WOLFVILLE
Dr. Paul Eric Kinsman, 83, of Wolfville, passed away Sunday, May 11, 2014 in the Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville. Born March 5, 1931 in Berwick, he was the youngest son of the late William North and Bernice (White) Kinsman. A well-known and well-loved son of Kings County, with strong ancestral ties and a deep-rooted commitment to the region. Dr. Kinsman was a true gentleman, dedicated and devoted to his family, and to those he served as a physician and elected representative. Paul graduated from Horton Academy and subsequently studied at both Acadia University and the Nova Scotia Normal College. Following this, he taught school in Welsford, NS for a year then entered Dalhousie University from where he graduated in 1957 with Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery Degrees. He later earned a B.A. in Political Science from Acadia (1972). Dr. Kinsman practiced as a family physician in Aylesford for 10 years; then for nearly forty years in Wolfville. In the final twenty years of his practice, he enjoyed the assistance of his wife Sharon. They retired together in 2006. Dr. Kinsman served on the medical staff of hospitals in Berwick, Wolfville, Middleton and Kentville. Paul participated in several local and national medical societies, and in 2001 he was awarded an Honorary Life Membership in the Canadian College of Family Physicians. Paul was a man of remarkable and seemingly boundless energy. Beyond his busy medical practice, he selflessly gave his time to many organizations including the Acadia University Board of Governors and Senate. A great passion of his was the Air Cadet League of Canada, an organization for which he was the National President from 1982-83 and a life member of their advisory board. Paul also dedicated a great deal of time to municipal and provincial politics. He was elected to the provincial government as MLA for Kings West from 1963-67, for Kings South in 1984, and served as Mayor of Wolfville from 1974-76. Music and the church were integral to Paul’s life. A talented musician, he sang in church and secular choirs throughout his life. The Wolfville Baptist Church, First Baptist Church Halifax, Aylesford Baptist Church, and St. John’s Anglican Church in Wolfville all benefited from his beautiful tenor voice and skills as a choir director. Paul loved Gilbert and Sullivan, and while at Dal, sang in the chorus for “The Mikado”. Until recent years, he sang in the Acadia University Chorus. Paul Kinsman was happiest when with his family and friends. He loved to entertain, dance, and share his joie-de-vivre with others. He took pleasure in flying, curling, boating, water-skiing and in times spent at the cottage. He loved the out-of-doors, never missing an opportunity to garden, or to be in, on, or near the water. He lived life to the fullest and never tired of helping and inspiring others to do the same. He will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, the former Sharon Cleveland; four sons, Aaron (Lynn), Oakville, Ontario; Karl (Tracy-Elaine), Kentville; Benjamin (Sarah), Coquitlam, British Columbia; and Joseph (Naomi), Coldbrook; a sister, Joyce (Murray) Brydon, Berwick; nine grandchildren, Zachary, Andrew, Quinn, Emmanuelle, Griffin, Abby, Ellington, Arabella and Warren; many nieces, nephews and extended family members. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters, Margaret Porter and Louise Porter; four brothers, Robert, Allison, William and George. Cremation has taken place. Visitation was held from 6-9 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2014 in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville. The funeral service was held at 10:00 am Saturday May 17th in the Wolfville Baptist Church, with reception following, Canon Russell Elliott officiating. Donations in memory may be made to the Annapolis Valley Music Festival or the charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville, Nova Scotia. On-line inquires may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.