Hirtle, Walter Earle~ 84, of North Kingston passed away suddenly Thursday, October 3, 2019 in Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, Middleton. Born in Wilmot, he was a son of the late Harold and Lucy (England) Hirtle. In his younger years, Walter enjoyed ponies and horses at the local exhibitions. He was a man of his word and loved people, especially his family. In his earlier years, he was employed with Loomer's Greenhouse, Acadia Dairy and Roy Hiltz Contracting Ltd. In his later years, he was self-employed and was well known locally for his topsoil delivery business which he ran with "his two honeys"- his backhoe and his dump truck. Walter loved to tease and had a nickname for everyone. He enjoyed country music and gardening and was especially well known for his tomatoes. "Maple sugar" was his favorite fiddle tune. Survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Betty (nee Penney); daughters Darlene Hirtle (Dale Gallagher), Greenfield Park, Montreal; Sandra (Burt) Zwicker, Middleton; grandchildren Krista MacLean, Montreal; Joel (Alyssa) Zwicker, Meadowvale; Alicia (Joey) Brisson, Montreal; Christopher (Laura) Zwicker, Middleton; great grandchildren Courtney, Jacob, Hans, Nikida, Leigha, Karli, Ainsley, Cyrus; brother Carl (Alice) Hyrtle, Mount Uniacke; sister-in-law Dolly (Vernon) Gebhardt, Medicine Hat, AB. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by brothers Clarence, Lester, Donald, William, Howard, Alton; sister Lois Penney. A memorial service will be held 2:00pm Wednesday, October 9, 2019 in the Middleton Funeral Home, Rev Leon Langille officiating. A reception for family and friends will follow the service. Interment will be in the North Kingston Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main St., (902) 825-3448. The family would like to thank Dr. Paul McGuire and Dr. Paul MacLean for all their years of care and would also like to thank all the doctors and nurses at Soldiers' Memorial Hospital for their wonderful care of Walter. Donations in memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of NS or Diabetes Canada. On-line guestbook may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com.