Graham Nicholas Langley

Graham Nicholas Langley, age 88, died peacefully in the Halifax Infirmary on October 31, 2021 with family by his side. Born in Port Hawkesbury, Cape Breton, NS, he was the son of Freda Catherine Ross and John George Elmer Langley.

He graduated from Port Hawkesbury and New Glasgow public schools, then from Mount Allison University (BSc) and then the Technical University of Nova Scotia with a degree in civil engineering.

He was predeceased by his wife, Ann Pickard and brother Dr Ross Langley. He is survived by his 3 children; Linda (Michael Archibald), Brian (Jan), Sharon (Craig Kometz) and his 7 grandchildren, Mathew and Dr. Dana Archibald, Breana (MacEachern), Thomas and Jodi Langley, and Aidan and Nicolas Kometz, and his 2 great grandchildren, Finlay MacEachern and Olivia Archibald. He is also survived by his sisters Jean and Diane (Peter).

Graham was very athletic. He enjoyed his time playing rugby and basketball in New Glasgow and even played against the Harlem Globetrotters.

Graham loved being involved in the community. He was involved in the committee to add fluoride to the water in New Glasgow. He was a member of the Gyro’s, Abercrombie Golf Course, curling club, and was the National President of the Junior Chamber. He was an avid bridge player and competed in duplicate tournaments, well into his 80’s.

He will be dearly missed by his family and many friends. He loved the family Christmas ski vacations and even skied himself on most occasions. He was known for his charismatic personality, welcoming nature and always meeting new people and turning strangers into friends.

He had a long work career starting with CNR in 1957; Industrial Estates, Michelin, Department of Lands and Forest. After retirement, he engineered shoreline erosion walls and spent the next 20 years building those around the Maritimes. This is also when his travel adventures began. He would spend winters in Costa Rica, Florida, Spain, Greece, Thailand, Australia, Mexico and France. During his multiple adventures he would whole-heartedly immerse himself in the local culture by studying Spanish and learning the local arts, including stained glass and jewelry making.

He was a firm believer in education and was a role model for his grandchildren as he studied Spanish and advanced French later in life. He became certified to instruct English as a second language and used this to teach Mexican pre-schoolers while he was travelling in Mexico. He never stopped learning new things and he became a certified scuba diver in his late 70’s and dove the great barrier reef.

He had a big heart and a real soft spot for kids; especially those in underprivileged areas. He spent a winter in the Bahamas rebuilding discarded bikes to donate to the local children. He also helped several Mexican families with furthering their formal education.

The family would like to sincerely thank the dialysis units in Antigonish and Halifax for his care over the past few years. In addition, thank you to all the staff at the Victoria General Hospital and Halifax Infirmary.

Funeral services will be held at St. Andrews United Church, Halifax, on Saturday November 6th at 2 pm, followed by a reception. Visitation will be at JA Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, NS, Friday November 5th, 2-4 pm. Please note that full covid protocols apply. Streaming link will be provided shortly.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to either Ronald McDonald House or The Kidney Foundation.