H. Edward Purvis

Harry Edward (Ed) Purvis, age 89, of Trenton, passed away October 5, 2015 in the Palliative Care Unit of the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow. Born July 18, 1926, he was a son of the late Clifford and Gertrude (Baglole) Purvis. Ed was a resident of Trenton most of his life. In his early years, he worked as a clerk at Connor’s Grocery and then Riveting Assistant with Hawker Siddeley. Ed was a firm believer in continued learning – transferring to the Boiler Room and attained his 2nd Class Power Engineer Certificate. Also traveling to Halifax to study television and radio repair and upon completion, he started a small business on a part-time basis repairing televisions and radios in Pictou County. In the early 60’s, Ed was elected to the position of Financial Officer for Local 1231 United Steelworkers of America representing the unionized employees of Hawker Siddeley, Trenton NS. He worked in this position negotiating contracts and arguing grievances of unionized employees. Ed purchased the Shell service station on Main St Trenton in the late 60’s selling gasoline and servicing vehicles and sold used vehicles under the name Trenton Car Sales Ltd. From 1973 – 1988, he was the rink manager for the Trenton Rink (15 years) and then New Glasgow Stadium (5 years). During his time in Trenton, he studied and acquired his 1st Class Refrigeration Certification. He also held the position of Justice of the Peace and Notary of the Public from 1964 until his retirement in 1992. Ed also served as the Mayor of Trenton from 1971 – 1975. Ed was an avid sports enthusiast. In his early life, he played fastball, hockey and curling and was very passionate about the sport of boxing. In later years, Ed coached junior and senior hockey and fastball at the bantam and senior level. He served as President of Trenton Athletic Association which provided minor sports programs for fastball and hockey for the children of Trenton from the early 60’s to the early 70’s, producing many Provincial Championships in fastball at the Atom, Pee Wee and Bantam levels. Ed volunteered as an umpire in fastball and umpired in Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough Counties. He served as a member of the Nova Scotia Softball Association during the 60’s as 1st Vice President and was on the host committee for the 1969 Canada Games in Halifax for softball. Ed was inducted into the Pictou County Sports Hall of Fame in the builder category. He is survived by daughters: Cathy (Steven), Trenton; Diane, Trenton; sons: Ronald (Janet), Trenton; William (Darlene), New Glasgow; grandchildren: Scott (Liz), Jason (Mindy), John (Chrissy), Jaclyn (Chris), Jeff (Petra), Janine (Michael), Jennifer (Myles) and Tony; great-grandchildren: Chyanne, Cierra, Rachelle and Olivia; sisters: Ivey MacRae, Ontario; Hazel (Earl) Burgess, Truro; brothers: Robert (Barb), New Glasgow; Clyde (Sharon), Westville; sister-in-law, Marilyn, Walkerville; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Isabel (Burrows) in 2004; sisters, Doris Belle Olsen and Ann MacLeod; brother, Clifford; aunt, Kay Fraser; niece Dawn Purvis; brothers-in-law, David MacRae and Donald Olsen. Visitation 2-4 and 7-9 pm Saturday in the R.H. Porter Funeral Home, Trenton. Funeral service 2 pm Sunday in First United Church Hall, with Rev. Wade Reppert and Rev. Dr. Debra Orton officiating. Burial will be in Abercrombie Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to the Aberdeen Palliative Care Society.