Please note that new service information has
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Burton Chesley “Burt”
Pye – 85, Truro,
formerly of Upper Brookside. It is with grateful hearts for a life
well lived and unconditional love shown us, we announce the sudden
passing of Burton Chesley Pye on Friday, January 14, 2022 at
Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro. Born in Eureka, Pictou
County, he was the second son of the late George and Margaret
(MacPherson) Pye.
At the age of 14, his family moved to Toronto, and at the age
of 18, Dad joined the army, and his first posting was to Germany. His
next posting brought him back to Nova Scotia. His military service
came to an end when Dad met the love of his life and they decided to
put down roots in Upper Brookside. They resided in the house Dad built
for 50 plus years.
During his lifetime, he established many long-term
friendships through his career with Yould’s Limited and his
community involvement. Dad was a 40 plus year member of North River
and District Fire Brigade. After retiring from firefighting, he
assisted the Ladies Auxiliary with their fundraising dinners,
including 19 of their 20 pancake breakfasts. He served as president of
Truro Girls Pipe Band Parents Auxiliary and as band bus driver for
many years.
Dad was involved in the scouting movement for many years,
including District Scout Master Colchester County and Assistant
District Commissioner for Scouts. He and lifelong friend, Gordon
Weatherby established and operated the Cub/Scout Camp in Malagash.
Later, Dad and Gordon became involved in 77 Arrowhead Squadron Air
Cadets, Truro, where Dad started as a civilian instructor before
attaining the rank of Captain and assuming the role of Commanding
Officer for eight years.
Dad’s love of airplanes took him to the Miniature
Aircraft Society of Truro, where he built (from scratch) and flew over
twenty balsawood airplanes. Many of his planes were scale replicas of
WWII airplanes, with four donated to CFB Greenwood and forming part of
the museum displays.
Dad was also very musical, starting as a young boy riding the
train from Eureka to Stellarton by himself for violin lessons, and
amassing a great collection of violins over his lifetime. While not a
showman, if pressed, you could get Dad to play a tune or two at
various functions. Some of his proudest moments were when his
grandchildren joined him with their musical talents.
In August of 2018, he lost his beloved wife, Leona (Staples),
and life was never the same. One of their joint hobbies was creating
beautiful ceramic pieces of which they left us many to treasure. We
take heart in knowing Mom and Dad are reunited and will celebrate
their 65th wedding anniversary together on
January 26th. Family meant everything to Dad;
nothing brought a smile to his face like a family
gathering.
Mourning his passing are daughters, Lynn, Heather (Sandy
McLane), Kelly (John MacDonald); grandchildren, Dr. Patrick (Dr.
Terra), Holly (Brian), Michael (Christina), Sarah-Jean (Asad), Sam,
Katherine (Mason); great-grandchildren, Julie, Chesley, Wyatt;
sisters-in-law, Etta Dewar (whom we can’t thank enough for
her loving support to all of us), Carole and Gillian Pye; loved as if
she were a daughter, Nancy (Alan Ryan); special cousins, Beulah
Martell and Vincent (Jean) Pye; many cousins, nieces and
nephews.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. In
addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his brothers,
Bill (Isabel), Ralph, Ernest; sister, Verna Chiasson; brothers-in-law,
Jack Chiasson, Carson Dewar, Rufus Staples, Murray Staples, Dexter
Staples; special friend, Danny Delaney.
We would like to thank the Emergency Room team at Colchester
East Hants Health Centre for the great care provided to Dad as he made
his final journey. The empathy and compassion you showed will never be
forgotten.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall
– Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro, where a
Firefighter’s Tribute Service will be held 5:30 p.m., Thursday, June
2, 2022, followed by visitation from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, June 2, 2022.
Interment iwill be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 3, 2022, at
Crossroads Cemetery, 110 Salmon River Road, Valley.
In lieu of flowers, donations to North River and District
Fire Brigade or Heart and Stroke Foundation are welcomed. Private
messages of condolence may be sent to the family by viewing
Burt’s obituary on-line and selecting “Send A
Condolence” at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Burton Chesley Burt Pye 1936 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Truro, Province: Nova Scotia