Walter Alexander Sinclair passed away peacefully at Ivey’s Terrace Nursing Home, Trenton, Nova Scotia on the 27th day of January, 2026. Born February 9, 1930, in Trenton, he was the son of the late Michael Sinclair and Ellen Abbott Sinclair.
Walter is survived by his immediate family: wife, Heather; son, James Mark (Rhonda), Halifax; daughter, Melissa Lynn Crabtree (Andrew), Reigate, UK, granddaughter, Sophia Alexandra, also in the UK. As well, he is survived by his late sister, Victoria’s daughters, Paula Fry, Alberta; Brenda and Wanda, Halifax, NS; and his late brother, Jerome’s children: Debbie, Linda and Michael, New Brunswick. He is also survived by brothers-in-law, Jason Avery (Karyn), niece, Rachel Avery, Phd, and Brian Avery (Irene); sister-in-law, Anna and nephew, Ronald Avery (Kristie Love); all of Hamilton, Ontario.
Walter was predeceased by his three sisters, Victoria Smith (Howard), Ethel Steeves, and Christine Samuels Power, (Israel & James H.); his three brothers, Jerome, Joseph, and James; nephews, Raymond and James Jr, New Brunswick and Randy Smith, Cape Breton; niece, Maxine Samuels Wagner, Wisconsin; and brother-in-law, Wayne Avery, Hamilton, Ontario.
Walter began his work life at Eastern Car in Trenton along with his father and brothers. Layoff periods between car orders led him to seek more reliable employment. He worked on the construction of the Colonial Tavern and when it opened, he became a waiter there. In later years, he operated a trucking business and ran a convenience store in North End New Glasgow.
Walter attended St. John’s Academy and was a member of St. John the Baptist Church, New Glasgow. He was also a lifetime member of the New Glasgow Bombers Club spending many a Saturday afternoon playing cards and telling jokes (he had a few favorites) and sometimes he shared those incredible tales from his youth. He was well liked by Club members and the feeling was mutual.
When it came to animals, he was a softie. Walter outlived seven cats and one pigeon he named "Walter". He could often be seen outside shooing away birds if he thought a cat might be stalking them. He loved to stand in the middle of the yard, arms outstretched, palms open and filled with sunflower seeds, his fingers providing perches for feeding chickadees. He also loved to sit out in his screened-in porch watching the deer and whatever wild life chose to amble through.
A fitting tribute to Walter’s memory would be a quiet reflection on the poem following (this version written by Peter Dale Wimbrow, Sr., 1934). Walter carried this poem in his wallet for more than half a century. When it became tattered, he had it copied anew and placed it back in his wallet. The message of this poem resonated with him over the years and remained one of his treasures until his memory failed.
THE MAN IN THE GLASS
As you go through this world in your struggle for "self"
And the world makes you king for a day
Go to the mirror, look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.
For it isn’t your Father, Mother or Wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass
For the one who means the most in your life
Is the one looking back in the glass.
He’s the man to please, never mind the rest
for he’s with you clear up to the end
And you’ve passed your most difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
Some people may call you a jolly good chum
And give you a pat on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartaches & tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.
(Wimbrow, 1934)
A celebration of Walter’s life will be held at 11am Saturday, May 30, 2026, in the R.H. Porter Funeral Home Chapel, New Glasgow. Donations in Walter’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society, the Pictou County Food Bank or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of R.H. Porter Funeral Home, New Glasgow.