His family is saddened to announce the passing of Irvine Elwood Fleet on June 17, 2024 at the Aberdeen Hospital with family by his side.
Born March 11, 1933 in Louisbourg to the late Jennie (Pearl) and Ivan E. Fleet, he spent his youth in Louisbourg before the family moved to Trenton after the War.
He often spoke of the years during high school and the early years of working and evenings spent cruising in one of Gramp’s cars and hanging out with friends at McCarron’s Restaurant. At one point, he and his brother bought a car that they worked on and a friend drove in the stock car races. They were also expected to help in the family store with stocking and deliveries. He started working shortly after graduation at Hawker Siddeley delivering mail, eventually working up to Employee Benefits Supervisor from where he retired after more than 40 years. For many years after retirement, the phone would ring at home from people needing assistance about their pensions and he would always try to help them as much as he could.
The middle years saw him working hard and raising his brood of five. The little down time he had found him gardening, bowling, day trips with family and watching his Blue Jays games. He was also an active member of First United Church. Shortly after his retirement, his wife Jean suffered an aneurysm and her care became his focus. Due to his love and care, she was able to stay at home for over 20 years before she went into the nursing home. He was always a little lost after that. In September 2021 dementia changed everything. After a time in hospital, he took up residence at the Veterans Unit in Pictou where his dry sense of humor was greatly enjoyed by the staff.
He is survived by children: Douglas, Ian, Bruce and Donna; grandchildren: David (Josee), Emily, Matthew (Cassie), Madison and Embry; and first great-grandson, Finnigan; sisters: Barbara (Avedis) Balmanoukian and Muriel Hetu; former daughters-in-law: Tracy and Kathy; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife of 62 years, Jean (Martin); daughter, Lynn; sister, Helen; brother, Harvey.
Funeral 2pm Friday, June 21, in R.H. Porter Funeral Home, 55 Almont Ave., New Glasgow, with Rev. Dr. Glen Matheson officiating. Burial in Hillside Cemetery. If you care to do something in Irvine’s memory, donations may be made to First United Church, Trenton, Heart and Stroke Foundation or the SPCA.
Please remember him by thinking of something he often said to us:
"You may think you don’t have much, but there is always someone who has less"
…so always be kind and as generous as you can be to others.