Obituary of Howard Max Coldwell

Howard “Dick” Max Coldwell, 93 and a life-long residence of Gaspereau passed away peacefully on March 10, 2021 in the Valley Regional Hospital.  The last of his siblings, he was the son of the late Delmar Lee and Lova Blossom (Gertridge) Coldwell. Howard and brother, the late Waldon operated the Coldwell family farm throughout their lives. He always waited for the month of May to catch the yearly run of gaspereaux.

The story goes, when Howard was in his late teens he would carry a barrel of gaspereaux on his back, up the side of the mud bank of the Gaspereau River Road, They made steps into the mud bank of the road and each barrel of fish was loaded on the wagon. In the early years of farming, the cows were milked by hand, and this, Howard’s children would tease why he had such big hands.

Years went by, the labour on the farm became easier because of purchases of farming equipment. The equipment allowed D.L. Coldwell & Sons to invest in land and used it to grow extra crops of feed for the cattle. Acres of apples some peach and pear trees were also planted. The farm hired local workers to help harvest the product.

“We have fond memories of helping build the loads of hay when we were out of school for the summers, remembering the work in the hot sun.  Dad suggested, when the loads of hay were unloaded, take the old tractor tube and go down and jump in the river to get cooled off before we headed back to get more hay from the Grand Pré Dyke. That, is when the tubing started in Gaspereau River.  Growing up on the farm, working with Dad was fun and a great learning experience for life – Hard Work!”  - Howard’s children.

Howard is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Mary Catherine (Brown); daughters Linda (Keith Davidson), Greenfield; Pauline (the late Robert) Meldrum, Wolfville; LaVerne (Barry Walker), Wolfville; Mary Denise Wile (Brian Bales), Alberta; son Perry, Gaspereau; grandchildren Katrinka (Tyler Green), Tamara (Chris Sweet), Selena (Shane Eno), Greg (Anaya) Meldrum, Gary (Glori) Meldrum, Levi Coldwell, Rhonda (Brent) Pottle, Dennis (Erica) Walker, Jason (Amanda) Wile, Sarah; great-grandchildren Dylan, Brody, Ryder, Riley, Evan, Misha, Vinay, Georgia-Rae, Ella, Azi, Mandy, Larkin, Havana, Cali, Tessa, Ella, Van and Mason; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Howard was predeceased by his son Perley; brothers Neil and Waldon; sisters Josephine, Marie and Frances; sisters-in-law Hilda Jordan and Verna Atwell; brothers-in-law Lester Pick and Jack Grainger.

The family wish to thank the doctors and nurses of the Medical A Unit and Medical B Extension in the Valley Regional Hospital for their devoted care and a very special thank you to Allison and Cathy.

Due to COVID-19, there will be no visitation. A private family service will take place and Rev. Gary Manthorne to officiate; burial will take place in Gaspereau Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Gaspereau United Baptist Church (2828 Greenfield Rd, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R1). Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4R 1B9 (902-679-2822).