Robin M. MacKelvie, PhD., RMCCM (Registered Microbiologist, Canadian College of Microbiologists) - Steadfast and loving husband, father and grandfather, lifelong learner, enthusiastic planner and achiever - died on March 17, 2007, in New Glasgow, N.S. Born in 1923 in Cape Town, South Africa, he was the son of the late James and Nora (Wendover) MacKelvie. He received his early education at Diocesan College, Cape Town and, after the family moved to England, completed it at Queen's College, Taunton. While still at school, he joined the Home Guard spending many nights to help defend, if necessary, the town's reservoir from German paratrooper attack. At age 18, he volunteered for service in the Royal Navy, and as seaman participated in convoy escort duty in the North Atlantic in HMS Wolverine where he saw action as a member of the depth-charge crew. After graduating from officer training as Midshipman, Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (RNVR), he was assigned to Combined Operations, taking part in the zero-hour landings of troops on the beaches of Sicily, Regio and Salerno on mainland Italy, and Normandy. During this time, he survived the torpedoing and sinking of the MV Shah Jehan while supervising the ferrying of landing craft to operational bases in the Mediterranean. He was demobilized in 1946 in Durban, South Africa, with the rank of Lieutenant RNVR. He spent the next five years as a tobacco plantation manager in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) before immigrating to British Columbia in 1951. He worked as a construction labourer while learning the plumbing trade, and later started a plumbing business in the Courtenay-Comox area of Vancouver Island. It was there that he met his future wife, Renette Edge-Partington, also a recent immigrant. In 1958-59 Robin completed Grades 12 and 13 at Courtenay High School, a very mature student at age 35. Then Robin and Renette and their young family moved to Vancouver so that he could attend the University of British Columbia. In six short years, he graduated with a Ph.D. in microbiology. Robin accepted a position as research scientist with the Fisheries Research Board of Canada in Halifax, N.S., thus in 1965 the family moved the length of Canada to a new life. Robin and Renette made many great friends in the years they lived in Dartmouth. In 1983, they retired to Central Caribou, Pictou County, to develop and enjoy their small farm property on the Northumberland Strait. Robin often called these the happiest years of his life. He served for several years as secretary to the Overseas War Veterans Association of Nova Scotia in Pictou, and was a charter member of the Caribou District Fire Department acting as treasurer in its early years. During this period, he and Renette made three missionary trips to Cuba for Open Doors with Brother Andrew. When Renette's health declined in the early 1990s, Robin unhesitatingly took on the role of caregiver and devoted himself to her for many years. When the time came for them to make the transition to the Shiretown Nursing Home, Robin continued his care of Renette but also participated in the life of the Shiretown by maintaining wonderful flower and vegetable gardens and volunteering in many ways. At this time, he was co-inaugurator of the Pictou County Chapter of the Parkinson Foundation of Canada, and its chairman for a number of years. Robin always wanted the best for his family and was always there to help. He had an eventful life, a full life, one that much enriches our family's history. He was just recently predeceased by Renette, his beloved wife of almost 52 years, on Feb. 21, 2007. He leaves behind his children, Gillian (Doug) in Ottawa, and a son, James (Ann) in Pictou. His spirit will live on in the five grandchildren of whom he was so proud: Paula, Alastair and Connor Sullivan, and Andrew and Erin MacKelvie. He is also survived by his brother, John, of Keene, Ont. The family would like to thank the staff of the Shiretown Nursing Home for their great care and friendship given to Mum and Dad for many years. Also, special thanks to Drs. Randy Burrill and Jean Cameron for excellent care of Dad in the final months of his illness, and to Dr. Gerry Farrell who took such tender care of Dad at the end. Cremation, entrusted to the McLaren Funeral Home in Pictou, has taken place. At Robin's request, there will be no funeral service and his ashes will be scattered in the Northumberland Strait. The family is planning to hold a celebration of Robin and Renette's lives in the summer of 2007. Donations in Robin's memory may be made to the Palliative Care Unit of the Aberdeen Hospital, 835 East River Rd., New Glasgow, N.S. B2H 3S6, or to a charity of choice. Online condolences may be forwarded to mclaren@ns.sympatico.ca