Charles ‘Gordon’ Pyle
1924-2018
Pyle, Charles
“Gordon”
– Age 93 of Boylston, Guysborough Co. Charles
“Gordon” Pyle has laid down his tools and turned off
the lights in his shop. He went peacefully on Sunday, April
8th, 2018 at the age of 93 and until the last
year of his life, resided in the family home in Boylston where he was
born. He was born on December 26, 1924 to the late Charles
Samuel and Carrie (Dort) Pyle. He had 3 sisters, Ester (and
Leo Day) both deceased, Bessie (and Doug Simpson), both deceased and
Bertha, who resides in Antigonish and was married to Willis Hart,
deceased.
As a young man in the late 1930’s he would walk to Mulgrave
or Monastery driving sheep and cattle. As he got older he
worked in carding mills, saw mills and lumber yards, cutting pulpwood
and on road construction, whatever was available to make a
living.
In his early 20’s he left Nova Scotia with some friends and
ventured to Ontario where he lived and worked for a few
years. However, home was calling and he made his way back to
Boylston where he lived the remainder of his life. When he
arrived back home he once again did whatever he could to make a
living, driving a truck, cutting pulp and Christmas Trees
and eventually driving snow plow and operating heavy
machinery.
In May of 1957 he married Ina Brymer, telling her that he
would work hard and earn the money if she would look after it, and she
did for 50 years until her death in 2007 at the age of
73. Gordon and Ina and two children, a son, Erne
(Jody), Fort McMurray, Alberta. Erne has three children,
Karena, Stephen and Andrea. They also had a daughter Holly
(George) Nahrebecky, Boylston who has two children, Erin (Tony) Brown
and Robyn Fulford, and 2 great-granddaughters, Remington and Delainey
Brown. Gordon and Ina greatly loved and took great
pride in their children and grandchildren and enjoyed the time with
them both at home in the summer and whenever they could make the trip
to Alberta, they supported and helped their children with whatever
they needed. Gordon was so happy to have two great-granddaughters and
often talked about how happy and proud Ina would have been
too.
During their marriage, Gordon worked in road construction
with several different construction companies, at times working away
from home during the week. No matter how far away, he always
made sure to get home on Friday night to his
family. Many evenings were spent with family
playing cards, laughing and telling stories. He had great
respect and love for his in-laws and extended family.
Gordon retired from construction work in his late 60’s and,
although he continued to drive the snowplow for a number of years, he
took up a new hobby.. woodworking. He built a shop and
started making furniture and folk art or whatever his family asked him
to build. When asked what he made, he would always say
sawdust and mistakes. Some things he sold, but
most he gave away and did it for the joy of making
something. You could find him upstairs in his shop many
nights working away on his latest project.
Throughout his life he had an incredible memory for people
and events and would love to tell stories about “back in the
day”. He was an excellent source of community
history, driving around the countryside with him was an adventure in
storytelling. Every house had a story for he knew who had
lived there, things they had done and where they had
gone. He was honest and hard working, and had a
keen sense of personal integrity.
One of his favourite things to do was to visit family,
friends and neighbours. He was always willing to
help people and would often knock on their doors to see if they needed
something whether it was a Christmas tree, a load of wood or maybe
just a chat. He was an active member of the
Boylston United Church; he worked on the Cemetery Committee and was
the “go to” for information. He was often
seen on the roads of Guysborough County, sometimes driving around
sightseeing and visiting, putting up signs for the Conservative
candidate at election time, driving for Meals On Wheels which he did
until he was 90. Although he hadn’t curled in a long time he
loved the game and was a long time supporter of the Chedabucto Curling
Club, donating the land where the club sits. He could often
be found there watching games and chatting. He
also loved music and enjoyed attending Ceilidhs at the waterfront, the
evenings at the Crows Nest, local concerts and a Danny Rodgers fiddle
tune.
The last year of his life was spent in Canso’s Seaside Manor
and Milford Haven Home for Special Care in
Guysborough.
Gordon has been cremated and visitation will take place at
Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Guysborough on Friday, April
13th, 2018 from 2 to 7 p.m. Funeral
service will be held at the Boylston United Church, Boylston at 2 p.m.
on Saturday, April 14th, 2018 with Reverend
Heather Manuel officiating. Committal to take
place at a future date.
The family wishes to thank the physicians and staff at both
Canso Seaside Manor and Milford Haven Home for Special Care for the
wonderful care they provided Gordon, especially for the kindness and
compassion shown in his final days.
Donations may be made to the Boylston United Church,
Chedabucto Curling Club, Guysborough Memorial Hospital or charity of
your choice. Family flowers only, please. Words of comfort
may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Charles ‘Gordon’ Pyle 19242018.source
Death notice for the town of: Guysborough, Province: Nova Scotia