Garnet Earl MacMurtery - April 16, 2020

With heartfelt sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved father, brother and grandfather at Graceview Seniors Residence in Victoria Vale, Annapolis County in his 103rd year.
Born in Margaretsville, NS, on September 13, 1917, Earl was the son of Alvah and Isabelle MacMurtry and lived there until moving to Truro for work. Following his marriage to Nelle Graves of Port Williams, Kings Co., NS, in 1942, they spent the remaining war years in N.B. where Earl served in aircraft radio maintenance at AOS Chatham. In 1945 they returned to Truro where they raised their three daughters. Earl joined the staff of The Atlantic Electric Store and then transferred to Electrical Distributors in 1949, rising from Services Manager to Sales Manager, then Director of Commercial Sales for the Atlantic provinces until retirement in 1984.
Business trips and conventions took him to many destinations, often with Nelle, including Japan, Scandinavia, the North and South Poles, and Hawaii. Cruises and other trips took them to Europe and Caribbean as well as several road trips across Canada and to every state in the USA.
Earl was active in many community organizations. He was a member of First United Church in Truro for 46 years, serving on the Board of Stewards & Elder Committees, Secretary then President of Colchester County Boy Scouts executive for 6 years, member of The Oddfellows Lodge, President of Truro Curling Club, and Life Member of Truro Kiwanis Club with over 26 years perfect attendance during which he served as President then Lieutenant-Governor - District 19.
Earl was a keen sportsman, enjoying both hunting and fishing. He was an active member of Truro Golf Club, then Eden Golf Club in Annapolis County after retirement, where he had a hole-in-one in his eighties. He was an avid card player, especially bridge and crib. He enjoyed singing and music, and never missed a Nova Scotia Tattoo.
For over thirty years he and Nelle spent summers at their cottage at Shortt's Lake sharing happy times with friends and celebrating special occasions with family from away. After retirement they spent winters in Florida where he renewed his love of golf and enjoyed activities of park community life.
In later years he and Nelle built a home in Middleton to be near his family. They became members of St. John's United Church where he served on the Board of Stewards. He joined the Middleton Curling Club, volunteered many years for Meals on Wheels and was an active member of the Order of Good Cheer.
He was dedicated to his family and many friends, an avid reader and reached out to other seniors who were not able to do for themselves. Earl loved nothing more than sharing a drive in the country reminiscing about local life in earlier times. Earl and Nelle were devoted to each other during 62 years of marriage.
His family have been blessed by his presence in our lives for so many years sharing his love, companionship, positive outlook, integrity, strength of character and devotion, for which we are eternally grateful.
Predeceased by his wife of 62 years Nelle, Earl is survived by his daughters Lynn (late Robert Schnare) Ottawa; Genie, Bedford; Claire (Stephen Moffat) Calgary; grandchildren Michael Schnare (Teresa Gnoato), Vancouver; Holly Schnare, Ottawa; sisters Gladys Stronach (late Clinton), Wolfville; Margaret Weaver (late Rupert), Margaretsville; Sandra Baker (late Arnold), Margaretsville; sister-in-law Irene, Kingston; and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by brothers, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Roland (Edith); Ivan (Phyllis); Louis; Ashley; and sister Dorothy (Carl Smith, Earle Mitchell).

Earl was a resident at Graceview Seniors Residence in Victoria Vale for his last year and a half, where he thrived under the love, care and attention provided by Lorraine, Richard, Christopher and Joshua White, Emma Weatherby and LPN Michelle Lindow. This was the best gift for his family, and for which his daughters are forever grateful.
Due to the current pandemic restrictions, there will be a private interment.
Those wishing to make a donation in Earl's memory can do so to The Parkinson's Society of Canada, The Canadian Cancer Society or St. John's United Church in Middleton, Nova Scotia.
Earl's wishes were for a religious service, followed by a reception. The time and location for this service will be announced when public health restrictions are lifted. The family hopes these restrictions will be lifted in time for his 103rd birthday in September. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main Street, toll free 1-855-825-3448. Online guestbook may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com