HINES, Murray Lester - 83, Windsor, Hants Co., passed away peacefully Monday, December 25, 2006, in Hants Community Hospital, Windsor. Born in Windsor, he was a son of the late Harry and Sadie (Whitehead) Hines. Murray was an Electrician by trade and just prior to his retirement he had worked at the Hants Vocational School in the Maintenance Department for 15 years. He was a Noble Grand of the I.O.O.F. Pesaquid Lodge No. 38, Windsor, an active member of the Windsor Fire Department for 39 years and member of the Veterans Association for 25 years. Murray is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, the former Mabel Mumford; daughter, Barb Hines, Windsor; sisters, Mildred Messervey, New Minas; Shirley Lee, Windsor; sister-in-law, Ruby Hines; several nieces and nephews. Murray was predeceased by sisters, Pearl Fraser and Hazel Moulton; brother, Harold “Sonny� Hines. Arrangements have been entrusted to Lohnes Funeral Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317), where visitation was held 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, December 27 and where Pesaquid Lodge No. 38 conducted a tribute service at 7 p.m. Funeral service was held 2 p.m. Thursday, December 28, in Lohnes Funeral Service Chapel, Rev. Jin Woo Kim officiated. Interment was held in Maplewood Cemetery, Windsor. Family flowers only. Donations in memory of Murray were requested to be made to the Victorian Order of Nurses Annapolis Valley Branch, West Hants Office, 89 Payzant Dr., 2nd Floor, Windsor, NS B0N 2T0, or Hants Community Hospital Foundation, 89 Payzant Dr., Windsor, NS B0N 2T0. Private messages of condolence may be made in the "Guest Book" at: www.familycare.ca

CHRISTENSON, Margaret Mary – 81, Tidal View Manor, Yarmouth. Margaret did not succumb to cancer, rather, she valiantly and courageously lived a life in service to her family and her church. Born January 14, 1925 in Saint John, NB, she was a daughter of the late Daniel and Mary (Crowley) McNeill. Margaret was a homemaker, and was a member of Saint Ambrose parish, Yarmouth, through which she was affiliated with the Matthew 18 Prayer Group, as well as the Cursillo movement. She was also involved with the Literacy Council in Yarmouth, and was a Third Order Carmellite. Margaret was supported and encouraged in her vocation as a mother by friends, in particular the McNeill family, Anne B., and a group of women whom she played bridge with and with whom she shared life stories for over 25 years. Surviving are her loving children, Mark (Florette) Christenson, Halifax; Shawn (Michelle) Christenson, Yarmouth; Father Craig Christenson, Kentville; Carla (Bruce) Richards, Winslow, Maine; grandchildren, Erika, Kelcie, Megan, Kirk, Michael and Christopher. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Carl Christenson; a brother, Phillip McNeill; a sister, Theresa McNeill. Visitation took place from 2-4 and 7-9 Thursday, December 28, with prayers at 8 PM, both in H. M. Huskilson’s Funeral Home, 29 Albert Street, Yarmouth. The funeral mass was held at 11 AM, Friday, December 29 from Saint Ambrose Cathedral, Albert Street, Yarmouth, Father Craig Christenson and Father John MacPherson officiated. Interment followed in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery, Yarmouth. It was requested that there be family flowers only. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to Saint Ambrose Parish. On-line condolences may be sent to: huskilson@ns.sympatico.ca. The family wishes to note their appreciation to the Victorian Order of Nurses, Homecare, Sunset Terrace and Tidal View Manor for their loving hands and hearts throughout her last years.

THERIAULT, Claude Emile - 48, of Digby died suddenly Dec. 25 at home in Belliveau’s Cove. Funeral in St. Bernard Church.

MORTON, John Benjamin “Ben� – It is with great sadness that the family of Benjamin Morton, 68 years, announces his sudden passing on Tuesday, December 26, 2006, at home. Born May 20, 1938 in Yarmouth, he was a son of the late Donald and Dorothy (Pothier) Morton. Left to mourn are his wife of 46 years, Ann Marie (Doucette) Morton and their daughter, Joy (Garnet) Muise. Also surviving are Brent (Ronna) Jamieson and Peter (Lisette) LeBlanc, both of whom Ben and Marie were happy to have stay in their home. He is also survived by a sister, Janice (Jim) Harris; grandchildren, Crystal, Alycia and Kyle, as well as a great-grandson, Jeremy, and many nieces and nephews. Ben played music locally for 52 years with many bands, was an avid card-player and an enthusiastic sports fan and was involved in many sports on a local level, having coached basketball and umpired many baseball games at the William Street Ballpark. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 61, Yarmouth, Knights of Columbus, Council 2181, Yarmouth, the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce, Nova Scotia, and a long-time member of the Liberal Association of Nova Scotia. He was also a past auxiliary member of the Yarmouth Town Police, and a past member of the Tenancy Board. Ben will be remembered by many as having been the voice of Santa Claus for 32 years on Yarmouth’s CJLS Radio. Cremation has taken place. The family received visitors from 2-4 and again from 7-9 Friday, with prayers at 8 PM, both in H. M. Huskilson’s Funeral Home, 29 Albert Street, Yarmouth. The funeral mass was held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, December 30 from Saint Ambrose Cathedral, Albert Street, Yarmouth, Father John MacPherson officiated. Interment followed in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery, Yarmouth. It was requested that there be family flowers only. Memorial donations may be made to the Nova Scotia Heart & Stroke Foundation or to the Canadian Diabetes Association. On-line condolences may be sent to: huskilson@ns.sympatico.ca

AMIRO, Audrey Lavenia - 89, Yarmouth, passed away December 27, 2006, in Yarmouth Regional Hospital. Born in Forbes Point, she was a daughter of the late Edward James and Eunice (Forbes) Nickerson. She is survived by daughters, Maureen Mansell (Fred), Shoal Lake, Man.; Florence Maynard, Yarmouth; sons, James (Emily), Brooklyn; Burton (Alice), Truro; Reverend Larry (Fiona), Park Hill, Ont.; George (Rosalie), Beaver Bank; brother, James Nickerson, Shag Harbour; sisters, Barbara Scott, Barrington; Gertrude Jeffery, Yarmouth; Sybil Nickerson, Kingston; Mamie Forbes, Forbes Point; 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, J. Bernard; son, Irvin; sisters, Elsie Zwicker, Ruth White, Vivian Harding. Visitation was held on Friday, December 29, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in Sweeny's Funeral Home, Yarmouth, where funeral service was held 2 p.m. Saturday, December 30 at Sweeny’s Funeral Home in Yarmouth, Pastor Raymond Pitcher officiated. Burial will take place in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Donations may be made to Tidal View Manor D-Wing or a charity of choice. On-line condolences may be sent to: sweenys@ns.aliantzinc.ca. On-line guest book can be accessed at: www.sweenysfuneralhome.net

FRENCH, Douglas Arthur – 70, died Dec. 24, in Digby General Hospital. Funeral Dec. 28 in Jayne’s Funeral Home Chapel. Burial in Forest Hill Anglican cemetery at a later date.

Allison Dewitt Rafuse C.D. - 81, of South Alton, Kings County, passed away peacefully, Monday, December 25, 2006 at home. Born in Kentville on October 10, 1925, he was the son of the late Murray Allison and Viola Elizabeth (Medicraft) Rafuse. He was a veteran of the Second World War, having served overseas as a tail gunner with the 426 Thunderbird Squadron, attaining the rank of Flight Sergeant at the age of 19. He re-enlisted in the R.C.A.F. in 1949 as an electrician and retired with the rank of Master Warrant Officer in 1972. Accepting a position with Michelin Canada, he continued his employment at the Granton and Waterville plants until December of 1990. During his service, he was active with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets and was instrumental in establishing the Air Cadets summer bush camp at Gaspereau Lake. Throughout his working life, he also served many years as a scout leader and minor hockey coach. He served as a volunteer fireman and worked on the construction of the Granton Fire Hall. He is survived by his second wife, Ann den Ouden; sons, Terence (Christine), Jordan Falls; Brian (Geraldine), Nictaux; Marc, British Columbia; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Jessica Daisy (White) Rafuse and an infant sister. Visitation was held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, December 27, 2006 in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, where a combined Royal Canadian Legion and funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Thursday, December 28, 2006. Archdeacon Lynn Uzans officiated. Burial took place in the Elm Grove Cemetery, Steam Mill, Kings County. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory be made to the War Amps. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville.

HILTZ, Wilfred Angus - 73 of Nictaux passed away Monday, December 25, 2006 in Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Middleton. Born in Nictaux, he was a son of the late Wardlow and Jennie (Taylor) Hiltz. Wilfred had been employed as a sawyer at Martyn’s Mill for approximately thirty years. He was very mechanically inclined, a self described “Jack of all trades, master of none�. Wilfred built his own tractor and wood saw and also made most of his own woodworking tools, a hobby that he enjoyed a great deal. He was an avid C. B.’er known as the “Woodcutter� and also enjoyed attending yard sales. Wilfred loved his family dearly, especially his grandchildren and will be greatly missed by family and friends. Surviving are his wife the former Margaret Adams; daughter Shelley (Bob Bell) Hiltz, Halifax; sons Christopher (Tanya) and Randy (Arlene Taylor) both of Nictaux. Sisters Lexie Slauenwhite, Red Deer AB; Gladys (Don) Neary, Berwick; Joyce Cummings, Nictaux and half sister Marilyn (Al) Hasson, Fort McMurray AB. Grandchildren Justin, Zackary, Monique, Denise, Melodie and Harmony; great grandchildren Joshua, Jessica and Lorenze. He was predeceased by his first wife the former Audrey Fuller, daughter Karen and brother Lester. Visitation was held Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at the Middleton Funeral Home (902) 825-3448 where funeral service was held on Thursday, December 28th, Rev. Bill McLeod officiated. Private interment in the Nictaux Cemetery. By request family flowers only, donations in memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent to middletonfh@ns.sympatico.ca

Donald Elmer Neary - 80, of Grand View Manor, Berwick, formerly of Kentville, passed away Tuesday, December 26, 2006 in the manor. Born in Kentville, he was a son of the late Roy and Laura (Miner) Neary. He had a passion for cars, especially antiques and spent his working career as an auto mechanic, retiring from Western Tire, New Minas. He enjoyed music, playing the mandolin and fiddle and was a former member of the Kings Fiddlers. He is survived by his wife, the former Gladys Hiltz, Grand View Manor; two daughters, Wendy (Jerry) Henderson, Trenton, Ontario; Teresa, Port Williams; three grandchildren, Ryan Morse, Tyler Morse and Hayley Lowry; a great grandson, Jack. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was predeceased by an infant son, Byron; three sisters, Frances Neary, Doris Bigger and Mildred Neary; a brother, Sheldon Neary. Visitation was held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, December 28, 2006 in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, where the funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Friday, December 29, 2006. Reverend Elizabeth Johnson officiated. Burial took place in the Elm Grove Cemetery, Steam Mill, Kings County. Family flowers only, by request. Donations in memory may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville.

Marjorie Burdette Stokes - 101, formerly of Kentville, passed away Thursday, December 28, 2006 in Parkstone Enhanced Care, Halifax. Born in Amherst, she was a daughter of the late John and Lillian (Hire) Twaddle. After her marriage, Marjorie moved to Kentville in 1935, where she was a member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church and the Catholic Women’s League. She is survived by two daughters, Mary (Leonard) Canfield, Halifax; Barbara (Raymond) Picot, Bathurst, New Brunswick; a son, Reverend David H. Stokes, Donnellans Brook, Kings County; a sister, Veronica Lewis, Nanaimo, British Columbia; four grandchildren, three great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Hilbert H. Stokes; four sisters, Beryl, Catherine, Norma and Frances; three brothers, Bernard, James and Maurice. Visitation was held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, December 29, 2006 with prayers held at 8 p.m., both in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville. The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 30, 2006 in St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Kentville. Reverend David Stokes officiated. Burial took place in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Kentville. Donations in memory may be made to St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church Building Fund, the Canadian Cancer Society or the charity of your choice. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Sisters of Charity and the staff of Parkstone Enhanced Care for the kind and compassionate care provided to our mother. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville.