|
A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
ANDREWS, Fulton Kerr - 86, Elmsvale, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2008, in Camp Hill Veterans' Memorial Building, QEII, Halifax, after a lengthy illness with dementia. Dad was born on May 20, 1921, in South Branch, Colchester Co. At the age of five, his family moved to Elmsvale, where he lived until his hospitalization in 2007. Dad joined the RCN, where he served duty during the Second World War on various ships in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean. Our father completed his Second World War service as Stoker, Petty Officer; his campaign medals consisted of the 1939-1945 Star, Atlantic Star, Africa Star, Clasp Defense Medal, and C.V.S.M. Medal and Clasp War Medal. In 1947, Dad joined the first team of assessors with the County of Halifax. He remained as an assessor until 1960, when he was appointed as Revaluation Officer with the Department of Municipal Affairs in order to assist the Revaluation Commissioner. Dad was part of a team whose daunting task it was to set up a system to determine full assessment of cities, towns and rural municipalities for the purposes of the Education Act. Dad retired in 1981 as Nova Scotia's Director of Assessment, a position in his field that demonstrates the highly esteemed knowledge of property and land that he acquired over the years of his career. Our father placed great value on honesty, integrity, hard work and self-improvement. In the 1950's and 1960's, he upgraded his schooling through correspondence classes along with studying in his field of work, where he maintained very high marks. This was a remarkable feat for a married man, father of four children and working a full-time job. Amidst all of this, he was also taking great care of his home and surrounding 400 acres of land. Dad always enjoyed being involved in entrepreneurial businesses. He was well-known in the balsam fir and pine Christmas tree industry, selling trees in the local and United States markets. Our parents also began a small family business called the Valley Take-Out, which we operated until the homestead was sold in 1980. Dad was a very caring man, shown by his church duties in his younger years, looking after his aging parents and parents-in-law and their homes and properties. He also gave wonderful support and love to an aunt and uncle in Meadowvale/Upper Stewiacke who were very dear to him. Along with family, Dad also placed great value on kindness and respect toward his neighbours and community members. Dad's favourite items that he always seemed to have in his hands were a book, a lawn mower, an axe or a power saw. He was happiest working outdoors with Mother Nature. We shall miss his dry sense of humour and his amazing ability to remember people and events. Dad believed a bowl of cooked rolled oats ("sticks to your ribs") or a plate of bacon and eggs were the best breakfast items a man could eat. Dad took absolute delight in making breakfast for any overnight guests who stayed in his home. Nothing pleased Dad more than to have a large group of family and friends join him at the supper table. He was a strong believer in keeping physically fit, and he showed this with his ability to do 150 sit-ups at the age of 80, and cut 10 cords of wood at the speed of lightning. Other personal values of Dad's were having goals in life, taking responsibility for yourself and learning from others. He was a very humble man, and he would probably think that this obituary was just a little too long. However, we are going to give him credit where credit is due. If anyone would like a memento that belonged to Dad, you are more than welcome to take a stroll on the woodlots that Dad passed along to us. You may find and keep one of the numerous pairs of glasses that he lost in the woods over the years (Thanks Linda). He was loved and respected by all who knew him, and we shall miss his strong shoulders on which to lean. Dad was predeceased by his parents, Stanley and Jennie (Fulton) Andrews; sister, Rena Johnston (1994), and infant brother, Douglas (1935). He was also predeceased by his first wife, Verna (White) Andrews (1986). He is survived by his second wife, Edith (Hutchinson) Higgins, who brought new love and companionship into Dad's life after our mother passed away; daughter, Priscilla (Dave) Kovacs; son, Douglas (Theresa) Andrews; daughter, Muriel (Bob) Hudson; son, Paul Andrews. He is also survived by grandsons, Andrew (Nathalie Trudel) Kovacs, Allan (Sue) Kovacs, Roger (Laura) Hudson, Darryl (Rachel) Andrews, Wayne (Lori Simpson) Andrews. Dad is survived by sisters, Blanche (Logan, deceased) Barnhill, Truro; Muriel (George, deceased) Reeves, Maryland, U.S.A.; brothers, Frank (Joyce), Stewiacke; Paul (Eileen), Calgary, Alta.; Arthur (Hélène), Trois Rivieres, Que. Dad is also survived by Edith's children, Donna (Francis) Fraser, Sheila (Marty) Andrews, Calvin (Martha) Higgins, Philip (Lorna) Higgins, Carolyn Higgins, Irene (Tim) Bowser. Dad is survived by Edith's 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, who affectionately referred to Dad as "Futtie". Dad will also be missed and remembered by a very dear friend of 75 years, Doris McGrath. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. and funeral service will be Wednesday at 2 p.m., both in Middleton United Church, Middle Musquodoboit, Rev. Marjory Cornelius officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Riverside Cemetery, Elmsvale. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Camp Hill Veterans' Memorial Building, QEII, 5935 Veterans' Memorial Lane, Halifax, NS B3H 2E1, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Arimathea Funeral Co-operative, Upper Musquodoboit. (Halifax Chronicle Herald 04 Feb 2008)
|
For Posterity's Sake 
