SMALE, Herb Ernest (Colonel Ret’d) ~ age 90 of Middleton, NS passed away Tuesday, February 19, 2019 in Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, Middleton. Born in London, ON, he was a son of the late Walter and Ida (Short) Smale. He attended school in London and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1946 as a Wireless Operator. Subsequently, he remustered to aircrew as a Radio Officer in 1949. From 1950 until 1965, he served with 405 MP Squadron, No 2 Maritime Operational Training Unit, Maritime Air Command Headquarters and on exchange duty with the US Navy in Norfolk, Virginia. He commanded 407 MP Squadron from 1965-1968, following which he served at Maritime Command Headquarters as Senior Staff Officer Operational Readiness. He was promoted to Colonel and appointed Base Commander CFB Greenwood in 1971. On retiring from the service in 1974, Herb was active until 1984 as a Field Representative of the Nova Scotia Housing Commission; as Officer-in-charge of the Nova Scotia Consumer Services Bureau, Middleton; as Assistant General Manager Administration of Moffitt Brothers Moving & Storage Limited; as Executive Manager of the Annapolis Valley Affiliated Boards of Trade and as Project Manager and Curator of the Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum. He was appointed Honorary Colonel of 14 Wing Greenwood on January 1, 1995 and served his country in this capacity for 3 years. Herb was active in many local and nationwide organizations and associations including; Past President Branch 112 Royal Canadian Legion, Lawrencetown; Board of Deacons and Secretary of the Middleton Baptist Church Men’s Club; life member of the Annapolis Valley Historical Society; member of the Annapolis Valley Affiliated Boards of Trade and the Greenwood Flying Club. Herb was also a member of the RCAF Pre-War Club of Canada, the 407 Demons Squadron Association and the Royal Canadian Air Force Association. He was well known throughout the Maritime Aviation community worldwide as the founder of the P2000 Club/VPI Association in 1966 and remained an active member including serving as an associate editor of the Maritime Patrol Aviation Magazine. Herb was predeceased by his wife, Carol; sisters, Gladys, Winifred and Radience; brothers William, Russell, Frederick and Reginald. He leaves to mourn, his sons, Michael and Patrick (Carmen) and their son Noah; daughter, Elizabeth and her husband Samuel and their children, Mitchel, Mathew and Luke; great-grandchildren Elliana, Evelynn and Erikson. Herb Smale will be greatly missed by the many men, women and children whose lives he touched during his years among us. In keeping with Herb’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life was held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 26, 2019 in the Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main St., 902-825-3448 with Rev. Danny Smith officiating. A reception for family and friends followed the service. Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Middleton at a later date. Donations in memory may be made to Middleton Baptist Church, Annapolis Valley Historical Society Foundation or a charity of choice. Online guestbook may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com