Obit (1997) - Joseph Ambrose Walter LEES

["Gerry Mattinson" <Gerry_Mattinson_uid905@yahoogroups_ .invalid>]

I don't think the following obituary has been posted before:

Feb. 3, 1997 Halifax Chronicle Herald:
LEES, Joseph Ambrose Walter - 86, 193 Herrett Rd., Springhill, died February 2, 1997, in Highland View Regional Hospital, Amherst.  Born in New Waterford, he was a son of the late Ambrose and Annie (Bagnell) Lees.  He was a member of St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church, Springhill; Royal Canadian Legion Branch 17; Springhill Senior Citizens and an honorary member of Springhill Golf Club.  He moved to Springhill as a child and began his working life in the Springhill coal mines at the age of 16.  His work in the mines was interrupted by the Second World War, when he joined the Royal Canadian Navy, where he eventually became a chief petty officer.  While in the navy, he made 44 crossings of the Atlantic Ocean on convoy duty.  When the war ended, he went back to work in the mines, as well as teaching stationary engineering in night school, and worked until the mine explosion in 1956.  In 1957, he moved to Pincher Creek, Alta., where he secured
employment with the British American Oil Company.  He retired from the oil company in 1975 and returned to Springhill in 1981.  He was a good musician who could get a tune out of most any instrument he picked up, his favorite being the banjo.  He bought his first and only banjo at the age of 20 and was still enjoying it, providing music for the senior citizens and house parites until shortly before his death.  In his early years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing.  Most recently, his hobbies, besides his music, were woodworking and making hand-crafted furniture.  He was a qualified ham radio operator and belonged to the Westcum Amateur Radio Club.  Surviving are his wife, the former Grace Frances Smith, at home; sons, Joseph, Raymond, Springhill; Arthur, Delta, B.C.; James, Calgary; William, Grande Prairie, Alta.; brother, Earl; sister, Mrs. Daisy Aitchison, both of Tatamagouche; 17 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren.  He was predeceased by
brothers, Douglas, Robert; sister, Genevia.  Visitation 7-9 p.m today, 2-4, 7-9 p.m. Tuesday in A.H. Brown Funeral Home, Springhill.  Funeral 2 p.m. Wednesday in St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church, Springhill, Rev. Elroy McKillop officiating.  Spring burial in Rodney Cemetery.  Family flowers only.  Donations to St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church or the Above and Beyond Campaign.


Hope this helps someone,
Gerry

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