NEW GLASGOW – Joseph Garfield ‘Garf’ Slater, of the Northumberland Veteran’s Unit, formerly of Mitchell St., New Glasgow, passed away Sunday, February 27, 2011 in the QEII.
He was born on March 23, 1917 in Westville, NS, to Joseph and Bessie (Wadden) Slater.
He is survived by daughters: Candace (Pat) MacDonnell and Carolyn (David) Graham; grandchildren: Madeline (Blair) MacLellan; Caitlin (Trevor) Cloutier; Ross and Ian Graham; great-grandchildren: Grant and Carter MacLellan and Zoie Cloutier; brother-in-law, Struan Wadden.
He was predeceased by his wife, Mary (Frame) and sister, Isabel Wadden.
A veteran of the Second World War, he served as a Sergeant in the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment (27th Canadian Armoured Regiment) and served overseas in England, France and Holland and fought in every single Canadian battle from D Day to VE Day, all along the Maple Leaf Line. Because of his remarkable memory he served in the Intelligence Corp and led a special patrol at night looking for German mines. His memory stayed sharp right to the end of his life and he remembered every detail of past events and everyone’s birthday. Before the war he worked as a certified clerk and following the war he graduated from Dalhousie University School of Pharmacy and worked for many years as a pharmacist in New Glasgow at E.S. MacKenzie’s Drug Store. Garf sang every day and he thoroughly enjoyed his last years at the Northumberland Veteran’s Unit in Pictou. He especially enjoyed travelling in the Veteran’s Bus. Garf was a long time member of the Gyro Club and served as a past president.
His remains will rest at the R.H. Porter Funeral Home in New Glasgow on Thursday, March 3 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will take place at Trinity United Church on Friday, March 4 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Jim Webber-Cook officiating. Reception to follow. Burial will be at a later date.
Family flowers only. Donations may be made to the Northumberland Veteran’s Unit or to the New Glasgow Gyro Swimming Program.
Condolences at: www.rhporter.ca