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Burton Chesley "Burt" Pye – 85, Truro, formerly of Upper Brookside. It is with grateful hearts for a life well lived and unconditional love shown us, we announce the sudden passing of Burton Chesley Pye on Friday, January 14, 2022 at Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro. Born in Eureka, Pictou County, he was the second son of the late George and Margaret (MacPherson) Pye.
At the age of 14, his family moved to Toronto, and at the age of 18, Dad joined the army, and his first posting was to Germany. His next posting brought him back to Nova Scotia. His military service came to an end when Dad met the love of his life and they decided to put down roots in Upper Brookside. They resided in the house Dad built for 50 plus years.
During his lifetime, he established many long-term friendships through his career with Yould’s Limited and his community involvement. Dad was a 40 plus year member of North River and District Fire Brigade. After retiring from firefighting, he assisted the Ladies Auxiliary with their fundraising dinners, including 19 of their 20 pancake breakfasts. He served as president of Truro Girls Pipe Band Parents Auxiliary and as band bus driver for many years.
Dad was involved in the scouting movement for many years, including District Scout Master Colchester County and Assistant District Commissioner for Scouts. He and lifelong friend, Gordon Weatherby established and operated the Cub/Scout Camp in Malagash. Later, Dad and Gordon became involved in 77 Arrowhead Squadron Air Cadets, Truro, where Dad started as a civilian instructor before attaining the rank of Captain and assuming the role of Commanding Officer for eight years.
Dad’s love of airplanes took him to the Miniature Aircraft Society of Truro, where he built (from scratch) and flew over twenty balsawood airplanes. Many of his planes were scale replicas of WWII airplanes, with four donated to CFB Greenwood and forming part of the museum displays.
Dad was also very musical, starting as a young boy riding the train from Eureka to Stellarton by himself for violin lessons, and amassing a great collection of violins over his lifetime. While not a showman, if pressed, you could get Dad to play a tune or two at various functions. Some of his proudest moments were when his grandchildren joined him with their musical talents.
In August of 2018, he lost his beloved wife, Leona (Staples), and life was never the same. One of their joint hobbies was creating beautiful ceramic pieces of which they left us many to treasure. We take heart in knowing Mom and Dad are reunited and will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary together on January 26th. Family meant everything to Dad; nothing brought a smile to his face like a family gathering.
Mourning his passing are daughters, Lynn, Heather (Sandy McLane), Kelly (John MacDonald); grandchildren, Dr. Patrick (Dr. Terra), Holly (Brian), Michael (Christina), Sarah-Jean (Asad), Sam, Katherine (Mason); great-grandchildren, Julie, Chesley, Wyatt; sisters-in-law, Etta Dewar (whom we can’t thank enough for her loving support to all of us), Carole and Gillian Pye; loved as if she were a daughter, Nancy (Alan Ryan); special cousins, Beulah Martell and Vincent (Jean) Pye; many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Bill (Isabel), Ralph, Ernest; sister, Verna Chiasson; brothers-in-law, Jack Chiasson, Carson Dewar, Rufus Staples, Murray Staples, Dexter Staples; special friend, Danny Delaney.
We would like to thank the Emergency Room team at Colchester East Hants Health Centre for the great care provided to Dad as he made his final journey. The empathy and compassion you showed will never be forgotten.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall – Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro, where a Firefighter's Tribute Service will be held 5:30 p.m., Thursday, June 2, 2022, followed by visitation from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, June 2, 2022. Interment iwill be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 3, 2022, at Crossroads Cemetery, 110 Salmon River Road, Valley.
In lieu of flowers, donations to North River and District Fire Brigade or Heart and Stroke Foundation are welcomed. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the family by viewing Burt’s obituary on-line and selecting "Send A Condolence" at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com