JACKSON, Howard Leroy – 66 of Truro and Halifax, passed away in Colchester Regional Hospital on Thursday, November 10, 2011 following a three month illness. Howard was born in Bridgetown, Nova Scotia on January 2, 1945, a son of the late Clarence and Evelyn (Mitchell) Jackson. He graduated from Bridgetown Regional High School and Dalhousie University. He enjoyed playing soccer, volleyball and basketball in high school but he excelled in Track and Field and holds records in the Long and Triple Jump which remain unchallenged to this day. He was extremely proud to be inducted into the Bridgetown Area Sports Hall of Fame at its Inaugural Induction in 2010. While at university, he played on the Men’s Basketball Team. He taught at Graham Creighton, Cole Harbour and Auburn Drive High Schools, retiring in 2004. His role as an educator and as a coach had far reaching impacts. He was involved in refereeing volleyball at the regional, provincial, national and international levels. He served in the role of National Officials Clinician for referees and, at the Provincial level, he was actively involved in volleyball officials development in Nova Scotia. He was also involved in the coaching aspect of volleyball and had been, in previous years, Head Coach of the Women’s Volleyball at Mount St. Vincent University and Asst Coach of Tiger Women’s Volleyball at Dalhousie University, Canada Games Asst Coach and a leader in provincial elite player and coaching development for many years. Howard was an avid fly fisherman and fly tyer and loved fishing the rivers and brooks with his fishing friends. Howard is survived by his loving partner and soul mate, Eleanor Carter; his brothers, Bill (Beverly), Truro; Lester, Inglewood; Chris (Eleanor), St. John’s NFLD; Gary, Bass River; Dean (Jacquie), Hammonds Plains; Tim, Inglewood; sister, Kathryn (Orphyr) Theriault, Kingston; many cousins, nieces and nephews and many friends, colleagues and former students. He was predeceased by his sisters, Audrey Fisher and Suzanne Hill and his brother, Stuart. The family would like to express their heart felt thanks to the Doctors and Nurses on the Health Care Teams at the QEII Health Sciences Centre; including Dr. Mendez and the Neurosurgery Team, Dr. Katherine Sue Robinson and the Hematology Oncology Team, Dr. Liam Mulroy in Radiation Oncology and the doctors and staff on 4 South at Colchester Regional Hospital. Howie was so thankful for the expert and professional care he received. Also thanks go out to the many family, friends, and colleagues who provided Eleanor and his brothers and sister with love and support over the past 3 months. It will never be forgotten. Cremation has taken place. Visitation was held in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow Street, Truro, on Saturday, November 12 and where the service took place on Sunday, November 13. A reception followed. Donations, if desired, to a charity of one’s choice. On-line condolences and donations, may be made by visiting www.colchestercommunity.com