COLLIER, Russell Stanley
The Chronicle Herald, Halifax, June 27, 2018
(1932 - 2018)
Russell Collier 85, Spryfield. The family of Russell S. Collier are saddened to announce his peaceful passing on June 25, 2018 with his wife Vivian at his side. Born in Diamond Cove, NL, he was the youngest son of the late Martin and Mary Elizabeth (Munden) Collier.

Russell spent much of his youth in Rose Blanche, Newfoundland before joining the Canadian Navy at the age of 18 in March 1951. He served the Navy for 26 years as a Sonarman attaining the rank of Petty Officer 1st class before retiring in August 1976. He then began a second career as a senior maintenance person at the Halifax Civic Hospital for the next 20 years. In retirement Russell was an active bowler and was always available as the "community handyman" regularly giving of his time and expertise helping family, neighbors and friends when needed. He was very active with the Emmanuel Anglican Church in Spryfield for many years.

Russell is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Vivian (Billard); their children, Sharon Umlah (Kevin) and Janice Robar (Myles), both of Halifax, David Collier (Alania Beaver), Williamswood and Paula Brian (Mark), Madison Mississippi; sisters, Ruth Ridgley, Seabright, and Lillian Hatcher, St. John's, NL; grandchildren, Aaron Umlah (Adrienne MacLean), Sarah Umlah, Adam (Holly) and David (Julia) Robar, Meghan Thorne (Rob), Shea Collier (Hailey), Grace and Matthew Brian; great grandchildren, Aliyah Gray, Heidie and Edward Umlah, Charlie Collier, Maxim Marchand and Adria Thorne. Russell was predeceased by brothers, Charles, Martin, Jim, Reginald and Garfield; sisters, Hilda, Irene, Hannah, Ida and Edna. The family would like to extend a thankyou to the staff of Melville Gardens 4th floor for their care and attention these last few years.

Arrangements are under the care of J. Albert Walker Funeral Home (2005) Ltd., 149 Herring Cove Road, Halifax, where visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 25 from 12-2 PM, followed by a Memorial Service in the funeral home chapel at 2 PM, with a reception to follow. Donations in memory of Russell may be made to Emmanuel Anglican Church, Spryfield or a charity of choice. See also www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/halifax-ns/kimberley-spearns-7894323

Faulkner, Colleen Suzette
The Chronicle Herald, Halifax, June 14, 2018
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Colleen Suzette Faulkner, age 37, of Clayton Park, NS, from complications due to cystic fibrosis, on June 8th, 2018. She died peacefully, surrounded by her husband, friends and family. Born in Carbonear, Newfoundland, she spent most of her adult life in Nova Scotia, but always longed to return home. She lived life to the fullest and had the respect and admiration of her former colleagues at the Coady International Institute at St. FX and CPD at Dalhousie University.

Colleen was predeceased by her mother Sharon (née Green), uncle Douglas Green, and aunt Jacqueline Harvey (née Faulkner). She will be missed by her husband, Mark Theriault; Clayton Park, NS; father William (Kay) Faulkner; Bonavista, NL, brother Ryan Faulkner; Bonavista, NL, sister Crystal (Jeff) Baker, nephew Noah and niece Claire; St. Philip's, NL, and many other relatives and close friends.

A celebration of life will take place Saturday June 16th, 1-3pm, in the community room of 110 Greenpark Close, Halifax. A memorial service in Bonavista, Newfoundland will be held at a later date. Arrangements have taken place under the care of T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists. Donations in her memory may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Canada. Online condolences and sharing of memories can be made to Colleen's family by visiting www.tjtracey.com

Good, Edwin
The Chronicle Herald, Halifax, June 26, 2018
(August 19, 1933 - June 23, 2018)
Good, Edwin-Lockeport, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2018 at the age of 84. Born in Little Bay, Newfoundland, he was a son of the late Samuel and Jane (Lawrence) Good. He spent his working life in Sept-Isle, Quebec on the railroads. He retired in 1985 and moved to Lockeport, Nova Scotia where he remained until his passing. Edwin will be forever remembered for his stories of Newfoundland, the railway, and his family. Despite losing his short term memory later in life, he could recount vivid and humorous stories until his recent passing. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by sister, Elsie Chetwynd. He is survived by brother, John Good as well as many nephews and nieces. No visitation by request. A funeral service in memory of Edwin will be held on Wednesday, June 27th. at 1:30 pm in H.M. Huskilson's Funeral Home, Lockeport, 37 Spruce Street, with Pastor Debi Hill officiating. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice. On-line condolences may be sent to: hmhuskilson@ns.aliantzinc.ca or you may sign the guest book at: www.huskilson.net

NEIL, Lorne (Ralph)
The Chronicle Herald, Halifax, June 21, 2018
(August 07, 1944 - June 18, 2018)
Ralph Neil 73, of Port Hawkesbury passed away on June 18th at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney. Ralph was born August 7th, 1944 in Bell Island, Newfoundland to the Late: Doug and Flora (Mercer) Neil. Ralph worked for the local pulp mill for 27 years. Upon his retirement he began his career in Real Estate and was a proud member of the N.S. Association of Realtors. Throughout his 50 years in Port Hawkesbury, Ralph served as a Town Councilor for 14 years, was active in the curling club for 15 years, volunteered with the Festival of the Strait and helped build the Strait Minor Soccer Association. Ralph is survived by his spouse Gwen Neil of Port Hawkesbury; His daughter Rhonda MacLean (Duncan) of Bedford and his son Scott Neil (Shelly) of Montreal; brothers Ted Neil (Joanne) of Baltimore, Maryland and Wall Neil (Hannah) of St. John's, Newfoundland; his grandchildren Emily (Mark) and Ted of Bedford, Ben and Nathan of Montreal. Predeceased by his brother Donald. Memorial donations may be made to Crohn's and Colitis Canada. Messages to the family may be conveyed at www.greensfuneralhome.ca   Further arrangements will be made at a later date.

Orde, Heather Joy
The Chronicle Herald, Halifax, June 28, 2018
Born Friday, July 8th, 1960
Died Monday, June 25th, 2018
Heather Joy Orde 57, of Hubbards, Passed away on Monday June 25, 2018 in Dartmouth General Hospital, Dartmouth. Born in Newfoundland she was the daughter of the late Charles and Mary (Watkins) Blades. Survived by her daughter, Laura (Sandy Blyth), Hubbards; sons, Bradley (Melissa), Dartmouth; Josh, Halifax; 6 grandchildren; sister, Holly Blades, Digby. Predeceased by her husband, Charles and a brother, Charles. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday July 2, 2018 in the Ronald A. Walker Funeral Home, Hubbards. Rev. laurie Omstead officiating. Online condolences can be made to www.rawalker.ca

PURCHASE, Rev. Samuel Raymond
The Chronicle Herald, Halifax, September 18, 2018
With deep regret, the Purchase family acknowledges the death of Rev. Samuel Raymond Purchase on June 10, 2018 in Ottawa, at the blessed age of 100. Born September 23, 1917 in Charles Brook, N.L., he was called to the ministry at an early age and went on to serve many United Church congregations in the Atlantic region: Glovertown, Curling, and Bay Roberts, N.L., Newcastle, Woodstock, N.B, Glace Bay and Sydney River. He was a renaissance man, a free thinker, jack of all trades. He freely supported interdenominational, inclusive worship, same-sex marriage, and gender equality, in a time when such ideas could divide a congregation. He was a poet, artist, musician, salmon fisherman and avid reader. Rev. Ray was known for his ability to get the utmost attention from his congregation with his impressive 15 minute sermons, from memory. He loved the church, and with Elsie, shared a profound love for the people of the communities they served.

Rev. Ray is survived by his children, Elayne Bonnell (Ray), Ottawa, Ont.; Peter Purchase (Flora), Goose Bay, Labrador; and Joanne Renaud, Mahone Bay. He was blessed with grandchildren, Aaron, Evan, John, Mark; and great-grandchildren, Dahlia, Owen, Penelope, Christopher, and Pauly Jordyn. He is also survived by nephew, Franklin Purchase (Cathy); and great nephews, Craig Purchase (Julie), Kevin Purchase in Newfoundland; and sister-in-law, Grace Harris, Moncton, N.B. He was predeceased by his wife, Elsie (2001); son-in-law, Maurice Renaud (2015). A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held in Knox United Church, Glace Bay, on September 23rd at 2 p.m.
"One day when my journey is done, when by the power of the sun, I am carried forth as snow or rain from mountaintop, Then I will experience second birth. Another chance to renew the earth." Rev. S.R. Purchase (2001)

Rees, Eric Anderson
The Cape Breton Post, June 25, 2018 Monday
Passed Away: June 22, 2018
Eric Rees, 84 of Glace Bay, passed away June 22, 2018 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Bell Island, NL, he was the son of the late Alfred and Mildred Rees. Eric worked as a stationary engineer on the "ice breakers" and Acadia University. For the past 15 years Eric volunteered "down the shore". He loved doing his Sudoku puzzles and reading "Downhome". Eric is survived by his wife of 58 years, Phyllis (Munden); son, Eric (Susan), Canmore, AB; daughters, Linda Smith (Danny), Chestermere, AB and Jean Morris (Debbie), Woodville, NS; brother, Charles; sisters, Joan and Evelyn, all of NL, and his grandchildren, Alex, Nick, Marcus, Kaylyn and Ayla. Eric was predeceased by his son, Charlie. Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation. A celebration of life will be held 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at St. Mary's Church, Marconi Street. Interment at a later date. Family flowers only. Donations in memory may be made to the Cancer Centre or charity of your choice. A special thanks to the many doctors and nurses who have cared for Eric over the past three years. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.tjtracey.com

SPEARNS, Kimberley Ann Marie
The Chronicle Herald, Halifax, June 28, 2018
(July 2, 1969 - June 23, 2018)
Rob and Sam Willis and family are heartbroken to announce the passing of Kimberley Ann Marie Spearns, beloved wife, mother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cherished friend to many, and so much more. There are no words to express how lost and saddened we are. Kim will forever be remembered fondly for her compassion, her kindness, her tremendous capacity to love, her thoughtfulness, her bold (and sometimes kind of racy) sense of humour, her intelligence and wisdom, her strong positivity even when the circumstances of life challenged her greatly, her zest for life and love of a good time or a good laugh, her "particularness" and her feistiness (especially at the hockey rink). It would not be possible to count the number of people who received kind and encouraging words from her.

Kim was also a very social creature who genuinely loved people and who wanted to know all about them. Whether you were a lifelong friend or someone she just met, Kim had time for you. Kim was and will always be, a "bright light" to all who knew her. She was a beacon for family and friends in need throughout her life and always went out of her way to help, comfort and support those she cared for, and she cared deeply for many. Kim's eyes literally shone with her brightness and her light. One of my nicknames for her was "bright eyes". When I would call her this, she would say "only when I look at you". But, her eyes shined brightest of all for Sam. I never stopped being amazed at Kim's complete and utter love for Sam and it made my love for her grow stronger every day. It seems a cruel irony that a woman with such a big heart would have her time with us cut short by a sudden cardiac arrest due to an inherited heart disease. Yet, we are forever grateful to have had the time with her that we did, and there are endless cherished memories of the years able to be spent together.

Though I struggle to find the right words that can even remotely describe my love, devotion, and admiration for Kim, I know that she is the best thing that ever happened to me and our time together made me a better person than I would have otherwise been. She was and will always be the love of my life, my best friend, my partner, my soul mate, my confidante, my counsellor, my match. While I suffer today, I know I am also so lucky. I got to be married to Kim Spearns and have a son with her, who is every bit as wonderful and special as she is. I also know that the pain and sorrow we feel could not exist if it were not first for the deep and unwavering love we have for Kim. It is a heavy price for sure, but a price that is unconditionally worth it, and we willingly accept that price with no regrets. For my "bright eyes", I offer some meaningful words from a sad but beautiful song that was sung by Art Garfunkel. "Bright eyes, burning like fire Bright eyes, how can you close and fail? How can the light that burned so brightly Suddenly burn so pale? Bright eyes" Of course, there are no answers to why her light had to pale so soon. We will take comfort though in the knowledge that our love for her and her love for us cannot ever pale or fade, and we know her "bright light" will find a way to guide us through the dark days ahead, as we grieve her loss. We welcome all messages, thoughts and remembrances others have for our beloved Kim. It brings us some peace to hear how she touched and influenced so many in in her life. In lieu of flowers, donations in Kim's memory may be made to the heart and Stroke Foundation.
~Rob Willis.

Starkes, Margaret "Peggy" Sharon
The Chronicle Herald, Halifax on June 16, 2018
Peggy (Margaret) Starkes, age 71, of Bedford NS, gently passed away June 14, 2018. Born in St. John's NL, she was the daughter of Japheth and Hilda (Spurrell) Starkes. Peggy was a proud Newfoundlander, who loved life, her family, and her friends. Known by most for her sense of humour, strong determination, kindness, contagious smile, and love of laughter. Peggy's passions included singing, skating, reading, and sharing good food and wine, with good people. She was fiercely proud of her children and grandchildren, and her greatest sense of loss was the knowledge she would leave them behind.

Peggy leaves behind daughters Gina and Heidi, son-in-laws Steve Brown and Rob Delvallet, grandchildren Joshua, Will & Kate Brown and Abby & Hannah Delvallet as well as a large devoted family of sisters and brothers, and much loved nieces & nephews.

The funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 19th at 5pm at Bethany United Church, 7171 Clinton Ave, Halifax NS. Cremation and arrangements have taken place under the care of T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists (902-835-4212). A special thank you to Peggy's skating friends, book club friends, and choir friends for their selfless support. Also, to the Palliative Care team in the Centennial Building, thank you for helping Peggy and her family through the most difficult times. Finally, there aren't words to express the gratitude to family members who gave so much of themselves to Mom in her last months. In lieu of flowers, donations in Peggy's memory may be made to a charity of your choice. Online condolences and sharing of memories can be made to the family by visiting www.tjtracey.com