By Jennifer Hoegg
The Hants Journal/NovaNewsNow.com
Strong, spring sunshine broke through the dark rain clouds that surrounded Windsor as hundreds gathered to celebrate the life of Howard “Howie” Dill.
Dill passed away May 20, at the age of 73, from inoperable liver cancer. He is survived by a large, loving family, including his wife Hilda, and children Danny, Andrew, Maureen and Diana.
Family and friends were joined by local dignitaries in remembering the famous farmer, including former premier and federal cabinet minister Gerald Regan, current provincial Liberal leader Stephen McNeil, and Hants West MLA Chuck Porter.
Mourners at the Saturday afternoon service were greeted by the sound of bagpipes and an honour guard of Mounties in red serge and fire fighters in gleaming uniforms, carrying national and provincial flags.
Windsor’s United Church overflowed, so speakers were used to broadcast the service to those gathered outside. Throughout the ceremony, passersby stepped off the sidewalk to sign the guest book.
Celebration of a fruitful life
Inside, pumpkin-orange blossoms surrounded the casket, as the congregation remembered Dill with prayer, music, smiles, laughter, even applause.
“What better day for us to celebrate the life of Howie Dill than the first day of the Stanley Cup Playoffs,” Rev. Gibson said. Adding how fitting it was to say “goodbye” to the king of pumpkins just as next fall’s crop begins to sprout in the fields and gardens of Hants County.
Officiating with Lindsay Rankin of St. John's Presbyterian Church, Gibson delivered the eulogy. He shared stories from the family of Christmas traditions, springtime road trips, practical jokes, hockey and how Dill “always challenged the family to be a better person.”
Gibson recounted how, in his last weeks at home, Dill planted seeds, trimmed trees and tended to his written records, calling the famous grower a “model of hope, vision and love.”
In testament to how the farmer touched people far beyond Windsor, Gibson shared messages from people around the world. Many notes were from visitors who remember how warmly Dill greeted them when they stopped by his farm.
“His life continues in the memories we share, in the stories we tell and in the seeds we sow.”
The service included a musical tribute from Kentville musician Ken Best, performing his song “Pumpkin Harvest Time in the Valley,” which dubs Dill “A farmer everyone loves to know.”
The Saturday afternoon service was followed by interment at Maplewood Cemetery and a reception at the Royal Canadian Legion. Pallbearers were Lionel Aylward, David Coombs, Josh Dill, Lanny Harbord, Averett Huntley, Barry Maxner, Gordon Levy and Gary Ettinger. Honorary bearers were Joey Dill, Bill Foley, Keith Tomlinson, Ed Trinacty, Moe Smith and Greg Schofield.
Political tributes
Hants-West MLA Chuck Porter called for a moment of silence in the Legislature this week for “kind and thoughtful man” and extending sympathies on behalf of Nova Scotians to Dill’s wife, Hilda, children, Andrew, Danny, Maureen and Diana, and grandchildren.
Porter later told The Hants Journal, “Howard Dill was an agricultural icon and a great ambassador for our province. He brought people from all over the world to our community because of his remarkable talent in the pumpkin growing industry, a real gentlemen, the pumpkin king! He will be missed and talked about often by those who knew him.
Kings-Hants MP Scott Brison was unable to attend Dill’s funeral because he was in Germany for a NATO parliamentary conference. He honoured Dill on his website this week, writing, “Howard was literally a giant, and not just for breeding the Atlantic Giant pumpkin. His boundless community spirit, his enormous kind heart and his immense passion to make a difference made him a leader and example for others to follow.”
By Jennifer Hoegg
The Hants Journal/NovaNewsNow.com
Strong, spring sunshine broke through the dark rain clouds that surrounded Windsor as hundreds gathered to celebrate the life of Howard “Howie” Dill.
Dill passed away May 20, at the age of 73, from inoperable liver cancer. He is survived by a large, loving family, including his wife Hilda, and children Danny, Andrew, Maureen and Diana.
Family and friends were joined by local dignitaries in remembering the famous farmer, including former premier and federal cabinet minister Gerald Regan, current provincial Liberal leader Stephen McNeil, and Hants West MLA Chuck Porter.
Mourners at the Saturday afternoon service were greeted by the sound of bagpipes and an honour guard of Mounties in red serge and fire fighters in gleaming uniforms, carrying national and provincial flags.
Windsor’s United Church overflowed, so speakers were used to broadcast the service to those gathered outside. Throughout the ceremony, passersby stepped off the sidewalk to sign the guest book.
Celebration of a fruitful life
Inside, pumpkin-orange blossoms surrounded the casket, as the congregation remembered Dill with prayer, music, smiles, laughter, even applause.
“What better day for us to celebrate the life of Howie Dill than the first day of the Stanley Cup Playoffs,” Rev. Gibson said. Adding how fitting it was to say “goodbye” to the king of pumpkins just as next fall’s crop begins to sprout in the fields and gardens of Hants County.
Officiating with Lindsay Rankin of St. John's Presbyterian Church, Gibson delivered the eulogy. He shared stories from the family of Christmas traditions, springtime road trips, practical jokes, hockey and how Dill “always challenged the family to be a better person.”
Gibson recounted how, in his last weeks at home, Dill planted seeds, trimmed trees and tended to his written records, calling the famous grower a “model of hope, vision and love.”
In testament to how the farmer touched people far beyond Windsor, Gibson shared messages from people around the world. Many notes were from visitors who remember how warmly Dill greeted them when they stopped by his farm.
“His life continues in the memories we share, in the stories we tell and in the seeds we sow.”
The service included a musical tribute from Kentville musician Ken Best, performing his song “Pumpkin Harvest Time in the Valley,” which dubs Dill “A farmer everyone loves to know.”
The Saturday afternoon service was followed by interment at Maplewood Cemetery and a reception at the Royal Canadian Legion. Pallbearers were Lionel Aylward, David Coombs, Josh Dill, Lanny Harbord, Averett Huntley, Barry Maxner, Gordon Levy and Gary Ettinger. Honorary bearers were Joey Dill, Bill Foley, Keith Tomlinson, Ed Trinacty, Moe Smith and Greg Schofield.
Political tributes
Hants-West MLA Chuck Porter called for a moment of silence in the Legislature this week for “kind and thoughtful man” and extending sympathies on behalf of Nova Scotians to Dill’s wife, Hilda, children, Andrew, Danny, Maureen and Diana, and grandchildren.
Porter later told The Hants Journal, “Howard Dill was an agricultural icon and a great ambassador for our province. He brought people from all over the world to our community because of his remarkable talent in the pumpkin growing industry, a real gentlemen, the pumpkin king! He will be missed and talked about often by those who knew him.
Kings-Hants MP Scott Brison was unable to attend Dill’s funeral because he was in Germany for a NATO parliamentary conference. He honoured Dill on his website this week, writing, “Howard was literally a giant, and not just for breeding the Atlantic Giant pumpkin. His boundless community spirit, his enormous kind heart and his immense passion to make a difference made him a leader and example for others to follow.”
