With sadness, we announce the passing of Cyril Mullett on May 3, 2011, at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in Amherst. He succumbed to the heart disease which challenged him for many years. Born on the Isle of Wight, England, Cyril emigrated to Canada in 1928 with his family, which settled in Baie Verte, New Brunswick. He was the second son of John Thomas Mullett and Agnes Shergold, both from the Isle of Wight.
Cyril was raised on a farm in Baie Verte, and worked on the land when he was in his teens. In 1942 he felt the call of adventure and duty; he joined the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War like so many young men in Atlantic Canada. After training on the Cornwallis Naval Training Base, NS, he served on the frigate HMCS New Waterford, participating in assignments that were offshore Atlantic and Pacific Coasts of North America. Boxing was his sport in the Navy, and his boxing gloves remain a treasured memento from his military years.
In 1945, Cyril married Kathryn (Kay) McClary, daughter of Sara and Aubrey McClary of River Hebert, and they settled in Amherst. Following Cyril’s discharge from active naval service in August, 1946, he was employed at the Amherst Creamery on West Pleasant St. Later, he joined the Canadian National Railway, where he worked for 29 years, first in the freight office, Amherst, and then as a CN freight delivery driver. In the 1980’s, Cyril enjoyed his life "on the road" as a Salesman for the Atlantic Lottery Commission, retiring in 1988 at the age of 62.
During all his employment years, and well into his retirement years, Cyril enjoyed sports as an active participant. He had a very competitive nature, as his friends know well. His family recalls his colourful stories after many amateur hockey games at the old Amherst Bailley Arena in the 1950s. Later, we listened to his personal analysis of the many curling bonspiels he competed in, some annually with the Legion, and others throughout the year with his fellow Amherst Curling Club members. His wife Kay joined him in mixed curling bonspiels, and both share fond memories with their curling friends from the Amherst club, and other Nova Scotia curling clubs. In the 1970s, Cyril and Kay took up golf with equal enthusiasm, and until recently, were active members of the Amherst Golf Club. Cyril valued his many friends from his curling and golfing years, and considered himself very fortunate to have shared such an active sporting life with them. This interest extended to several Winter vacations in Florida, providing more happy memories of experiences with other Amherst "snowbirds" on southern golf courses. Throughout his life, Cyril not only enjoyed music, but played several instruments, including the violin, accordion, and piano, an untrained musician with a natural ear for melody. Musical good times were enjoyed with family members from both sides, in living rooms and on rural verandas singing songs, and tapping toes.
Kay and Cyril have been active members of Trinity St. Stephen’s United Church, Amherst, since their marriage 66 years ago. Until recent years, when Cyril watched the weekly church services on TV, he routinely served on the monthly collection committee, and cherished the fellowship of the congregational family.
Cyril is survived and dearly missed by his wife Kay; daughter Marilyn Mullett (Charles Cook); sister Phyllis MacGregor; several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Cyril was predeceased by his brother, Reginald Mullett.
Kay and Cyril appreciated the invaluable help and support of their neighbours and friends over the past several years. The family wishes to thank the dedicated and understanding expertise of Dr. Josef Zaremba, Dr. Bowan, Dr. Szczesny, and the nurses on the Medical Unit of Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre; as well as Dr. John Sapp and the staff of the specialized Heart Units of the QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, who continued to help Cyril meet the many health challenges he faced, especially in the past decade.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Furlong-Jones Funeral Home (667-8777). Visitation will be at 1:00 pm on May 6, at Trinity St. Stephen’s United Church, 1 Ratchford Street, Amherst, followed immediately by a memorial service, at 2pm at the same location. Interment will be at a later date, for the immediate family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cumberland Regional Health Care Foundation; the QEII Health Sciences Foundation; Trinity St. Stephen’s United Church, or the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be sent to info@furlongjones.ca