Wilfred Carl "Willie" Elms - Age 90, Rear Monastery, Antigonish County, passed away, Monday, November 17, 2025 at home. Born in Rear Monastery, he was a son of the late Joseph Norman and Elsie Mae (Whalen) Elms. Willie grew up working on the family farm until he moved to Toronto at age 17. 

In Toronto, he was employed as a machinist at the Sunbeam Corporation for many years before returning home to Nova Scotia in the mid-1970's. He then worked at the former Hawker Siddeley railway freight car manufacturing plant in Trenton, Pictou County, for several more years before he retired. 

Before and during his retirement, Willie took his time renovating the former one-room segregated schoolhouse he attended in his youth in Rear Monastery. This would become his home for the rest of his years. 

He spent his time fishing, hunting and cutting firewood on his land for the cold winters. In the spring and summer, he enjoyed planting and tending his vegetable garden and would share some of his harvest with family and friends if he had a good yield. 

Willie was a very quiet, humble, private person who loved his family and enjoyed the peacefulness of country-living after many years of working in the big city. 

He was a member of First Baptist Church, Toronto, and attended Tracadie United Baptist Church when he returned home. Over the past few years, he enjoyed attending events held by the Upper Big Tracadie Seniors Action Club with his brothers Gerald and Donald.   

Willie was blessed to have reached 90 years of age a few months ago, making him the family's newest member of the "90's Milestone Club" behind his surviving brother and sisters, Gerald, Alice and Mary. 

Surviving are his daughters, Michelle Urquhart, Toronto; Melissa (Raymond) Card, New York; eight grandchildren and numerous great grand-children; sisters, Alice Ponzi, Mary Thompson, both of Toronto; Joan Paris, New Glasgow; Lillian Cain, Montague Gold Mines; Carol Ann (Sam) Okpro, Pierrefonds, Que.; Angela MacKinnon, Port Hawkesbury; foster sister, Raine Jones, Dartmouth; brothers, Gerald Elms, Donald (Velma) Elms, all of Rear Monastery; foster brothers, Storm Jones,Toronto; William Jones, Edmonton; special uncle, Joseph Howell, Glace Bay; special cousin,Tye Elms, Toronto; goddaughter, Pat Jones, Halifax; sister-in-law, Agnes Elms, Dartmouth; partner of late brother Leslie, Rene O'Dowd, Antigonish. 

Wilfred was predeceased by his former partner, Jacqueline Urquhart; son, Christopher Donald Urquhart; brothers, Kenneth Elms, Frank Elms and Leslie Elms; brothers-in-law, Angus MacKinnon, Paul Ponzi, Francis Paris, Wylie Cain; former brother-in-law, Lloyd Thompson; and sister-in-law, Frances Elms. 

The family will receive visitors prior to the funeral service on Friday, November 28th from 12 noon - 12:50 pm at Tracadie United Baptist Church, 474 Hwy #16, Monastery, Antigonish County.  Funeral service will begin at 1:00pm with Pastor Clara Jordan officiating, assisted by Deacon Alonzo Reddick. Burial to follow in Sunnyview Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Wilfred Elms to a charity of your choice. 

Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury.  Online condolences may be sent to www.haverstocks.com

Hold me close with love, not sorrow

I'm not gone, I'm in tomorrow

In every laugh, in every cheer

You'll find my spirit, always near.