Garth Elroy Staples
1940 - 2023
Garth Elroy Staples
Visitation Information
Visitation
March 9, 2023
Visitation Time
6-8 PM
Visitation Location
Mattatall - Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro
Service Information
Service Date
Friday March 10, 2023
Service Time
11:00 AM
Service Location
Mattatall - Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro
Burial Information
Burial Date
Spring 2023
Burial Location
Crossroad (Old Methodist) Cemetery, Belmont
Requested Charity
Heart and Stroke Foundation
Print Obituary print this page

Garth Elroy Staples – 82, Truro, formerly of Wolfville and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at Halifax Infirmary, QEII, Halifax. Born in Staples Brook, Colchester County, he was a son of the late William and Essie (Armsworthy) Staples.

Garth is survived by his spouse, Heather Stewart; daughter, Hope Digout (Lennie); grandsons, Jack Digout, Max Digout; nephew, Dr. Eric Staples. Garth is also survived by Heather’s sisters, Sandra Brehaut (John), Karen Stewart; nephew, John Brehaut; nieces, Linda Brehaut, Marion Breau (Matt). Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Eugene; sister-in-law, Frances; brother, Eric Rowe Staples; niece, Arlene.

Garth’s working career began in the school system in Hamilton, Ontario, where he taught from 1958 to 1964, after graduating from Hamilton Teachers College. While in Hamilton, he received the Queens Commission as a Lieutenant in the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. In 1965, he embarked on a career with International Harvester, which was to last for fourteen years in various management positions in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. He then began a career in Public Service, which saw him serve as Deputy Minister of Department of Tourism and Department of Industry with PEI Government.

After his time of public service, he became president of Staples Quality Travel and secretary of Staples Quality Tours, travel service companies with branches in Charlottetown, Truro and Amherst. Post retirement, he returned to his first love, teaching at the Tourism and Culinary Centre of Holland College in Charlottetown.

Always active in his community, Garth carried out projects for Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian Red Cross, Royal Canadian Legion and Prince Edward Island Farm Centre. He was also the founding member of Culinary Institute of Canada. A lifelong Conservative, he ran for Parliament in the Federal Riding of Malpeque in the 1993 general election.

His greatest hobby and passion was the study of genealogy. As a result of his extensive work and research, he published a major work on the Staples family, which became a part of the history of the Belmont area of Nova Scotia. He was always ready to assist other genealogical researchers with his expertise. He was also a student of Canadian military history and was proud to have led delegations of veterans on European pilgrimages.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall – Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro, where Garth’s family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, March 9, 2023, and funeral service 11 a.m., Friday, March 10, 2023, Reverend Rob Lyle officiating. Spring interment in Crossroads (Old Methodist) Cemetery, Belmont. If so desired, donations in Garth’s memory to Heart and Stroke Foundation are welcomed. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the family by viewing Garth’s obituary on-line and selecting "Send A Condolence" at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com

Garth Elroy Staples