TRURO - Dr. Errol Hancock, long-time resident of Truro, passed away Saturday, July 26, 2008 in his sleep at Williams Country Home, Hilden at the age of 106. Born in Port Hope, Ont., he was the eldest son of George and Clara (Irwin) Hancock. He was predeceased by his wife, Carrie (Courteen) Hancock and by several brothers and sisters. He is survived by nephews, Robert Hancock, John Hancock, Kenneth Hancock, and Paul Allin, all of Ontario; nieces, Norma Howsam, Ontario, Claire Bence, Florida, and Carolyn Courteen, Dartmouth. A niece, Marg Kinney, of Ontario predeceased him. Graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1924, he entered general practice in Ontario for two years, then joined the Canadian Department of Agriculture, Health of Animals Branch as a veterinary inspector in Montreal. In 1927, he was transferred to Nova Scotia for the initial testing of cattle for tuberculosis eradication and continued his pioneering work here in the eradication and control of other poultry and cattle diseases. In 1937, he joined the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture as its first provincial animal pathologist, establishing the Provincial Veterinary Laboratory at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro. He retired in 1963 after a long and distinguished career. He was a founding member, past-president, and life member of the N.S. Veterinary Medical Association; a founding member and life member of the Canadian Veterinary Association; and a life member of the N.S. Institute of Agrologists. In recognition of services to the livestock industry in Nova Scotia the Animal Pathology Building at NSAC was named Hancock Veterinary Building. Active in the Masonic Order, he was a Past Master of Truro Lodge No. 43 with a 50-year jewel, an 80-year bar, and Honourary Senior Grand Warden, Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia; Past High Priest Keith Chapter No. 4 and Honourary Past Grand King Royal Arch Masons of Nova Scotia; T. I. M. Orient Council No. 5 Royal and Select Masters; Perceptor Malta Preceptory No. 27 and Past Provincial Prior Sovereign Great Priory of Canada; and a Noble of Philae Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. He received the high honour of being a Knight Commander of the Temple in Sovereign Great Priory of Canada; and also a Knight Commander of the Order of Constantine of the Grand Imperial Conclave of Canada. Visitation will be held Monday, July 28 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. with a Masonic Service at 7 p.m., funeral service will be Tuesday, July 29 at 2 p.m. all in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow Street, Truro, Rev. Gordon MacLean officiating. A reception will follow the service in the funeral home. Interment will take place in Robie Street Cemetery, Truro. Donations may be made to the First United Church, Truro or Colchester Regional Hospital Foundation, Truro. Online condolences may be made at www.colchestercommunity.com "Doc" will be fondly remembered for his good nature and ever-present sense of humour.