Obituary of Eric Alfred Meek

With fond memories and great sorrow we announce that Eric Alfred Meek passed away peacefully on January 5, 2014 at the Valley Regional Hospital after a brief illness. Eric was a well-known resident of Canning where he lived all his life. He was a retired farmer, always been a man to become involved in both his industry and his community and has always given of himself in order to make a difference. Born in 1933 he was the son of Laurris and Beatrice (Borden). He was predeceased by his brother Graham and daughter Karen (Jorgenson). He is survived by his wife Pauline (McMahon); son Clifford, Toronto; daughters Janice (David) Pyke, Amherst and Nancy (Derek Pietersma), Canning; godchild Mary (Bill) Fitzpatrick, London, ON; caregiver Cheryl Baldomino, home; and six grandchildren: Justin Jorgenson, Kegan Jorgenson, John Pyke, Colton Pyke, Bill (Jr) Fitzpatrick and Peter Fitzpatrick. Eric grew up on the family farm in Canning, Nova Scotia and attended local schools. Upon his graduation from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1954, he returned home to farm with his father full-time. They formed a partnership under the name of L. B. Meek and Son and over the years, they have had layers, broilers, potatoes, peas, beans, forage and grain, ran a beef feed lot and had “U-Pick” vegetables and strawberries. Eric believed in the future of the agricultural industry and as such became active in its organization. In 1962 he was elected President of the Kings County Federation of Agriculture. Later he served on many committees and boards including the Pea and Bean Marketing Board, Potato Marketing Board, Vegetable and Potato Producers Associations and the Farm Labor Committee. In 1966, Eric was a founding member of the Nova Scotia Chicken Marketing Board. He was a strong voice of the province’s chicken farmers and served diligently on the Board for 24 years, 11 as Chairman. A longtime advocate of producer-controlled marketing of farm products, Eric assumed the chairmanship of the Canadian Broiler Council at a time when an effort was being made to establish a national system of production and marketing management for chicken in Canada. In 1977, he spent much of his time traveling across Canada promoting the formation of a National Chicken Agency. His hard work and determination paid off when the Canadian Chicken Marketing Agency (now Chicken Farmers of Canada) was formed in 1978. As testament to his leadership, Eric was elected as the first Chairman. Eric also stayed involved in the local chicken industry and served as President of ACA Co-operative Board of Directors in 1956 and again from 1977-1988. He continued to serve the industry on this Board, retiring in 2003. He was elected to the Co-op Atlantic Board of Directors in 1990 and served nine years, two of those as president. Also a strong community supporter, Eric has been involved with the Canning Volunteer Fire Department for over 40 years, part of the time as Chief. He was on the Village Water Commission, served as Moderator of the Canning United Baptist Church, Director of the Valley Credit Union and the Annapolis Valley Funeral Home Co-op to name but a few. In 2004, Eric was recognized as one of the top 50 most influential people in the Canadian poultry industry by the Canadian Poultry Magazine. In 2005 he was inducted into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame. In his golden years, he continued to enjoy travelling with Pauline, making an annual trip to Cuba, relaxing in Scotts Bay and enjoying life to its fullest. In keeping with Eric’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a private service will be held with immediate family. Interment will be held in the Spring at the Canard Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Eric may be made to the Valley Hospice Foundation (https://www.canadahelps.org/dn/15174) or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.serenitylindsayfuneralhome.ca. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Lindsay Annapolis Valley Funeral Home, Coldbrook (34 Coldbrook Village Park Drive) 679-2822.