Harry Malcolm Poole

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our much-loved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Harry Malcolm Poole, age 94. Harry left us peacefully on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2022, in Drummond Hall, Parkland Clayton Park, Halifax after several months of declining health.

Harry is survived by his devoted wife of 71 years, Phyllis (Powell); daughter Sharon Longard (David), Halifax; sons, Graham (Jackie), Halifax and Edward (Denise Lefort), Halifax; grandchildren, Beth Moore (Edward), Digby; Julie Roy(Spencer), Wilmot, NS; Nicole Hotchkiss (Adam), Halifax; Dianne Poole (Andrew Preston), Halifax; great-grandchildren, Claire, Anna and Teddy Moore; Rose, Pete and Cora Hotchkiss; brother David Farwell (Ann Giffin), Halifax; and sister-in-law Joan Poole, Antigonish. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, to whom he was especially close.

Harry (known in the family as Mackie) was born in Halifax on November 27, 1928 to Harry and Harriett Poole and grew up in the North End of Halifax on Bilby Street. He went to work at the Halifax Dockyard as a sheet metal worker apprentice at the young age of 16 years. After a 20 year career as a sheet metal worker, Harry trained to be a Hull Inspector and continued working at the Dockyard. His strong work ethic and devotion to his family kept him there for almost 40 years until his retirement in 1985.

Harry was a Jack-of-all-trades, and he and his father-in-law Ralph built the family home in Fairview and later the family cottage in Moser River. He also kept his vehicles running, repaired small engines (such as outboard motors and lawn mowers), and enjoyed wood carving and various woodworking projects.

Harry was a very kind-hearted and generous man. When a young child would visit him, he would always slip a five dollar bill into their hand at the end of the visit so they could buy themselves a treat.

Family was very important to him. This included not only his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, but he also had very strong bonds with his brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and nieces and nephews. Harry and his wife Phyllis hosted annual family gatherings at their cottage in Moser River, NS. On the Victoria Day and Labour Day weekends many extended family members would fill the yard with tents and trailers to enjoy time outside together, boat and swim in the river, share potluck meals, and laughs, songs, and stories around the campfire and fireworks. Harry and Phyllis were instrumental in fostering family ties and ensuring we all got together to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and special occasions.

Harry had a wonderful sense of humour and a distinctive resounding laugh that made you smile just to hear it. Harry had a huge heart and lived his life with passion and gratitude; he was a role-model for many of us. Harry kept lifelong friendships alive and he was still in touch with Bernie McCorry (Lully), a friend from his teen years in North End Halifax.

Harry was a long-time member of the Masonic Lodge and Calvin Presbyterian Church.

Along with his parents, Harry was predeceased by his sisters and brothers-in-law, Cora Duffy (Gerald) and Eleanor Cassidy (John); brother, Charles Poole; nephew, Barry Cassidy and Barry’s wife, Janice.

We are grateful for the outstanding care provided by Dr. Angela Morash and the entire team at Drummond Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice.

Visitation Tuesday January 3, 2023 from 6 - 8 p.m. at JA Snow Funeral Home, Halifax.

Funeral service Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 10:00 AM at JA Snow Funeral Home in Halifax; Reverend Sarah Scott officiating. *The family requests that attendees wear a face mask when attending the events.

We feel very blessed that Mackie was part of our lives. May he Rest In Peace.