Joseph Fenton Archibald, 94, of Valley View Villa, Riverton, formerly of Cameron Settlement and Dartmouth passed away peacefully on July 30, 2009 at the Villa.
Born in Denver, Guysborough Co., on July 20, 1915, he was the eldest son of the late Alexander Fisher and Elizabeth Charlotte (Fenton) Archibald. He married Margaret Irma Bell Hattie on December 20, 1939.
He was a long-time resident of Cameron Settlement, where he built his retirement home in 1976. Previous to that he lived in Dartmouth where he worked for the Department of Lands and Forests (now Natural Resources) for 40 years, retiring from the position of “Registrar of Crown Lands Records Division”.
He was a well-respected Nova Scotia Land Surveyor and served the Association as president from 1963-1964 and also as Secretary of the Board of Examiners for several years. He was also an “Honourary Member” of the Nova Scotia Land Surveyors Association.
He was in all senses a “true gentlemen” who possessed a strong work ethic, sound family values, a strong faith, and a generous and helping nature.
Joe was a member of Bethel Presbyterian Church in Caledonia where he was also past treasurer. In Dartmouth he was a member of Grace United Church and then St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. He was also a member of IOOF Union Lodge No. 30 in Springville and the Greenville Oldsters Club in Aspen.
In his earlier years his hobbies included gardening, fishing, golfing, curling, and especially loved playing cards. In later years he still enjoyed watching golf and keeping score from the golf cart, and of course playing cards and games.
He is survived by daughter Rita (Ralph) Purdy; son, Howard (Linda) Archibald, and daughter-in-law Karen Archibald; five grandchildren: Brian (Ceily) Archibald, Carolyn Brackett (Lee Bayer), Tim (Sarah) Purdy, Todd Purdy, Matthew (Sharon) Archibald; nine great-grandchildren: Amy (Roy), Ryan, Carley, Emma, Bradley, Kayley, Kyle, Jozie, and Amelia; and one great-great-granddaughter Abigail; brothers: Frank (Muriel), Eldon (Olive) and Ray; sisters: Isabel (Russ) Porter, Murial (Eldon) Taylor, Ruth (James) MacKay, Hazel Gunn and sisters-in-law: Joyce Archibald, Ethel Archibald, Marilyn Archibald and Arlie Stetson, and many, many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, the former Margie Hattie; son, Edwin Lawrence; brothers: Clarence, Robert, Harold, and John (in infancy); sister, Vera Taylor.
Cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m., Saturday, August 1, 2009, in the H.W. Angus Funeral Home, New Glasgow.
Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 2, 2009 from the H.W. Angus Funeral Home Chapel. A reception will follow at the Springville Church Hall and burial will be in Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Caledonia following the reception.
Family flowers only. Donations in memory of Joe may be made to Bethel Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund or the charity of your choice.