Obituary of George Edward Helpard

Helpard, George Edward - 95, South Waterville, Kings Co., passed away on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, in the Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville. Born in Halifax, he was a son of the late Theodore and Annie (Spinks) Helpard. George had a great love for music and started his musical career in the Annapolis Valley as a teenager playing at local dances, and eventually partnering up with Hank Snow and his travelling music show, taking in Hank as a boarder. He later hosted his own show, - The Troubadour Cowboy쳌 on C.H.N.S. Radio in Halifax. George had his own band, - The Tower Light Quartet쳌. He had worked as a Tram Car Operator and as a cook on the C.N.R. before becoming a master mechanic in Halifax. Upon his return to the valley in "retirement", George started a career as a carpenter for Topline Ventures, New Minas. He was a master story teller and had a great sense of humour. Surviving are his son, Barry (Angie Johnstone); daughter, Sandra Caines, all of South Waterville; grandchildren, Michael, Eli, Elisa, Ezbon, Matthew, Candice; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, June (Lou) Torok, Calgary, Alberta; Diane (Dean) Lutz, Berwick; several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Jean P. (Lloyd) Helpard; a stillborn son; son-in-law, George Caines; brothers, Arthur, Wenton, Ray and Francis; sisters, Joyce Hogan; Annie Robar; Florence Clarke. There will be no visitation and a private family gathering will take place at a later date. No flowers by request, donations in his memory may be made to the I.W.K. Health Centre Foundation, Halifax, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, Canadian Red Cross Society or to the Victorian Order of Nurses, Annapolis Valley Branch. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the H.C. Lindsay Funeral Home and Crematorium, 192 Commercial St., Berwick, N.S., B0P 1E0, (902-538-9900). Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.lindsayfuneralhome.ca