Paul Rupert Whitman
Born: October 22nd, 1924
Passed on: April 4th, 2017
Paul Rupert Whitman, aged 92 of Berwick, Kings Co., formerly of Kentville and Sydney Mines, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 4, 2017, in Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville. Born in Port Hilford, Guysborough Co., on October 22, 1924, he was a son of the late Rev. Asaph and Alice Blanche (Sanford) Whitman. Paul grew up in Sheffield Mills. He moved to Bedford in 1941 and joined the R.C.A.F. in 1943. After discharge in January 1946, Paul entered Simmons School of Embalming and Mortuary Science, Syracuse, N.Y. Following graduation he returned to Nova Scotia to work with H.C. Lindsay Funeral Homes for five years. In 1952, Paul became co-founder of the Fillmore & Whitman Funeral Home, Sydney Mines. During 30 years in Sydney Mines he was a member of Clyde Ave. Baptist Church, where he served as a Trustee and member of the Board of Managers. Paul was also a member of Royal Oak Lodge No. 85 A.F. & A.M., President of Nova Scotia Licensed Embalmers and Funeral Directors Association, where he served as Secretary Treasurer for six years, and Secretary Treasurer of the Board of Registration of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. Paul also served as an Examiner of practical examinations of Student Embalmers (1983-1991). As well as his interest and contribution to Funeral Service he was Secretary Treasurer of Brookside Cemetery Co. in Sydney Mines for 25 years, President of the Rotary Club of Sydney Mines, member of the North Sydney Rotary Club, President of the Sydney Mines Board of Trade, Chairman of the Sydney Mines Zone of the Cape Breton County United Appeal, President of the Northside Branch Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism Society, President of Retarded Children's Association (now known as Canadian Association for Community Living), Trustee of the British Canadian Co-op Society. In 1982, Paul retired to Kentville and for 10 years was associated (part-time) with H.C. Lindsay Funeral Homes. He was a member of Kentville United Baptist Church where he served as deacon, member of the board of Stewards and Church Council, and active as an usher, greeter and teller. In 2003, Paul moved to Berwick and became a member of the Berwick Baptist Church. He was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012). On October 21, 2014, on the occasion of Paul's 90th birthday, the Funeral Service Association of Nova Scotia recognized Paul for his ‘demonstrated leadership in serving the funeral profession, the community and for his ongoing support of funeral service education’. Surviving are his loving wife of 68 years, the former Amanda Saunders; son, Alan (Marnie) Whitman, Ladner, BC; two daughters, Alice Whitman, Greenwood and Janet (Mark) Mahoney, New Maryland, NB, three grandchildren, Matthew (Melissa) Mahoney, Fredericton, NB, Stacy (John) Lillico, Surrey, BC and Julie Mahoney, Hamilton, ON; three great-grandchildren, Liam and Alexa Mahoney, Nathan Lillico, and several nieces and nephews. Paul was predeceased by son, Charles Paul Whitman; infant great-granddaughter, Emma Mahoney; sister, Polly (Rod) Ervin; half-brothers, Lawrence Whitman and Paul Raymond Whitman; half-sisters, Eva (Peter) Crawford, Mable McLaughlin-Humphries, Viola (Harry) Sabin, Beulah Whitman and Lillian (Tom) Ross. Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m., on Friday evening in the Chipman Annex of Berwick Baptist Church, 265 Commercial St., Berwick. Funeral service followed by a reception will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 8 in the Berwick Baptist Church. Lic. Evan and Lic. Kayla Colford officiating, assisted by Rev. Ivan Norton. Interment in Berwick Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to C.N.I.B., Lung Association of Nova Scotia or Berwick Baptist Church.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main Street, Middleton, NS, B0S 1P0, toll free 1-855-825-3448. Online guest book may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com.
