Obituary of Kirby Rondelet

David Kirby “Krub” Rondelet, 60, Trenton, passed away peacefully, Saturday, July 11, 2026, in the Aberdeen Hospital, Palliative Care Unit, New Glasgow, surrounded by his family.

Born in New Glasgow, he was a son of the late Wilfred John “Willie” and Marion Elizabeth (Langille) Rondelet. He was the eighth child of eleven children consisting of eight boys and three girls.

He was a proud uncle to his many nieces and nephews through out Canada, each of whom had a special place in his heart. His quick wit, infectious sense of humour, and genuine interest in their lives made every interaction memorable.  He was always ready with a joke, a story or a laugh. He had an incredible gift in making everyone feel welcome. He delighted in having company and was happiest when surrounded by family. His playful spirit and wonderful sense of humour brought smiles to generations.

Kirby dedicated nearly 30 years to Eastern Tire before beginning a new chapter as an Inventory Specialist with WIS. He truly enjoyed his work with WIS, where he travelled throughout the Maritimes, building lasting friendships with his coworkers and collecting countless stories and adventures along the way.

Kirby was always willing to give back to his community. Whether volunteering at casino nights, participating in dragon boat races, supporting local fundraisers, or buying raffle tickets for a good cause, he was happy to help. Uncle Kirby was always ready to lend a helping hand—or a friendly opinion—and his generosity, humour, and kind heart will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Kirby was also proud to have been a member of the Pictou Highlanders Military Militia, where he had the opportunity to serve alongside others and be part of a proud local tradition. And he was mischief enough to prove he was fully embraced the highland spirit when asked.

If there was a cue in his hand or a dart on the line, you knew somebody was about to lose. He could hold his own at the highest levels of billiards, traveling to Toronto to compete, but some of his fiercest—and noisiest—matches were right at home against his brothers. Whether it was a game of pool or darts, there was always plenty of competition, a little friendly trash talk, and usually the winner smiling  “loser racks, and ya owe me a Keiths.”

But the real championship was won after work. As soon as the day was done, he’d make a beeline for camp. That’s where he was happiest—fishing, hunting, riding the ATV, or simply parked around a crackling campfire with family. The fish may have gotten bigger, the bucks may have grown more antlers, and the stories definitely improved with every telling—but that’s exactly how he liked it. Around that fire, everyone laughed a little harder, stayed a little longer, and knew they were exactly where they belonged.

Surviving are his wife, Cristie Beck; children, Alex (Olivia) Rondelet, and his mother, Tammy Barkhouse, Weyburn, Sask.; Nathan (Tiffany) Beck, Trenton; Marleigh Rondelet; at home; sisters, Thelma Steele, New Glasgow; Barbara Rondelet (Vincent Weston), River John; Elizabeth “Liz” Rondelet, Muskoka, Ont.; brothers, Alfred (Maryann), Pictou; Wilfred John Jr., Pictou; Robert (Bernadette), Merigomish; Lawrence “Lou” (Sherry), Pictou; Tom (Chrissy), Scotch Hill; aunt, Jay (Turk) Talbot, Stellarton; uncle, Robert “Bob’ Langille, Stellarton; mother-in-law, Margie Beck, New Glasgow. He was a proud uncle to his many nieces and nephews, each of whom had a special place in his heart. 

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by brothers, William and Raymon; nephew, John Robert; father-in-law, Roy Beck.

The family will receive visitors 12 – 12:50 p.m. Saturday, July 18 in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home Chapel, New Glasgow from where funeral service will be held 1 p.m. with Rev. Charles McPherson officiating. 

Donations may be made in Kirby’s memory to the Aberdeen Health Foundation Palliative Care Fund or Special Olympics Pictou County. 

In honour of Kirby’s memory, we, his family, request every male to have PSA testing.

For funeral service livestream, please click HERE.