PICTOU – Joseph Currie, 88, Northumberland Veterans Unit, Pictou, passed away peacefully Wednesday, February 20, 2013 in the unit.
Born in Stellarton and raised in Westville, Joe married the love of his life, Hazel LeBlanc, in 1946, and spent the next 66 years in Pictou, raising a large family of eight boys and seven girls.
During World War II, he served in the Royal Canadian Navy and maintained a strong bond over the years with his friends and shipmates from HMCS Strathroy. After the war he spent several seasons as part of the crew of CHS Acadia, and at Ferguson Industries Shipyards. He worked for 35 years for the Dept. of Public Works in Pictou, retiring in 1988. His final two years were spent as a resident of the Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital Northumberland Veterans Unit in Pictou, under the tender care of an amazing staff of devoted professionals.
He was the son of the late John Daniel Currie and Catherine Currie, and was predeceased by sisters, Bernadette “Boops” MacDonald, Edna Doyle; brother, George Hawes; grandson, B.J. Landry; son-in-law, Mark Scheuker.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Hazel (LeBlanc); children: Dan (Sheila), Bernard (Marlene), Andrew (Mary), Peter and Fraser, all of Pictou; Fred (Wendy), Coldbrook; Alexis, High River, Alberta; Paul (Marcella), Edmonton, Alberta; Bernadette, Calgary, Alberta; Beatrice (Lionel), Lower Sackville; Cathy, Halifax; Lorraine (Larry), Windsor; Nancy (Danny), Luxembourg; Peggy, New Glasgow; Scott (Nadine) Halifax; and sister, Gertrude (Dick) Spittachine, Calgary. He is also survived by 29 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Joe was a former choir member of Stella Maris Church, Pictou; a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 8608; a 60 year member of both, Branch 16, Royal Canadian Legion, Pictou and the Admiral Murray Naval Veteran Association, Pictou County; and also a lifelong member of the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Association.
Arrangements are entrusted to McLaren Funeral Home, Pictou, with visitation Friday, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral mass from Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church, Pictou, 11 a.m. Saturday, February 23, with burial in the parish cemetery.
Family flowers only please. Donations in Joe’s memory may be made to the Stella Maris Church Building Fund, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, or Pictou West Food Bank, would be appreciated.
Online condolences: mclarenfuneral.ca