Harold Douglas Boyce
Doug was born in Amherst, Nova Scotia on February 11, 1922, a son of the late Charles Hilton and Harriett Elizabeth Magdalene (Hay) Boyce.
July 21, 1941, he married Elsie Eileen Connolly (deceased June 12, 2003). He is survived by his three children, Garry Douglas (Sharon) Boyce, Gail Louise (Alan) Jankov and Michael Jay Boyce; eight grandchildren, Craig Douglas (Joanne) Boyce, Kelly Lynn (John Griffin) Boyce, Alyson Dawn (Allan Livingstone) Boyce, Marion Louise (Blaine) MacIsaac, Alanna Gail (Stephen McLean) Jankov, Jay Spencer (Tracy Liu) Boyce, Ian Michael Boyce and Shane Michael Boyce, together with fifteen great grandchildren and tons of nieces and nephews.
Always proud of his family, he leaves to carry-on the family traditions his sister, Flora ‘Flo’ (Vince) Weatherbee; brothers, Charlie (Della) Boyce, Ralph (Audrey) Boyce, Sydney (Irene) Boyce and George (Linda) Boyce.
Doug’s kids extend a special thank you to brother/uncle Charlie for his commitment to caring for his big brother whenever the need arose, which was frequent. Doug was predeceased by his brothers, Ronald Frank Boyce and his wife, Margaret, William Ernest Boyce and his wife, Lillian and sisters, Helen Mae Boyce and her husband, Charles McNeill and Harriett Grace Boyce and her husband, Ronnie Moore.
Doug grew up during a time that one learned to be self-sufficient. Leaving school at the age of fourteen, he was what today they would call a lifelong learner, as he never stopped educating himself. This led to him becoming one of the first to receive a provincial licence Journeyman Certificate of Qualification in the Electrical Trade. His career was varied, C. Smith Transfer, Robertson Candy, CNR, Imperial Oil, T. Weldon Mills Service Station, Truro Electric, taught night school and then in 1947, started his own business, Hub Electric Company in Bible Hill.
Doug was a community man. A member of the Street Light Commission, later to be an integral participant in the establishment of the Village Commission of Bible Hill where he served as Chairman, a commissioner and the original village clerk (a position he held from 1956-1987), a charter member of the Bible Hill Fire Brigade and until his passing, a Director Emeritus and a charter member of the Bible Hill Cemetery Company holding several responsible posts since 1974.
After formally retiring he took time to write the History of the Bible Hill Cemetery and the even more comprehensive History of Bible Hill, a 964-page bound volume printed in limited edition. On a personal note, he gathered information and compiled an extensive collection of notes on his ancestors with the objective of writing the history of the Hay, Rennie, Connolly, Higgins, and Boyce families.
In compliance with Doug’s wishes and that of his surviving children, a private Graveside Interment Service will be held later this year following the lifting of the COVID-19 limitations. It is Doug’s wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to one of his favourite projects in the village, the Bible Hill Cemetery Company.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ColchesterCommunity.com
TAKE MY HAND…….for Dad
Mum has reached out her hand and drawn Dad near to her again.
He walks alongside her as she drops a line in the brook.
“There’ll be trout for supper tonight Eileen.
I’ll cut some kindling for the fire when we get back.”
“There’s no need to do that anymore Doug.”
“I don’t mind. We can have the wild blueberries you picked for dessert.
I’ll have to see how the bridge is after that rain.”
“There’s no need to do that anymore Doug.”
“The rhubarb looks good this year. Looks like I’ll have a lot to stew for the winter.”
“There’s no need to worry about that anymore Doug.”
“We can drive over tomorrow to Caribou and get some of Gail and Alan’s strawberries. They should be
ripe by now.”
“We won’t be able to do that anymore Doug.”
I think Garry said he would mow the lawn at the house for us on the weekend.”
“He won’t have to do that anymore Doug.”
“I’ll have to get onto Christine about what they’re doing at the village.”
“You don’t have to do that anymore Doug.”
“Did Mike say he was coming home for a visit this summer?”
“He won’t be doing that anymore Doug.”
“Those fellas up at the bend look familiar. It almost looks like Bill, Ron, Helen and Grace and who is that
further on?”
“Why don’t you hold my hand and we can walk awhile. I’ll take you back to Maple Glen and you can rest
for awhile.”
“I’d like that, for some reason I feel really tired.”
“You don’t have to worry about being tired anymore Doug.”
m.j. (mike) boyce.
Read Less
Monday June 8th 2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Harold Douglas Boyce Monday June 8th 2020..
Décès pour la Ville: Truro, Province: Nova Scotia