Here's a few pics I have of my grandpa from the last year...I have to say that he was looking pretty good for 93 years old!!

And here's his obituary...
MARTIN, William Patrick "Bill" - Passed away on Monday, April 28, 2008, in the Camp Hill Veterans' Memorial Building, QEII, Halifax. A son of the late Florence (Soward) and Thomas Martin, Bill was born January 29, 1915. He was a lifelong resident of Armdale and was at home on the waters of the Northwest Arm and Atlantic Ocean. He served his country during the Second World War as a wireless operator in the Royal Canadian Navy, on ships including the HMCS Restigouche. Bill had a passion for sports, especially rowing, paddling, hockey, sailing, and he loved walking in the woods, hunting and gardening. He could be seen sculling his rowing shell on the waters of the Northwest Arm into his mid eighties. Bill worked for Customs Canada in many capacities including Registrar of Shipping. He was a lifetime member of the Armdale Yacht Club where he sailed for many years and held executive positions including two terms as Commodore. He sailed in serveral ocean races including nine Marblehead races, and several Newport to Bermuda Races. He was a mentor for many young sailors, and was proud to lead the organizing committee of the first Tall Ships visit to Halifax in 1984. Bill returned to the sport of rowing in the 1980s and helped revive the Halifax Rowing Club. Throughout his life, Bill competed and won many rowing regattas such as Cogswell Harbour Championships in the 1930s, and would later compete at the Head of Charles River Regatta in Boston, Mass., in his seventies. During one such visit to Boston in the 1980s, Bill was scouted by the Ralph Lauren modeling agency and appeared as a Ralph Lauren model in national fashion magazines. Bill and his wife Angela enjoyed their camp in Dean, Musquodoboit Valley, where they spent countless hours gardening and walking in the summers, and cross-country skiing in the winters. They spent many winters in Florida together with family and friends. He was predeceased by wife, Angela (Vaughan). Surviving are his sisters, Irene (Jeff Goode), Mary (Murphy), Joan (Murphy); daughters, Pat and husband Brian Church, Halifax; Peggy and husband Keith Taylor, Wellington; and Jeanne and husband David Ehler, Hubbards; grandchildren, Jonathan (Rachael), Chris, Tim (Penny) and Andrew Church, Ariel (Norm Nelson), Jordan, Hannah, Caleb and Tara Ehler; and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by sisters, Kathleen (Bailly) and Florence (DeBelie); brothers George, Edward, Thomas and Clarence, and infant brother Thomas. His greatest love was his family. He had a full and exciting life and retold his many wonderful experiences with passion at family gatherings. The family wish to thank RJF Home Care, especially Charles Spurr his long-time care worker, and the staff at Camp Hill Veterans' Memorial Building, QEII, where Bill spent the last four months of his life under their watchful, kind and compassionate care. Visitation will be Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 2666 Windsor St., Halifax. Funeral mass will be Thursday at 10 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Church, Armdale. Interment at a later date. Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia. E-mail condolences to: condolences.snow@ns.aliantzinc.ca
I g2g shower and get ready to go!!
6 comments:
Hi Ariel, this is kind of weird you don't know me, I kind of started reading your blog from Karen Bing's Blog. We grew up in the same neighborhood. Anyways I was just reading your grandfathers obituary and noticed it sounded a lot like my grandfathers. I wonder if they knew each other? My grandfather passed away in November 2000 his name was William "Bill" Harris, he to was also a life long member of the Armdale Yacht club and sailed in the Marblehead races and down to Bermuda. Anyways I just thought it was neat!
I am so sorry to hear about your Grandfather. You're right though he's definately in a MUCH better place. Hope the flight is good and that we get to see you when you're here!
Dear Ariel,
I am sorry to hear that your dear grandfather has slipped his moorings (as we say in Bermuda). To lose such a gentleman and a great rower is always sad.
Please pass our condolences to the rest of your family and to his crew.
God Bless,
Michael Swain
President
Bermuda Rowing Association
www.bermudarowing.com
Hey Ariel..
I was so sad to read about your grandfather...i know that you guys were close since you lived with him for awhile. But you are right he is in a better place and with his wife...and I'm sure he missed her!! I'm glad you and norm are able to get back here...hope to see you guys! Lots of love!!
I am so sorry to hear the news...but you are right he is in a better place with the loves of his life. Hope your enjoying your stay in Nova Scotia.
I'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather. I remember you telling us about him when we visited his home. You were so proud of his accomplishment and loved him dearly. He's probably so happy right now. I hope all is well. Take care!
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