Richard Arthur Walsh - April 27, 1946 - December 16, 2010 Kentville, NS; formerly of Hantsport, NS: It is with profound sadness that we announce Richard's passing at Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville, NS, in the arms of his loving family. Richard was an inspiration to all in a quiet but hard-fought 10-year battle with non-Hodgekins Lymphoma (a firefighter's cancer); and he continued to amaze treatment providers right to the end with his stubborn determination to continue the fight and carry on for his beloved family. Richard was the youngest son of the late Lawson Arthur Walsh and Esther Ada (Smith) Walsh. He lived most of his life in Hantsport where he attended Hantsport School, worked part-time jobs, and helped his father with his house/building moving business from his late teens onward. Upon leaving High School, he worked for Minas Basin Pulp and Paper and Canadian Keyes Fibre as a machinery/ equipment operator and maintenance technician. In his late-20's, he attended NSIT in Halifax while working for James Frenette Electrical of Windsor, NS, attaining Journeyman Electrician certification. Always a handyman with a knack for problem-solving and learning new skills, Richard did residential and commercial building construction and repairs for Neil Lockhart Developments, Hantsport, and Aspen Hill Construction, Windsor Forks; then worked with several other self-employed tradesmen on residential and commercial farm projects in the Valley. In 1989, he was hired at Acadia University's Physical Plant Services as an electrician and multi-trade shiftworker. He was subsequently hired by Sodexho Marriott Corporation when they took over plant services, until he had to stop work in 2003 due to his illness. He was a member of the Union of Operating Engineers and CUPE. Among his proudest achievements was his 29 years as a volunteer firefighter - 13.5 yrs in Hantsport, and 15.5 in Kentville. He held the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain in Hantsport; was an equipment operator/driver in both departments, and worked on many committees throughout the years. He was Kentville Firefighter of the Year in 1995, was twice named Driver of the Year by Kentville Police, and was on the Radio Company when it was named Company of the Year. He was part of the group named the John Hicking Memorial "Firefighter of the Year" during Hantsport Fire Department's 100th Anniversary several years ago, and was lucky enough to be at the presentation while representing Kentville Fire Department that evening. He received Federal, Provincial, Town, and Kings County medals for long-service, and was recognized for his hard work on the Kentville Fire Department's Building committee when their station was totally renovated. In spite of being knocked-down by each new recurrence of cancer, leading to a stem cell transplant in 2007, he continued to volunteer as a radio operator when he was too ill to drive. He was sincerely touched when more than 30 firefighters from the Valley joined to buy him a state-of-the-art scanner so he could follow their activities while ill at home. They were together in spirit, to the end. He also enjoyed being part of "The Old Farts Club", where longtime firefighters/veterans gathered to enjoy memories of the good old days and solve the problems of the world. Richard never complained during his long fight against cancer. He and Sally drew strength from the hope that his suffering and their battle together was done to spare any of their children from the same thing. Richard enjoyed hunting, puttering in his garage, Sunday drives with wife Sally, motorcycles, boating, watching Nascar races, and spending time with good friends and family. He loved the summers at Lake George, exploring with his boat and fishfinder during the tranquility of early morning trips before his morning coffee. Sitting on the cottage deck, sipping a drink, and enjoying the Golden Oldies on AVR was a regular Saturday night date with wife Sally. He was always happiest especially when spending time with his four children and three grandchildren whom he loved beyond words. And the feeling was mutual. Richard was always ready with a smile and a helping hand for anyone. Few who met him did not call him "friend". Left to mourn are his devoted wife of over 30 years Sarah "Sally" Jean (Lloyd) Walsh, their son Jeremy Frederick (Jennifer), Kentville, NS; oldest son Dwayne Richard (Stephanie Fuller), Bedford, NS; oldest daughter Deanna Lynn (TJ Burkitt), Belleville, ON; and youngest daughter Michelle Christine (Tom) Hudak, Kentville, NS; grandchildren Kenadie Madeline Walsh, Kentville, NS, and her brother who will be born in several weeks to Jeremy and Jennifer; Maxwell Joseph Chamberlain, Belleville, ON; Joseph Lawson Hudak, Kentville, NS; Richard's sister Sharon (Neil) Lockhart, Hantsport, NS; brother William (Beatrice), Falmouth, NS; Robert (Evelyn), Hantsport, NS; a number of nieces, nephews and cousins; mother-in-law Ruth Lloyd of Kentville, very special sister-in-law Mary, Toronto, ON; sisters-in-law Beth and Shirley (daughter Rachel) Lloyd of Kentville, NS; and Grannie UJ Calkin of West Black Rock, NS. He is also survived by his first wife, Linda (Levy) (Walsh) Bourne, Bishopville, NS. He will be missed greatly by "mom-by-heart" Suzanne Amirault, Kentville, NS, lifelong best friend Walter Johnston, and close friends Rick Shay, Peter Bailey, Dale Brow, Derrick Bezanson, Robert Spicer, and Carl Knox who always claimed Richard was the brother he never had. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by brothers Paul and John (infancy), sister-in-law Noreen Walsh, father-in-law Frederick "Ted" Lloyd and brother-in-law David Lloyd. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, NS; where there was visitation from 7 - 9 pm on Monday, December 20th, and a Service of Remembrance conducted by Rev. John McNally on Tuesday, December 21st at 11:00 am. Richard has requested that any donations be directed to charities or facilitators which directly assist with the financial burden to cancer patients and their families (such as hospital Patient Navigator charities or the QEII VG Patient Social Services Department); Lymphoma cancer research-specific donation; or the VON Hospice Building Fund. The family expresses sincere appreciation to all who fought so hard for Richard over the past ten years, including Dr. Steven Couban and staff at the VG Hematology Unit (and Hospital), Dr. Adam Filipowiz formerly of Kentville, Dr. Ponnempalem Sivananth, Kentville; and all staff at Valley Regional Hospital including Medical B Ward nurses Michael and Kerri Anne who cared for Richard with such heartfelt compassion during his last two days. On-line inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.

While some men go down telling stories
Of how they rode their trains to glory,
Other men just close their eyes
And know they did the best they could
With what they had