Walter and Joan Flewelling are lifelong residents and enthusiastic supporters of Greater Saint John. They have been married fifty-four years and raised a family of four: Barbara, now deceased, Gordon, Richard and Stephen. They have ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. They have shared with them their keen interest in community involvement, post-secondary education and healthcare.
The couple are dedicated members of the Church of The Good Shepherd. Both have served on vestry and as senior wardens. Joan has been an active member of the Choir and Altar Guild, as well as the International Order of Kings Daughters and Sons. Their love of salmon fishing for many years, has led to many happy times at Stoney Run. Curling at the former St. Andrews Curling Club and golf at Westfield kept the family busy and led to many hours of volunteer service. Joan is a Past Ladies President of Westfield Golf and Country Club, and been an actively involved curler at Thistle Curling Club and member of Probus Club.
Walter’s success as a business leader took root early. As a young teenager, he was a self-starter, delivering papers and selling magazines. He ran his own business even before he graduated from Saint John Vocational School. The self-styled graduate of “the University of Hard Knocks” later pursued studies at the University of Western Ontario. Over a long-time food industry career he served in many capacities in senior management, becoming President, in 1980, of The Willett Fruit Company Ltd., Willett Foods and later, the Food Group, which included the Village Food stores.
He brought a business perspective, leadership and active participation to and was active in many community organizations such as the Saint John Board of Trade, the Fundy Region Development Commission, the Economic Development Council, the Canadian Fruit and Vegetable Association and Enterprise Saint John. He brought dedicated and long service to The Carleton Union Lodge #8; was past Potentate of the Luxor Temple Shriners and a board member of the Montreal Children’s Hospital for eight years. The Maritime Golf Association, the Hampton Fishing Club, the Cliff Club, the Mayor’s Task Force, the Union Club, the Lancaster Golden Service Club, the Advisory Committee of the Dean of UNB-Saint John’s Business Faculty and a UNBSJ Education Committee also benefited from his commitment . The Miramichi Salmon Association made him a life member. Walter presently serves on the Cedar Hill Cemetery Board of Directors.
As ardent advocates for a Saint John University, the Flewellings are cognizant of its critical value to community development and need to achieve excellence. They admire the strength of local support for UNB-Saint John and have a keen interest in the Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program. The Flewellings have established a new fund and planned gift, which will award annual scholarships at the Saint John Campus of the University of New Brunswick for graduate students enrolled at UNBSJ in a MBA program. It will be based on the successful student demonstrating a combination of academic excellence and involvement in extracurricular and community affairs. The couple is also committed to healthcare and a planned gift to the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation. From the perspectives of a patient and also as a fundraiser, Walter is unwavering in his loyalty to this cause, as is Joan.
The Greater Saint John Community Foundation salutes their generosity and is honoured to be entrusted with the new Walter and Joan Flewelling Fund, which will be of great benefit to young business students in our community.