BENT, Harry Sponagle - 92, passed away on Saturday, August 30, 2014 in Veterans Units, Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Middleton, NS where he had been residing since March 2012. Born on August 13, 1922 in River Hebert, NS, he was the son of the late John and Muriel (Sponagle) Bent. At a very young age the family moved to Amherst, NS, where Harry enjoyed the rest of his childhood. Following graduation from high school in 1939 he worked for a short time at the Dunlap Hardware Store in Amherst until he was hired on at Canada Car and Foundry, assembling Anson Aircraft for the war effort. Always interested in flying, he enlisted in October 1941 in the RCAF, achieving the rank of Flying Officer, and flew submarine patrols and convoy escorts out of Gander, Nfld. until the war ended. After the war he worked for about 10 years in the oil burner service department at Imperial Oil in Halifax. He then changed careers and for the next 10 years made his living as a successful life insurance agent for Mutual Life of Canada, achieving the designation of Charted Life Underwriter. In 1965 he was approached to take a position in the training department at Mutual Life's head office in Waterloo, Ontario, which he accepted. In 1973 Harry took his career in an entirely new direction when he chose to return to Halifax and open the first Sam the Record Man franchise store outside of Ontario, at which he worked until his retirement in 1987. From a young age Harry had a love of music and as a teenager took up the saxophone. He played with various groups and eventually formed his own band, The Modernaires, in the early 1950s. Harry always had a great interest in automobiles and following his retirement he enjoyed attending antique car shows. He was also a skilled woodworker. Through his life he took an active part in building two of his homes plus a cottage and after he retired he had a hobby workshop where he turned out many quality woodworking projects. He had a mischievously quick wit and wonderful sense of humour. Always a gentleman, courteous and thoughtful, Harry enjoyed the company of others and was always eager to lend a helping hand. Active for many years in the United Church of Canada, he served at various times as Tyro leader, Scout leader, Sunday school teacher and elder. In later years he enjoyed singing in a men's choir and was a member of Melvern Square United Baptist Church. He will be sadly missed by his daughter, Carol Wright, Saint John, N.B.; son, Christopher (Ampai) Bent, Windsor, Ont.; grandchildren Stephen and Cheryl Wright; Candice and Cynthia Bent; great-granddaughters, Melissa Bent and Emily Wright; stepchildren Judy (Joe)Brown-Steele; Joan (Paul) Marshall; Arnold (Darlene) Brown; many beloved step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren and step-great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother Herb (June) Bent, Trenton, Ont.; sister Ruby Coulson, Baltimore, Ont. He was predeceased by his first wife, Muriel Miller, and his late wife, Shirley (Veinott) Brown; brothers Larry and Al; sisters Lois and Ruth. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held 2:00PM Thursday, September 4, 2014 in the Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main St., (902) 825-3448 with Rev. Leon Langille officiating. A reception for family & friends will follow the service. Interment will be in the Church Grove Cemetery, Melvern Square. Donations in Harry's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Society or Veterans Unit, Soldiers Memorial Hospital. On-line guest book may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com