SIMPSON, GERALD - Gerald Kenneth Simpson, 98, of Fairhaven, Deer Island, NB passed away peacefully at the Passamaquoddy Lodge, St Andrews, NB on March 18, 2009. Gerald was born in Fairhaven on November 29, 1910, the youngest son of the late George Albert Simpson and Florence Adelaide Calder Simpson. He spent his life in the home of his birth. An energetic and industrious entrepreneur, he became licensed as an electrician and plumber, and operated his contracting business on Deer Island until he retired at the age of 93. In an interview with the Telegraph Journal he said "I can't understand it, a lot of people quit work before they are 80 years old." He considered retiring at the age of 90 but islanders kept calling him for help and he didn't want to let them down. His long career had several interesting milestones. In the 1940s he worked with the crew on the power lines to bring electricity from the mainland across to Deer Island. Sometimes in the summer he traveled on the mail boat to Campobello Island to work on the lavish summer homes of wealthy Americans. It was there he met Eleanor Roosevelt while he was wiring her home before it was made into an International Park. But his main focus was working for friends and neighbours on Deer Island. Meticulous in his work, he also had a prodigious memory that served him well to his final year. He knew the location of every pump and septic tank on Deer Island and the year it was installed. Gerald was very involved in his community. He was a founding member of the Deer Island Credit Union, helped establish the medical clinic in Fairhaven, was a volunteer fireman in his younger years and a member of the Masons, Gideons and Orange Lodge. He participated in the Deer Island Development Association and he and his wife Hazel won several awards for their lavish flower gardens. Gerald was a dedicated Baptist and active in the Fairhaven Baptist church, serving as church clerk, deacon, Sunday school superintendent and choir member. He also was a benefactor of Acadia University where both daughters, Sandra and Sylvia and grand-daughter, Laura had attended. He founded the Simpson Lecture Series to provide enrichment for pastors and established the George and Florence Simpson Memorial Scholarship. He was a supporter of many charities. In his retirement Gerald kept his mind sharp by reading biographies, listening to classical music and doing crossword puzzles. A faithful newspaper reader, he also kept up on the news through his computer which he learned to use at the age of 87. A successful gardener, he doted on his rose bed and dahlias and shared beans and cucumbers from his vegetable garden with neighbours. He loved good food and celebrated his 97th birthday at the Algonquin hotel. He was predeceased by Hazel Smith Simpson, his wife of 65 years; his brothers, George, Herbert, Wesley and Ernest and sisters Bessie, Lida and Nora. He is lovingly remembered by daughters, Sandra Nowlan (John), Halifax; Dr. Sylvia Simpson (Richard Gonzalez), Denver; grandchildren, Dr. Claire Nowlan (Dr. Todd Calder), Halifax; Laura Nowlan Hatfield (Daniel), Fredericton; Andrew Nowlan, Osaka, Japan; great grandchildren, Kieran and Cameron Calder, Eva and Adah Hatfield; nieces Florence Rost, Charlene Thorne and Beverly Simpson. Visitation hours at Fairhaven Baptist Church will be Friday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm with a Masonic service at 7 pm. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 1 pm in Fairhaven Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Fairhaven Baptist Church, Heart and Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick or donor's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the St George Funeral Home and Crematorium, 26 Portage St, St George NB.(7553533) www.stgeorgefh.ca