Allen Gordon Faulkner – 92, Truro, passed away on August 2, 2015. Born in Princeport, Nova Scotia, he was the eldest child of the late Alexander Hill and Edith (Wright) Faulkner, and was raised on the family farm.
At the age of 18, he joined the Merchant Marine. After his ship, the Delfshaven, was torpedoed in 1942, he and other shipmates survived ten days on the open ocean. After his release from an internment camp in Guinea, West Africa, he continued to sail until the end of the war. Later he was employed by Imperial Oil, making voyages to ports around the world. He left his sailing career after his marriage to Harriet to be closer to his growing family.
He worked as a carpenter until he joined the Post Office as a letter carrier in 1961, retiring in 1986. He was known to many as "the mailman with the big dog", as he would often be seen walking many extra miles with his St. Bernard after a day’s work. After retiring he attended a French Immersion summer school, wrote personal and family memoirs, and continued his carpentry and gardening activities. He volunteered with Heart and Stroke Foundation and Community Volunteer Income Tax program. He was a devout member of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church. He helped many seniors with whatever needed to be done. He lived independently at home until the stroke that claimed his life.
Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Harriet Anne (Archibald); siblings, Bertha (Beaver), Richmond and Ralph. He is survived by his brother, Douglas; children, Ruth, Chris (Terryl), Paul (Lynn), Cathy (Joe Pinto), Alan (Saida), Jane (Joel) Henderson, Sandy, and Irene (Paul) Van Zeumeren; grandchildren, Jason, Janet, Colin, Joel, Laura, Erin, George, Michael, Brett, Craig, Ian, Ross, James, Stephen, Daniel, Amira, Nicolas, Hannah, and Eric; eight great-grandchildren. We would like to thank Dr. Chris Cook and the staff at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre for their care and kindness. Dad has donated his remains to Dalhousie University.
A memorial service will be held 10 a.m., Friday, August 7, 2015, at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, 669 Prince Street, Truro, Father Francesco Pirisi officiating. Reception will follow in Campbell Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations to Colchester Food Bank, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, or a charity of your choice are welcomed. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the family by viewing Gordon’s obituary on-line and selecting "Send A Condolence" at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com