Obituary of Charles Robert Nowlan

Charles Robert Nowlan passed away at the age of 87, Wednesday, February 18, 2015, in Valley Regional Hospital. He was the son of George Clyde Nowlan and Miriam Chishom Nowlan of Wolfville, Kings County. He was a man of many interests. He passionately pursued his first dream of becoming a farmer until a fire destroyed the farm he was planning to run. Resiliently facing this disappointment he switched to business, joining The Canadian Acceptance Corporation. He moved up through the rungs of the hierarchy, and progressively farther west until receiving an offer for a promotion that would have taken him to Toronto. Partially to avoid this he made an opportune switch to the Department of Revenue, and was promptly transferred to Toronto. Accepting his destiny, he stayed with Revenue in Toronto for five years. Returning to Ottawa he switched to Customs and Excise and helped forge an efficient team, retiring as Director of Intelligence. In the course of this work he made lifelong friends at home and abroad. He travelled to almost all continents for both business and pleasure. He shared his travels and travails, with his wife Bernice who passed away sixteen months before he did. They took on the world together, both figuratively and literally, remaining committed to each other and providing each other with constant support. He made a home wherever he was, building parts of it with his own hands. The doghouse he built for Patches, with shingled roof, glazed window and wooden floor, was the envy of his children and as a result of his talent and creativity being sent to the doghouse was not associated with punishment. He was a gentle giant, a man of never-failing humour. A man of honour, trust and faith. He was a lifelong pillar of his church and a lover of dogs, sailing and Famous Grouse. He was predeceased by his brother George and sister-in-law Dorothy and is remembered by his sister Clara, brothers and sisters-in-law Pat and Cynthia and Mike and Shirley. By his children Randy, Christine, John and wife Lynn, and David; by his grandchildren Aileen, Gavin, Kelly, Owen, Jenna, Riley, Tyler and Kelsey, and by many, many others. Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation, by request. The funeral service, followed by a reception, will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, February 24, 2015 in the Wolfville Funeral Chapel,568 Main Street, Wolfville, Reverend Tim McFarland officiating. Interment will take place after the snow has gone in the Gaspereau Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in memory may be made to the charity of your choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Lindsay Annapolis Valley Funeral Home, Wolfville Funeral Chapel (902) 542-4656. .