Samuel Benvie “Ben” Cummings, 90, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather was born February 2, 1924 and died on April 11, 2014 at the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow.
Born at home in Stellarton, he was a son of the late Samuel Skinner and Carrie (White) Cummings.
A coal miner by trade he worked underground for 43 years at the Princess Colliery in Cape Breton, and the Albion, MacGregor and Alan Shaft in Stellarton, as well as the MacBain Mine in Thorburn. He enjoyed physical work and the camaraderie of the men he worked with.
He served in the Canadian Armed Forces during World War II in the Signal Core. He was an avid reader and gardener and was quite a story teller. He would always say his turnips were so big he had to use a wheel barrel to carry them into the house. Dad had a passion for the outdoors, where he loved to spend time hunting and fishing. Dad liked to share hunting stories with his grandson Jason and they enjoyed teasing each other about who got the biggest deer. A twinkle always came to his eyes when he was relating how he shot a deer or caught the biggest fish. He won a tall tales award at the fishing expo. He was a member of the Pictou County Rivers Association.
Dad is survived by his loving wife Bernette (Young) of 70 years and his caring family, daughters: Carolyn (Carrie) Cummings, Dartmouth; Leanne (Brian) Morgan, Prince George, BC; Linda (Lloyd) MacKay, New Glasgow; Sue (Rick) Cummings, Dartmouth; a son Ben (Anne) Cummings, Pine Tree; 14 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, a brother Allister (Barbara), Fredericton; a sister Dorothy (Earl) Irvine, Edmonton; several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by sisters Lorraine and Helen Scott, brothers: Dorman, Knight and George.
Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. til 2:45 p.m. Sunday at the H.C. MacQuarrie Funeral Chapel, Stellarton, from where funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. with Rev. Charles McPherson presiding. A reception will follow.
Burial will take place at a later date in the Brookside Cemetery, New Glasgow.
Family flowers only. Donations in dad’s memory may be made to the Nova Scotia Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the Aberdeen Hospital Palliative Care Society.
Special thanks to Dr. Monica Rowicka, Dr. Roy, Dr. Farrell and the Nursing Staff of the 4th floor (South) and the Nursing Staff of the Palliative Care Unit, Marjorie MacDonald (Medi Clinic), the VON, and the Dept. of Veterans Affairs for the wonderful care and concern for our dad.
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