Obituary
WILLIAMS, Alfred Garfield “Garf”
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Garf Williams on November 22, 2022 in Shelburne, Nova Scotia. The community has lost a kind and generous man who always thought of everyone else before himself. Born in Lydgate, Nova Scotia on December 24, 1926, Garf was the son of the late Joseph Samuel and Ellen Grace Williams.
At a very young age he worked at the National Sea Processing Plant in Lockeport and was awarded the designation of 2nd Best Fish Cutter in Nova Scotia. He always had a collection of prized knives which were carefully guarded and only used for cleaning fish.
In the fall of 1946, 48 and 49 he was a teamster in the Annapolis Valley hauling apples with faithful Clydesdales Jack and Barney.
Garf married the love of his life Betty Rae Buchanan of Shelburne on December 22, 1950 and they built a home together on Thomas Street in Shelburne; raising two children and creating an acre of park-like grounds.
With the outbreak of the Korean War Garf volunteered in the Canadian Army (Active Force) and served from 1951 to 1954 in the 81st Royal Canadian Horse Artillery as a Bombardier. He was awarded the Korean Medal, the UNS Medal and the Ambassador of Peace Medal (from the Korean Government). While serving in the army he learned the trade of heavy-equipment mechanic, a skill he would master and practice for the rest of his life. Always a logical and analytical thinker; if it had an engine or a motor, he could fix it. After being discharged from the army Garf took a job at Shelburne Motors where he invented a machine for pulling rear wheel bearings. In 1957 he joined the Department of Transportation as a heavy-equipment mechanic for Shelburne and Yarmouth counties, retiring in 1992 as Shop Supervisor. His family never wished for a white Christmas as it meant he would be working to keep salt trucks and ploughs on the road.
Always the handyman Garf also worked as a Sears repairman, the friendly neighbourhood mechanic, at the Shelburne Legion until it closed and raised a multitude of poultry and waterfowl in his “Hennery & Hatchery”; Hardrock, Archie, Edith, Jesse and Babe to name a few. He was also a proud pappa to Sasha and Sabre (the dobermans); Amigo, Chico and Pedro (the chihuahuas); Duffy (a Sheltie) and Rattler (a rabbit hound who adopted him). Also an avid bowler, he bowled until the bowling alley closed, proudly achieving a high score of 810 in 3 games.
He is survived by his wife Betty Rae (Buchanan), daughter Kelsie Lynn, sister Charlotte “Sally” (Grovestine); grand-daughter Meaghan Downey (Oliver); grand son-in-law Chikeia “B” Downey and great grandchildren; Lestat, Eerina and Ahmyus. Besides his parents he is predeceased by his son Glenn Jeffery, brothers Carl and Larkin and sisters Stella (Belong), Bethalia (Smith) and Elina (Thomas).
The family would like to express their gratitude to the Goulden Family; Brud, Helen, Paul and Tara for all the trips to appointments, internet searches, errands run and everything and anything else that was needed. They would also like to thank the paramedics and medical staff at Roseway Hospital and Yarmouth Regional Hospital for their care.
There will be no visitation at Garf’s request. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Huskilson’s Funeral Home, Shelburne and will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. There will be a Legion Ceremony at 12:30 followed by a memorial service at 1:00.
Donations in Garf’s memory can be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, the Canadian Wildlife Federation or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.huskilson.net
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Alfred Garf Garfield Williams December 24 1926 November 22 2022..
H.M.Huskilson funeral homes and crematorium
Death notice for the town of: Lockeport, Province: Nova Scotia