If he liked you, you had a friend for life. He would fondly reminisce and reach out to contact people he hadn’t heard from in years. If he loved you, he would always have your back, and look out for you, if not always delicately. If he disliked someone or thing (which was rare) he would very freely share those opinions as indelicately as possible (sometimes with a wink).

His life took him to Alberta, Germany, Newfoundland, and British Columbia, but his heart was always in Nova Scotia… especially the fond memories he had from his formative years on the family farm in Millbrook, Pictou Co. and later his home & cottage in Aberdeen & Baddeck NS., where hiking to the Uisge Ban (Ichiban) Falls, golfing, fishing and the Yacht Club were amongst his interests. He enjoyed Westerns & Police TV shows, Scottish Pipe & Drum music, and the group Celtic Thunder. He was a lapidary enthusiast. He enjoyed boating and sailing especially his two-mast friendship sloop “Jakartra” which if you bought him a beer, he would tell you how he brought it around “The Horn” (wink!) from Nova Scotia to BC. Bud enjoyed a blue rare steak, sipping on a cold beer for hours, a good Scotch, nice cars, and his friends at the local Pub, where he would share stories that were based on true detail with some bring purely fiction, and not always delicately.

Son of E. Lorraine Ziegler (ex Matheson nee Murdoch) Born in Massachusetts, lived in Pictou NS and J. Ed Matheson, Pictou NS and his adopted father Eric B. Ziegler, London Ontario. Survived by spouse Norma Ziegler (nee MacNeil) Baddeck NS. His love for Norma cannot be understated- He loved her dearly. Four brothers Michael (Victoria) Ziegler, Victoria BC, Dan Matheson, Ontario, the late Patrick (Marilyn) Matheson, Halifax NS, Tom Matheson NS. Four children Tracy (Daniel) Forbes, Drayton Valley Alberta, Kara (Jeff Bickel) Ziegler, Morden NS, James “Jim” (Michelle Mercer) Ziegler Kingston NS & Richard (Sonja) Clark, Abbotsford BC. Five Grandchildren Haleigh (Christopher) Keefe (nee Forbes), Jeffrey Bickel, Eric Bickel, Dexter Clark, & AJ Clark. Former spouse Marilyn Lodge (nee Butt) Seaforth Ontario.

Celebration of Life will be held online on Wednesday, April 28th at 2:00 P.M. The link to join us is: www.distantlink.com/wallace.html

No Flowers by request. Donations to his two cherished volunteer interests – Salvation Army, or the Royal Canadian Legion of your choosing.