Frederick Arthur « Fred » Walsh, C.M.
1929-2021
It is with sadness and much love that we announce the
peaceful passing of a wonderful man, Fred Walsh.
Frederick Arthur « Fred » Walsh C.M. – age
91, of Berwick, passed away on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 in Grand
View Manor, Berwick with his loving family at his side. Born on August
8, 1929 in Lachine, Quebec, he was a son of the late Dr. F. Waldo and
Naomi (Hayden) Walsh.
He is survived by his wife, Mary (Mackay), Berwick; daughter,
Jane (Robin) Bustin, Berwick; sons, Michael (Gail), Rockland; Peter
(Jackie Julia), Oakland, Maine; Waldo (Judy), Rockland; Allison
« Al » (Wendy), Bedford; Bill (Suzanne), Cambridge;
grandchildren, Sean, Erin, Kyle, Clare, Lisa, Candice, Jeffrey, Allan,
Emma, Max, Alexander, Gordon, Jack, Liam, Zachary and Sophie, 12 great
grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he
was predeceased by brothers, Robert « Bob » Walsh (Grace)
(Mary) and John « Jack » Walsh (Evelyn).
Dad grew up in Halifax and attended LeMarchant St. School and
later Rothesay Collegiate in New Brunswick. He entered NSAC and
graduated from MacDonald College of McGill University in 1952 with a
BSc. in Agriculture with a major in Horticulture. As a teenager he
spent time working on farms in the Annapolis Valley or on his
Grandfather’s dairy farm in Coverdale, New Brunswick. Upon
graduation Dad moved to the Valley and purchased a farm in Rockland
where he grew apples, pears, peaches and plums. He also grew gladiolas
which he shipped all over Atlantic Canada as well as farmed hogs,
laying hens and beef cattle. In 1954 he married Mary Mackay and they
started their family of six children. In 1965, after the birth of
their sixth child, and realizing Mary was just as fertile as the soil
he nurtured, he installed a new furnace and there were no more
children after that! Dad had worked off the farm with the Nova Scotia
Department of Agriculture and Marketing, first as a Resource
Development Officer from 1972-76 and later as an Agricultural
Representative, before retiring in 1994. After his retirement from the
Department of Agriculture, Dad spent much of time working in his
gardens, advising his sons on their farming operations, and
volunteering in the community. Dad had been a member of the Nova
Scotia Fruit Growers Association since 1952 and had actively served in
many capacities, including Director, Chairman of various committees,
and President in 1997.
In addition to farming and working with the Nova Scotia
Department of Agriculture, Dad devoted much time to many
organizations, often in a major role, some of which
are:
● Kings County Councillor
●
Scotian Gold Cooperative, Member from 1957
●
Scotian Gold Cooperative, Director
● ACA Poultry
Cooperative, Past Chairman
● Canadian National
Institute for the Blind – 18 years as a Board Member, Past
Chairman of the N.S. – PEI Divisional Board and
three years on the National Council
● N.S. Farm
Health and Safety Committee
● N.S. Rural
Beautification Program
● N.S. Institute of
Agrologists, Past President
● Kings Mutual
Insurance, Board of Directors
● Rotary Club of
Kentville – Member
● Masonic Lodge – Valley No.
90 – Member
Dad received many awards including:
● Nuffield Farm Scholarship (1960)
● Award of Merit-Canadian Parks and Recreation
Association
● Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary
International
● CNIB Volunteer Awards
● Distinguished Life Member of the Nova Scotia
Institute of Agrologists
● Queen Elizabeth II
Diamond Jubilee Medal
Dad’s lifetime of volunteerism culminated when he
was recognized nationally with the Order of Canada in 2007. Aside from
his many accomplishments, Dad was a kind, generous, and loving soul
who possessed a wonderful sense of humor. The following is the essence
of the man we knew, and if we’ve left anything out, we
sincerely apologize to you Dad! His ornamental gardens in Rockland
were his passion. He believed in planting shrubs, trees and flowers to
celebrate marriages, births, and to honor peoples’ lives. He
gave trees he had collected and nurtured from seedling to friends and
families to celebrate their special events. These trees and shrubs
were often meticulously labeled with plaques providing the important
information of the variety or type, who or what it was for, and the
dates. He enjoyed showing people around his property and sharing with
them all the stories. Often some perennials or other plant material
accompanied them home to start their own gardens. He would often
volunteer to go with them and assist in the planting of their gardens.
His gardens were the backdrop for numerous photographs of family and
community events, marriages and reunions for over 50 years. His
tireless work became the « Garden of Memories », inscribed on
a bronze plaque mounted on a large granite rock, dedicated to his
loving supportive wife and his 6 children. Ending with the phrase
« A Gardener by The Grace of God » Dad was a man of great
faith which was exemplified in many ways. He had a great knowledge of
the Bible and he referred to it in times when he needed a little
« boost ». He attended the Berwick United Church where he was
a member for over 60 years and held various positions. Over these
years he was often asked to give the sermon, a request he thoroughly
enjoyed because of his ability to effectively communicate his positive
outlook on life. He attended many Cursillo gatherings sharing stories
of faith and making many friends. He lived his life with grace,
following Christian values. Dad had the gift of conversation and the
personality and genuine interest that drew people from all walks of
life into his circle. He was interested in people, finding out who
they were, where they came from, what they did, and their interests.
Usually after a brief conversation, Dad could relate that in fact, he
knew your aunt, or your uncle, or brother or cousin twice removed! Not
being born in the Annapolis Valley, he knew more about his
neighbors’ ancestors, than they did themselves! In
Dad’s role as an Agricultural Representative, he dealt with
farmers on a daily basis and understood the realities of farming. He
was able to inform them of new policies or grants available but more
importantly, he was able to counsel those experiencing challenges in
their farming operations. By times, he would bring home hitchhikers or
people who were down on their luck for a meal or a safe place to
sleep. This might be for a night or a fortnight, often offering them a
job to give them a little money to continue on their journey. Later in
life Dad faithfully visited local nursing homes because he knew that
the residents appreciated the company. It was also common for Dad to
deliver freshly cut flowers from his garden to family, friends, and
visitors – just to brighten their day! He was active in the
Elder-Hostel program at Acadia University acting as a tour guide. It
was not uncommon for a large bus to appear unannounced in the driveway
of the family farm. Fred was very proud that two of his sons and a
grandson continue in the tree fruit industry. Throughout his life he
instilled in his family his principles of unconditional love and
acceptance of all. He was one of a kind and he always did things HIS
way. Our entire Family would like to thank the staff at Grand View
Manor, his home for the past six years, for the care he received.
Also, the professionalism, care and compassion shown in his final days
was exemplary. We will always be grateful.
Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation, by
request. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, a
Celebration of Dad’s life will be held at a later date.
Donations in memory may be made to Grand View Manor, Berwick, The CNIB
or Berwick United Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the
White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. On-line
condolences and inquiries may be directed to
www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.
This Too Will
Pass
Weeping may endure for a
night
but joy cometh in the
morning.
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19292021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Frederick Arthur Fred Walsh C 19292021..
Décès pour la Ville: Kentville, Province: Nova Scotia