George Arthur Acker

George Arthur Acker – age 89, passed away on Tuesday, February 23, 2021.  Born in Granville Ferry on September 22, 1931 he was a son of Roy Acker and Annie (Sanford) (Acker) Riley. In his immediate family, George was predeceased by his loving wife, Mary (Langille), an infant son, Kevin, his parents, and a brother, William.  George is survived by sons, Brian (Christie), Toronto; David (Nancy), Kentville; Laurie (Joyce), New Glasgow; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Phyllis (Bev) Alexander, Burlington, Ont.; and an abundance of loved extended family members. George’s first love was the railroad. As a young teenager, George gained employment with the Dominion Atlantic Railway (or Devils After Rum he and his co-workers used to call it). His favourite train was the steam engine.  To George, a steam engine was a living thing. Once onboard an engine, he loved to listen to the train snorting and choo, choo, chooing. As the train’s fireman, George enjoyed the challenge presented by each train, for each train would steam differently. Long before he could see the train, George could identify each individual engine by the sounds it made. He delighted in conversation about steam trains and sharing his wealth of knowledge and experiences. Trains may have been George’s first love, but the love of his life was his wife, Mary Langille. George and Mary lived in various communities throughout Nova Scotia and in the late 1960’s they purchased their first home and settled in Kentville with their three young sons.  47 Churchill Avenue would be their forever home, raising a family there and becoming part of the community.  George coached little league baseball and became a very active member in the Glooscap Curling Club of Kentville.  Family was important to George, expressing often how proud he was of his three boys.  In the days before his passing, one thing George wanted his boys to know was that they were loved. George led an interesting life. As a young man he trained with the cadets to a rank of Sergeant Major and Lieutenant as well as earning bronze, silver and gold medals in marksmanship. After the railroad, he worked in the life insurance business, owned a service station, a plumbing business, worked as a supervisor for Texaco and until retirement, the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission.  George knew everyone and loved to chat. He had that natural ability to make new make friends wherever he went. As a young man, George played in a band, was active in the Lions Club and was a Freemason. Throughout his lifetime, he played guitar (six and 12 string), mandolin, fiddle, banjo, anything with strings. Curling was a family event in the Acker household and many great times were had at the Kentville Curling Club. He dabbled in oil and acrylic painting and in the warmer months George enjoyed golfing. A longtime member of KenWo and Eagle Crest Golf Clubs, he took great pride when his three boys could join him for a round. Summers also meant camping with friends and family that created a lifetime of wonderful memories. Hunting, trips to the camp, fishing, gardening, grilling, and pickling were sidelines enjoyed by George. His garden always producing an abundance of produce that he generously shared with others. He took great pride in his property, keeping it in tip top shape all year long. Churchill Avenue, Kentville wasn’t just his neighbourhood, it was his extended family with neighbours that became treasured friends. George had the best neighbours a guy could ask for and for that he was so thankful. Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation or funeral service at this time. A committal service will be held for family and friends at a date to be announced. Donations may be made in George’s memory to the Glooscap Curling Club of Kentville Junior Program, Attention: Jim Houghton P.O. Box 111 Stn. Main, Kentville, NS, B4N 3V9 902-678-4637 [email protected]. Arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.