Obituary of Auldon Carter

97, of Wolfville, formerly of Middleton, died peacefully at Valley Regional Hospital on Thursday October 1, 2009 with his family at his side. Born in Phillips Harbour, Guysborough County, he was a son of the late John and Carrie (Rhynold) Carter and the last surviving member of his immediate family. Following high school at home and in Canso, he attended Acadia University, graduating from there in Arts and Education. His career as a teacher and school principal in all types of Nova Scotia schools, ending at Truro, Dartmouth and the Community College at Middleton, covered a 40 year period. During the war years, he served for a short time as the principal of a high school refresher class for RCAF recruits, held at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro. Later he enlisted in the Canadian Army, being one of the original team of Personnel Selection Officers. He served at the Army District Headquarters in Halifax, being promoted to captaincy there and overseas in the United Kingdom and Northwest Europe. After the war he attended reserve (militia) training and duties, receiving the Canadian Forces Decoration on his retirement. He was an active member of the United Baptist Churches wherever he lived, serving on various committees or as a deacon. In the teaching profession he acted as a member of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, as a local president and on negotiating committees. On other occasions he was the winning participant in a Rural Winter Fair, a scoutmaster, a hockey manager and he led many extracurricular activities. His other interests were in drawing house plans, buildings construction, gardening, camping tours across Canada and the United States, visiting historical sites, writing, watching TV sports, enjoying classical music and entertaining friends and relatives at picnics and social games. After his retirement, he did historical and genealogical research and wrote his only published work, They Came to Phillips Harbour, a biographical collection including the history and family trees of the early settlers who came there following the American Revolutionary War. He was able to fully enjoy those retirement years and continue to have a healthy, active life including remarrying at 88 years old. This marriage added great pleasure to the last 9 years of his life and included many spirited games of 45's right to the end. Surviving are his wife, Freda (Lane-McMahon); his sons, Thomas (Evelyne), Patricia and Victoria (Scott), Toronto; Robert (Beverley), Amanda (Cameron) and Robert Jr. Vacaville, California; his daughters, Mary (Bill) Fitzpatrick, William and Peter, London, Ontario; Margaret (Greg) Rheaume, Laura, Ottawa, Ontario; step-daughter, Lynda (Heber) Lockyer, Canning; step-sons, Gary (Mona) McMahon, Scott and Michael, Bedford; Jeffrey (Paula) McMahon, Lee Morgan, Benjamin and Brigette, Kingsport; Kevin (Anne) McMahon, Mathew and Jeffrey, Deux Montagnes, Quebec; David (Cheryl) McMahon, Fall River; Rodney (Suzanne) McMahon, Brock, Oliver and Irelande, Katelyn and Zach, Kentville; sister-in-law, Blanche Carter; nephew, Ralph, Pine Tree, Pictou County; and many other relatives. He was predeceased by his first wife, Josphine (McMahon); sister, Ethel; brothers, John and Ralph; and sister-in-law, Hilda Carter. Cremation has taken place. No visitation by family request. A memorial service will be held in the H. C. Lindsay Funeral Home Chapel, Kentville on Monday, October 5, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with Chaplain Jim Norton officiating. Interment will take place Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the Union Cemetery, Queensport, Guysborough County. Family flowers only. Donations may be made to the Valley Regional Hospital or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the care of H.C. Lindsay Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 5 Leverett Avenue, Kentville NS. B4N 2K5 (902-678-2151). Donations or cards and letters of sympathy may be sent to this address or on-line at: www.hclindsayfuneralhome.ca