Obituary of Chester Gordon Reese

Chester Gordon Reese, 92 years old, of Cottage Cove and New Minas, N.S.  was called home by the Lord on February 25th, 2019 to continue his work in God's gardens. He fought a brave battle with cancer and concussion following a fall several months prior, but never uttered a complaint. He died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family and his minister. He was born on June 23rd, 1926 in Cambridge, N.S. to the late Clarence and Dorothy (Reese) Perry.

After having to leave school, at the age of 14, to help support his family, he worked on the family farm until the age of 17, when he enrolled to serve with the Royal Canadian Medical Corps. After his discharge in March 1947, he worked briefly on the farm before he began his venture into the world of sales. He worked at Keyes Fibre, Hantsport; was the Manager of the Dominion Store, Kentville for three years; travelling salesman for Purity Flour for three years; the Store Manager for Slack’s Electric, in Kentville for nine years; and was the Assistant Manager of produce at Scotian Gold Co-op, in Kentville for 21 years. Following his time at Scotian Gold, he formed Reese Enterprises Ltd., brokering a wide array of fruits and vegetables for the next nine years.

In 1949, he married the love of his life, Dorothy Hutchinson, and over the next several years became the proud father of three daughters. They shared 63 wonderful years together and served their Lord faithfully. He was a wonderful husband and father and a firm believer in doing things together as a family. Attending worship services at St. Paul and St. Stephen United Church, beachcombing, travel and camping were regular family activities. In 1989, with the Lord's guidance, they purchased four acres of paradise in Cottage Cove, N.S., where they built a home and planted their well-known Sea Edge gardens. Chester was involved in his community and always believed in giving a helping hand. In earlier years, he was the Chairman of the New Minas Home and School, Scout leader for the 4th Kentville Troop, as well as a volunteer for several organizations including: both Kentville and New Minas Fire Departments, the Dept. of Lands and Forests, the Canadian March of Dimes, and the Canadian Red Cross.

He had exemplary carpenter skills and built both of his family homes in New Minas and Cottage Cove, as well as helped to remodel two of the churches he attended. The New Minas United Church was remodelled from a truck garage and the Emmanuel Congregational Church in Middleton from an old school. He was on the founders committee for both of these churches and served on several different boards at Emmanuel, always pitching in where he was needed.

He is survived by three daughters: Debbie (Wilfred) Ells, Woodside; Sherry Hockey, New Minas; Wanda (John) Corey, Harbour View Haven, Lunenburg and New Minas; six grandchildren: Peter (Jill Johnson) Ells, Whitecourt, Alberta; Alicia (Jay) MacIntyre, Portuguese Cove, N.S.; Michael Ells, New Brunswick; Sarah (David) Stewart, South Lake, PEI; Jonathan (Laura Coelho) Corey, New Minas; and Katrina (Scott Hendrick) Hockey, Parsonsfield, Maine; as well as eight great grandchildren: Charlotte MacIntyre, Colin MacIntyre, Finley Hendrick, Wyatt Ells, Jake Stewart, Ryker Stewart, Logan Coelho and Benjamin Ells.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his dearly beloved wife Dorothy (Dot), brother Sonny (Clarence St. Clair), sister Betty (Max) Boylen and infant twin granddaughter, Melissa Eaton.

We would like to extend our many thanks for the caring support of the VON, Care Force and the Palliative Care team, allowing our father to remain home at his much beloved Sea Edge, during his journey from here to his Heavenly home.

A visitation will take place on Friday, March 1, 2019 from 6:00-8:00 pm in the Berwick Funeral Chapel. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 2:00 pm in the Emmanuel Congregational Church. Family Flowers only. Memorial donations may be made to the Emmanuel Congregational Church, VON or CAREY ME Fund at VRH (Supporting palliative Care Patients in the home). Service video stream will be available on the Emmanuel Congregational Church facebook page.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, Berwick Funeral Chapel, 192 Commercial Street, Berwick, NS, B0P 1E0 (902-538-9900).

Funeral Service of Chester Reese.