Stanley Joseph Fitzner

Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Stan was the son of the late John and Mary (MacMaster) Fitzner. Stan is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Teresa (Phelan), and children, Patrick (Roberta), Bruce (Angela), Diane Breen, Paul, and Peter (Shari), his sister, Evelyn MacArthur, and 11 grandchildren. He was predeceased by daughter, Claire, as well as brothers, Carl and Robert.

Growing up in Sydney, Stan joined the Canadian Armed Forces at seventeen during the 2nd World War where he was a Leading Aircraftman and trained as a wireless air gunner. When the war ended, Stan finished Grade 12 at Sydney Academy, went to Kings College in Halifax to study journalism, and built a career as a journalist. During his career he worked for several Canadian newspapers including the Halifax Free Press, the Calgary Albertan, and the Stratford Beacon-Herald and finally with the Chronicle-Herald and Mail-Star for 26 years. During his time at the Herald, Stan spent two years in Ottawa as part of the press gallery covering the Parliament of Canada. As a journalist, Stan interviewed many interesting people and famous politicians of the day, wrote stories about Nova Scotia and Nova Scotians, covered world events, and wrote countless columns and editorials. He finished his working career in 1986 as a writer with the Provincial Department of Tourism where his colleagues acknowledged him as "A Prince among Print".

In 1976 Stan and Teresa built a summer cottage for the family at Waterside, Pictou County, where they spent the next 40 summers, and which became the site of many family events and special occasions with friends over the years. It was truly his most favourite place in the world to be.

Stan was a life long lover of music and especially loved to sing. He spent several years singing with a barbershop group, the "Atlantic Swells" in Halifax rehearsing regularly and performing at concerts, but mostly he sang at parties, travelling with a car full of kids on a summer trip, or whenever the mood struck him.

After he retired, Stan and Teresa travelled extensively, to destinations in warmer climates, and to Spain, Scotland, Ireland, and Portugal, and spent many winters as Canadian Snowbirds in Florida. On all of these trips Stan made many new friends and spent time with his life long friends. Stan always loved meeting people and was as welcoming a host and friend as any person could ever meet.

Stan remained physically active his entire life, curling, swimming and golfing extensively, and up until recent months, going to the gym.

More than anything, Stan will be remembered as a loving husband with strong family values, taking great pride in his children and grandchildren, and who was always a caring and supportive father, a true friend, and a man of great faith.

A visitation will be held at J A Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, on Thursday February 22nd from 6-8 pm, and a funeral mass will be held at Saint Mother Teresa Of Kolkata Parish, 6032 Normandy Drive, Halifax, on Friday February 23rd at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Doctors Without Borders or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.