Harold William Porter

Harold William Porter, of Centerville, Kings County, age 95, died peacefully on Monday, March 2, 2020 in the Valley Regional Hospital after a brief illness precipitated by a heart condition. Harold grew up in Centreville and at the age of 16, joined the Armed Forces, serving in Europe during the Second World War. After the end of the war, he attended Dawson College in Montreal, later joining CBC Radio in Halifax where he worked as a radio technician until his retirement. Harold was a gifted writer and public speaker who enjoyed satire. For those who were around in the mid 1970's you might remember a CBC radio interview that was sparked by the news-of-the-day that we were rapidly running out of oil. The CBC interviewer introduced Harold as a well-known civil engineer who had been hired by the provincial government to solve our problem. Harold explained that his company would be disengaging Nova Scotia from New Brunswick at the isthmus of Chignecto and floating it down to Florida for the winter - returning in the spring. At the end of the program, the switchboard at the CBC lit up with calls from listeners, some furious and some in agreement. One caller was annoyed that the Nova Scotia government would agree to the plan without first holding a plebiscite while another caller wanted to know if the province would be back by early summer because his family was planning to vacation here. Harold's sense of humour, his quick wit and his love of a good yarn were well known by family, friends and strangers alike. He enjoyed people. Harold was also an amateur radio operator (VE1AQP) and eventually became a computer enthusiast. His many interests and hobbies included painting, photography, gardening and wine making. He never ceased to continue learning. Besides Pat, his wife of 46 years, Harold is survived by one brother Russell; two children, David and Ruth; four grandchildren, Jaqueline, Michael, Scott and Lynn; four great grandchildren, Marigold, Iris, Alden and Hayden; four step children, Stuart, Roddy, Mora and Carolyn; six step grandchildren, Broghan, Hannah, Mollie, Alexander, Ben and Charlie; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, William Porter; mother, Maude (Wournell) Porter; brothers, Clifford, Albert (Pete); sisters, Mildred and Alberta; and son, Bill. A celebration of Harold's life will be held at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.