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ATWOOD, George Wickens — 1920-2009, Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia passed away June 12, 2009, at the age of 88 in the V.G. Site, QEII, after a brief
battle with cancer. Born in Atwood's Brook, Shelburne Co., he was the son of the late George and Gladys (Wickens) Atwood. George was a patriot and proud veteran, serving
in the Canadian Forces from 1940-1945 with the South Alberta Regiment and the West Nova Scotia Regiment. During his time with the military, George was stationed in
Canada, Brussels, Britain and Holland, and was a recipient of many service medals, including the CVSM, Victory, France-Germany Star, Defence Medal and Dutch Medal. After
his time in the service, George was an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion. A life member of the Calais Branch 162, Royal Canadian Legion, Lower Sackville, George
was instrumental in the development of the Sackville Legion Seniors Recreation Club, as well as taking part in school visitations and poppy sales. He also had his own
special chair at the "Liar's Table". Employed with D.N.D. and Naval Fire Service for 37 years, George was also heavily involved with the Sackville and District Volunteer
Fire Department from its inception in 1955, serving over the years as Captain, Deputy Chief and as Fire Chief. He was also past President of the Halifax County Fire
Chiefs, and was instrumental in the founding of the Fire Fighters Training School in Waverley. When the new fire station was built in Lower Sackville, the volunteer
firefighters section of the station was dedicated as the "George Atwood Room". Possessing a strong sense of civic mindedness and personal duty, George was well-known in
volunteer circles, lending much time, effort and dedication to many causes to help improve the community he loved. He was a life member of the Board of Directors of the
Lake District Recreation Association, and worked diligently to provide recreation facilities and activities in Lower Sackville, including the Sackville Sports Stadium
where he regularly swam until his 86th year. George was also a founding member and Honorary Board Member of the Sackville Seniors Advisory Council (Silver and Gold
Centre). George was a member of the Sackville Chamber of Commerce and founding member of the Sackville Winter Carnival, where he served as Area Chairman as well as on the
executive of the carnival. A founding member of the Sackville/Bedford Meals on Wheels program, George served as Fundraising Chairman for 10 years, and remained an active
volunteer with the organization for the rest of his life. As an active volunteer in local politics, George was a proud member of the New Democratic Party, and was
thrilled to witness the NDP's majority win in Nova Scotia, just days before his passing. In recognition of his outstanding record of service to his community, George
received many awards, certificates and dedications, including the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for Volunteers, the Fire Service Exemplary Service Medal on behalf of the
Governor General of Canada and The Ted E. Blackburn Award from the Sackville Heritage Society. In 2007, with family members proudly looking on, George was humbled to have
a Habitat for Humanity House named "Atwood House" in recognition of all he has done for the community of Lower Sackville. When not working or volunteering, George could
most often be found in one of his wonderful gardens. An avid gardener, George spent countless hours cultivating the fresh vegetables and fruit he loved to feed to his
family and friends. Family was important to George, and he loved cooking for family dinners, preparing his famous dishes of lobster, chowder and hodge-podge. He also was
an fan of ox-pulls, looking forward each summer to his annual trip to the Bridgewater Exhibition. While he loved dearly his community of Lower Sackville, George
maintained his roots in the South Shore his entire life, making frequent visits to the family home in Atwood's Brook. George was predeceased by a son in infancy; sisters,
Eileen (Cecil) Huskins and Marion (Joseph) Greenwood; brother, Hubert (Marion) Atwood and niece, Gail Mims. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sarah (Nickerson)
Atwood; daughters, Louise (Phillip) Pointon and Janice Atwood (Gilles Duhamel); grandchildren, Sarah Pointon (Stephen Forshner) , William Pointon, Krista (Darren)
Smethurst and Jennifer Myra (Troy Higdon) ; great-grandchildren, Jessica, Cole and Samuel; brother, Stanley (Mary Ann) Atwood. Visitation will be held 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Monday in Atlantic Funeral Home, 125 Sackville Dr. with a legion ceremony at 7 p.m. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday in Sackville Baptist Church, 1240 Old
Sackville Rd., Rev. Wade Harvey officiating. Burial to follow in Oakridge Memory Gardens. A reception will then be held in the Royal Canadian Legion, Lower Sackville,
Calais Branch 162. Family flowers only please. Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or charity of one's choice. On-line condolences may be made to:
http://www.atlanticfuneralhomes.com. The family extends special thanks to the VON nurses and
palliative care nurses, The Cobequid Health Centre, Rev. Wade Harvey and Mr. Jack Hatcher.
To a much loved friend, neighbour, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather - we are going to miss you so very much, and our lives are so much better for having
known you.
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