NEW GLASGOW - Hugh “Sparky” Paris, 91, New Glasgow, passed away Saturday, March 8, 2014 at home, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in New Glasgow, he was a son of the late Rosie Paris. Fondly known as Sparky, he was a self-employed businessperson, providing sanitation services in the New Glasgow area until the age of 89. He employed many young men, providing them with work, while teaching them ethics and life skills. Sparky began working at the age of eight to care for his family, delivering 600 newspapers daily for one penny a paper. At the age of 18 while working at Maritime Steel making artillery supplies for the war effort, he was approached one morning by two men promoting a local boxing match. For a promise of $25 for a full house, he agreed to fight and having never boxed before, trained himself for the fight. Sparky fought about 25 fights and was never knocked out. Following his ring career, he became a referee and trainer. He operated “The Paris Boys Gym”, New Glasgow from 1942-1964 and had 40 amateur and professional fighters, black and white, training in his gym at one time. Sparky was inducted into the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame, the Nova Scotia Sports Heritage Hall of Fame and the Pictou County Boxing Hall of Fame. He was a member and Honorary Chairperson of the Pictou County Heritage Sports Hall of Fame. A man of deep faith and charity, he provided food and necessities to many families over the years. Sparky was a member of Second United Baptist Church, New Glasgow where he served as trustee and with the Men’s Brotherhood for many years. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.
Surviving are his wife and companion of 47 years, Ruth Mae (Borden); daughters, Marie Symonds, Dartmouth; Aretha (Sherwyn) Davis, Detroit, Michigan; Sherri (Perry) Colley, Enfield; step-daughter, Darlene (Melvin) Burnside, Suwanee, Georgia; step-sons, Richard (Marina) Borden, Orleans, Ont.; Michael (Sheila) Reddick, Lincolnville; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides his mother, he was predeceased by his first wife, Marion Reddick; sisters, Dorothy, Sadie, Rosie and Mary; brothers, Freeman, James, Leonard, William, Leslie, Percy and Stanley; nephews, Keith and Charles.
The family will receive visitors 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. today in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home, 536 Merigomish Road, New Glasgow. Funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday in First Presbyterian Church, 208 MacLean Street, New Glasgow with Rev. Dr. Glen Matheson and Rev. Dr. Rhonda Britton officiating. Interment will be in Lorne Street Cemetery.
The Paris family wish to thank Dr. Aulayne Jeans-Mingo, Dr. Gerry Farrell and Pictou County VON for their excellent care, and extend a special thank you to Juanita MacKinnon. Donations may be made in Sparky’s memory to the Pictou County SPCA or Pictou County Sports Heritage Hall of Fame. Condolences may be offered online at www.pkmacdonald.ca

“True champion!”