FORMER
KENTVILLE MAYOR PASSES AWAY
With treasured
memories of a life well lived and hearts filled with sadness, we the
family of R. Arthur "Art" Pope announce his peaceful
passing on Friday, June 22, 2012 in the Valley Regional Hospital,
Kentville surrounded by his loving family. Born in Halifax on November
5, 1924, Art was the son of the late Wilfred Arthur and Lillian Cedela
(Huelin) Pope. He attended Richmond School where he became very
involved with the Sea Cadet movement. He also attended Queen Elizabeth
High School. Art served overseas in the Second World War with the
North Shore New Brunswick Regiment and was wounded in Holland near
the end of the war. He remained overseas with the occupation forces in
Germany. He returned to civilian life and moved to the Annapolis
Valley as a Commercial Traveller with Building Products of Canada. He
later opened a branch of Argo flooring becoming a merchant in downtown
Kentville and New Minas. Art ended his working career as the first
Curator of the Old Kings Courthouse Museum in Kentville which he
thoroughly enjoyed. He was involved in municipal politics spanning
over 30 years with the Town of Kentville. He served four terms as
Councillor, Deputy Mayor, ending his political life as Mayor from
1994-1997. He was involved in minor hockey with sons, Rick and Scott
and served on the Minor Hockey Council for Hockey Nova Scotia. He was
also a former member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Kings Branch No. 6,
Kentville, a member of the Kentville Lions Club, Past President of the
Kings County Commercial Travelers Club and the Kentville and Area
Board of Trade being awarded honourary membership in the Eastern Kings
Chamber of Commerce. He could often be seen out and about, enjoying
his walks. Art’s greatest joy in life was his family, for
which he had unending love, pride and admiration. He is survived by
his loving wife of 59 years, Carol; son, Rick (Susan), Dartmouth;
daughters, Robin, Halifax; Kimberly (Bill) Barlett, Burlington,
Ontario; Jennifer (David) Pope-Waterbury, Kentville; son, Scott,
Kentville; his cherished grandchildren, Adam and Jessica Pope; Laura,
Faith and Andrew Barlett; Jordan and Katherine Waterbury; several
special nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents;
sisters, Anne Grant and Joan Lanigan; brother, Wilfred. Art was the
last surviving member of his immediate family. Cremation has taken
place. Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, 2012 in
the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville. The funeral service will
take place at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 27, 2012 in St. James
Anglican Church, Kentville, Reverend Cathy Pharo officiating. A
private interment for immediate family will take place in the Garden
of Rest Cemetery, Parish of St. James. A reception will follow in the
upper church hall. Family flowers only, by request. Donations in
memory may be made to St. James Anglican Church, Kings Historical
Society or Valley Regional Hospital Foundation. We the family, would
like to thank the medical staff of Valley Regional Hospital and
special thanks to Dr. Michael Sinclair, Reverend Cathy Pharo and
Reverend Sandra Fyfe for all your care and concern over the last
month. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family
Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.
Condolences
My sincere condolence to the Pope Family as you mourn the loss of your loved one. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
I had the great pleasure of getting to know Art and Carol through the Eye Clinic I once worked at. It was always a pleasure to see Art's smiling face in the office and around town. I always had great respect for Art and his family and know he will be greatly missed in our community.
Sincerely,
Diane Burbidge
— Diane Burbidge
Sorry to hear about Art's passing. Please accept my sympathy. My prayers and thoughts are with you in this time of sorrow. Take care.
— Rita Judge
Please accept our sincerest sympathies during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss of your husband. He will be missed.
— All of the staff at Merry Maids of the Valley
My condolences to the entire Pope family from a friend from the past. Thinking of everyone during this difficult time.
Peter & the White Family – Burlington, ON
— Peter White
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of Art, he was a wonderful ambassador to the town of Kentville and always had a wave and smile when you met him. He will be sadly missed. Carol and family our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
— Faye & Jack Calder
Just wanting to let you know that I am so sorry to learn of your dear dad's and husband's passing. I know that you all will miss him tremendously. Thinking of you duing this incredibly sad time. Krista Myles
— Krista Myles
Please accept my condolences on your loss.
I found comfort in the hope the Bible offers for our loved ones at Psalms 37:29 which says, "The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forevre upon it."
We are assured by God in His Word the Bible, that after the earth is cleansed of current troubled conditions, it will be restored to a paradise like the Garden of Eden as He originally purposed. Then our loved ones can return to life on earth in good health. (Isaiah 33:24)
Then there will be no more sorrow or pain as we are promised at Revelation 21:4. It reads, "He will wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."
I hope these words will bring you a measure of solace in your time of loss.
— Sandra Sullivan
It is with great sadness that I learn of the passing of my friend and former Municipal Sponsor, as Mayor of Kentville. I knew Art well even before I became the Town Crier of Kentville under his Administration and more so as we shared many public functions. I always teased Art during his term as Mayor because at the same time the Mayor of Windsor was Earl Hood. Art always had hearty smile when I reminded him that I served both ends of the municipal spectrum when two of the communities I represented were governed by a "Pope" and a "Hood". I too will greatly miss the man I grew to appreciate and respect as a community pioneer and a true friend. My most profound sympathy is extended to his family. Lloyd Smith, Town Crier of Kentville - once blessed by the "Pope".
— Lloyd Smith
Rick and Susan,
My thoughts are with you in the time of your loss.
Janet
— Janet Shay
We will miss Mr Pope in our store. His great smile and positive attitude is what life is all about. Thankfully Jennifer and her family come in often so the legacy continues. RIP Mr Pope and God Bless
Rockwell Home Hardware
— Colette Schaller-Beaton (Rockwell)
My sincere and heartfelt sympathy to Carol,Scott
and the entire Pope family at this time of loss.
Art and I were not only friends but spent alot of
time together on minor hockey in the mid 80's.Great memories of a fine man.
Fred
— Fred Chisholm
Condolences to you and your family on the passing of your Dad. You will be in my thoughts.
~Allison
— Allison Coldwell
Carol,
I was sorry to learn online about Art's passing Friday. Art was both an early role model for me, and supporter, always offering sage advice and encouragement. He made a difference for, not only Kentville, but anybody who had the good fortune to know him. I was lucky to have him as a friend, and will miss him.
Unfortunately I have prior commitments outside of the area that prevent me from attending his service, but I want you, and your family, to know how much I valued his friendship. May your many good memories together sustain you through this difficult time.
David (Morse)
— David Morse
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. We came to know Art and Scott through Kentville Minor Hockey when our son Kevin played - many years ago.
We remember Art as a very pleasant person who was always there to encourage the hockey players on the team. May all the beautiful memories that you shared with him, help sustain you through this most difficult time. "What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we love deeply, becomes a part of us." Sincerely,
Don & Merle Pettipas
— Don & Merle Pettipas
I too extend condolences to all of Art Pope's family. I worked at Argo Flooring with Art during my KCA years in the late 1960's. Art treated me well, kindly and encouraged me in many ways. His long list of community involvement,his wartime service, his love of Nova Scotia history and his family strengths were gits to us all. May we all experience God's comfort in our loss.
John Tenyenhuis
— John Tenyenhuis
Art made such a deep and long commitment to his community and his passing calls well-deserved attention to that service, but today my thoughts are with Carol and Art's family and friends who are grieving their loss. Please accept my sincere sympathy.
— Jim Morton
Deepest condolences , thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
— Kelly (Matthews) and Glenn Desmond
I am very sorry to hear of Art's passing. He was a kind, gentle man. My earliest memories as a toddler are of the Pope's warmth and hospitality as neighbors. I was glad to have the opportunity to visit Art, Carol, and Jennifer last summer. My heart goes out to his family.
— Amy Smeltzer
Robin,
I know that your Dad is now free of his failing body, in heaven. And even though it is all very rational and his time to go, it certainly doesn't make it any easier for you, your Mom and the rest of your family. I know that the sense of loss is huge and difficult to imagine and come to terms with.
My thoughts and prayers have been with you since your Dad went in the hospital and remain there still.
God Bles you all!
With Love,
anne
— Anne Kenney
Robin, I have such fond memories of visits to your home so many years ago. Your dad will always be with you in your memories and your heart.
— Nancy Ball (Cooper)
Art Pope was a fine gentleman with much wisdom and genuine concern for others. I, too, am so sorry to learn of his passing and extend sincere sympathy to his family.
— Don Smeltzer
Dear Carol and family:
Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. I have fond memories of working with Art when we were both in positions as mayors. His knowledge and interest in municipal affairs was well-noted. May you find peace and comfort in your own memories of Art and his well-lived life.
Our heartfelt sympathy,
John and Louise Rainforth
— John Rainforth
We are thinking of you in your time of sadness, Art will be missed.
— Kenneth and Anne Reade
I was saddened to read of the loss of your Dad and surely Kentville's most well-known and outstanding citizen. Allow me to join with your many friends in extending my deepest sympathy on this sad occasion. I recall Rick when I was Walter Corbett's student teacher at KCA ('72-'73) and very much enjoyed working with Scott while a substitute teacher at Avon View High.
— Robert Ripley
Carol, my sincere sympathy to you, your children and grandchildren. Art was a very special man. Hold on to the special memories.
Sincerely, Kathleen
— Kathleen McNally
Kim and family.
Having just lost my dad, I know what these past few weeks have been for you. There will be harder days ahead... but better days as well. Always remember the special times you had with your Dad. Thinking and praying for you... Coop
— Brian Cooper
Dad's are such very special people, we never stop needing them. You will still feel him guiding you, just in a different way now. Keeping you all in my prayers.
— Cheryl (Curry) Hill
Dear Carol and family,sincere sympathy ,thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time,we have great memories of Art,always carried a smile for everyone..Ed and Marilyn[Ross] Rice,Moncton N.B.
— Marilyn Rice
