Grover Kelley Rose

We are deeply saddened to announce Grover, 79, of Berwick, NS, passed away peacefully with family by his side in the Valley Regional Hospital on Monday, February 5, 2024. Grover was born in Halifax the son of the late James Kelley and Dorothy (Lent) Rose.

Grover attended Dartmouth High School. He lived and worked the better part of his life in Dartmouth. He acquired an interest in jewels and precious gems having worked with Neima Brothers Jewelers in Dartmouth after completing high school. His keen interest and curiosity took him to the Gemological Institute of America in California in 1966 from which he graduated in 1967 as a Certified Gemologist, the first in Nova Scotia. On his return home, Grover made his leap into gemology with Leon Neima Jewelers in Halifax. He held several jobs in his field until he started his own business, The House of Jewels, which eventually evolved into G.K. Rose Appraisal Ltd. on Tacoma Drive in Dartmouth. His work took him to various parts of the globe. He enjoyed his business and immensely appreciated the social aspect of interacting with his many valued clients. Grover retired in 2011 due to ill health, at which time he moved to Berwick.

Grover loved the outdoors. He loved to spend time hunting and fishing at Ray’s camp and in Barney’s River. Some of his fondest memories were wading waist deep in the Stillwaters at Mosher’s River with his father. Grover had a very closeknit group of lifelong friends with whom he relished salmon fishing, hunting, golf trips and just spending time together. Before his illness, Grover lunched regularly every Saturday with the boys where all the world’s problems were solved. Grover was blessed with a wonderful sense of humour and was always quick with a joke. He had a warm and welcoming smile for everyone he met and the ability to make each person feel they were the most important in the room. Grover will be sorely missed by his family, many friends and business acquaintances.

Grover is survived by his wife, Patricia (Faulkner) Rose; his son, Scott, daughter-in-law Pamela; granddaughters, Sienna, Keira, and Sophie, of Dartmouth; and his stepson, Bill Lithgow of Ontario. Grover loved his family deeply and was very proud of his granddaughters. He was predeceased by his first wife, Charlene (Wirtanen) Rose and his lifelong friend Doug McCullum.

Grover was treated with kindness, care and compassion during times of illness over the years and in particular during the last months of his life. We sincerely wish to thank VON Homecare and nursing, the Seniors’ LINCS teams, doctors, nurses and support staff in the ER and ICU of Valley Regional Hospital, especially Drs. M. Keough, Robin Bustin, and Judith Putz. Thank you for the kind words, prayers and emotional support offered by family, friends and acquaintances. And a special thank you to Linda Dicks, his long-time assistant, who went above and beyond to assist Grover after his stroke in any way she possibly could. His Guardian Angel.

Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation. A celebration of life will be held on May 25, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. from St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 120 Mill Street, Berwick, with a reception to follow. Donations in memory may be made to VON, Annapolis Valley (9319 Commercial Street, New Minas, NS B4N 3G2) or a charity of your choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.