Age 91, passed away peacefully on June 3, 2018 at the Halifax Infirmary after a brief battle with pneumonia. Born in Halifax, he was the son of the late Oliver and Helen (Kelly) Cormier.
Raised on South Street, Dad attended St. Thomas Aquinas and Oxford Schools, St.Mary’s High School and St. Mary’s College obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce in 1946 (Gold Medalist and Class Valedictorian). He graduated from Harvard University obtaining his MBA in 1951 (with distinction) and obtained his Chartered Accountant (CA) designation in 1953 with the highest marks in the Province of Nova Scotia. He was awarded a Fellowship (FCA) by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nova Scotia in 1978, was inducted into the Saint Mary’s University Accounting Hall of Fame in 1992 and was also presented with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
Dad enjoyed a varied workplace career starting as Chief Accountant at W.H. Schwartz and Sons in 1946. Following his graduation from Harvard, he worked with Lee and Martin Chartered Accountants, and J. & M. Murphy Ltd as Controller. He then worked with Burroughs Business Machines, initially with Internal Audit in Detroit followed by Assistant Controller, in Toronto. In 1964 the family returned to Halifax and he joined the Faculty of Commerce at Saint Mary’s University. Teaching became the highlight of his career. Over ten years he contributed greatly to the education of students and faculty alike as well as to the development of the University’s programs in Accounting, Business Administration and Commerce. Dad worked tirelessly to strengthen accounting education in Atlantic Canada at the University level as well as through the provincial CA Associations. In 1974 Dad had to leave the teaching profession due to throat problems. He joined the Office of the Auditor General of Nova Scotia the same year and became Auditor General in 1984 until his retirement in 1991.
Dad always believed in giving back to the community and volunteered on several Boards of Directors; Saint Joseph's Orphanage, The Halifax Infirmary, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Hope Cottage), Hope Farm, Saint Mary’s University and the Waegwoltic Club.
Dad was very active in sports, playing interfaculty hockey and football during his years at Saint Mary’s College. He was an accomplished tennis player at the North West Arm Club and later at the Waegwoltic Club. He continued with skating (twice weekly until 75) and tennis until 80. Dad was also prolific storyteller, never missing an opportunity to entertain family and friends.
Dad’s intellectual gift diminished in recent years with the onset of mixed dementia (Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia). He faced this challenge with dignity, courage and best of all and not surprisingly, his usual sense of humour.
We will always remember Dad as a great father who despite his active professional life always found time for his wife Barbara and three boys (whether it was playing hockey on the Frog Pond on Christmas Day, or a couple of sets of lively doubles on the Waeg courts). Beyond being a father, Dad was a best friend.
Dad is survived by his three sons Greg (Fay), Halifax; David (Theresa), Lower Sackville; Tom (Maureen), Bermuda; grandchildren Craig (Emily Wheeler), Dartmouth and Michelle, Whistler BC. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Barbara and only sister Helen Celeste “B” King, both of whom passed away this past April. He was also predeceased by his infant brother, John.
The family would like to thank the team at Shannex Evan Hall, for the outstanding care and support provided over the past ten months.
At his request there will be no visitation. A funeral mass will be held at Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, 6476 Bayers Road, Halifax on June 11, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. with reception to follow. Interment will take place at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville after the reception.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of choice.
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