John Dennis Hilchey, 91, of Truro, NS died peacefully in Colchester Regional Hospital on 7 Feb 2009 following a long illness. Born in West Gore, Hants County, NS on 10 Nov 1917, he was the youngest son of the late Arlington A. and Edna (Mason) Hilchey. John was a graduate of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and MacDonald College (M.Sc.), and was a 38-year employee of the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture. During his long career, he taught soil chemistry at the NSAC, participated in and co-authored various parts of the Nova Scotia Soil Survey and many other projects, and retired as Supervisor of the Nova Scotia Land Use Program. He was a member of St. Andrews United Church, Truro, where he served as an elder and member of the Board of Stewards. John was an avid gardener,hunter and fisherman all his life, and shared his passion for the outdoors with many young people as a Boy Scout leader. He also served for many years as Treasurer of the Butler Centre, and in his later years, was a member of the Golden K Club of Truro. John is survived by his wife Geraldine (McElhiney); sons Robert, Truro and David (Carol), East Chester, NS; grandsons Andrew and Stephen, both of Halifax; sisters Irene Cooper, Brampton, ON and Pauline Churchill, Thorndale, ON; sisters-in-law Barbara,Truro and Aileen, St. Catherines, ON; brother-in-law John McElhiney; many nieces and nephews and their families. We all will miss him very much. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers Irvin and Gerald, sisters Jean Hilchey, Hazel Simm, and Mary Brissenden. Cremation has taken place, and there will be a visitation on Sat., Feb. 14 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm at the Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow Street, Truro. At John’s request, there will be no funeral; instead, there will be a family graveside interment service at a later date in Bible Hill Cemetery. Family flowers only. Memorial donations in John’s memory may be made to the Colchester Regional Hospital Foundation or to a charity of your personal choice. Final arrangements are being handled by the Colchester Community Funeral Home, and condolences may be directed there or on-line to www.colchestercommunity.com