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In Memory of Gerald K. Simpson
First Baptist Church Halifax extends sincere sympathy to Sandra Nowlan and family in the loss of her father, Gerald K. Simpson, of Deer Island, N. B. on March 18, 2009. Mr. Simpson's obituary with details of a Funeral Service.
 SIMPSON, Gerald Kenneth, 98,
of Fairhaven, Deer Island, N.B., passed away peacefully in the
Passamaquoddy Lodge, St. Andrews, N.B., on March 18, 2009. Gerald was
born in Fairhaven on November 29, 1910, the youngest son of the late
George Albert Simpson and Florence Adelaide Calder Simpson. He spent
his life in the home of his birth. An energetic and industrious
entrepreneur, he became licensed as an electrician and plumber, and
operated his contracting business on Deer Island until he retired at
the age of 93. In an interview with the Telegraph Journal he said, "I
can't understand it, a lot of people quit work before they are 80 years
old". He considered retiring at the age of 90 but islanders kept
calling him for help and he didn't want to let them down. His long
career had several interesting milestones. In the 1940s, he worked with
the crew on the power lines to bring electricity from the mainland
across to Deer Island. Sometimes in the summer he traveled on the mail
boat to Campobello Island to work on the lavish summer homes of wealthy
Americans. It was there he met Eleanor Roosevelt while he was wiring
her home before it was made into an International Park. But his main
focus was working for friends and neighbours on Deer Island. Meticulous
in his work, he also had a prodigious memory that served him well to
his final year. He knew the location of every pump and septic tank on
Deer Island and the year it was installed. Gerald was very involved in
his community. He was a founding member of the Deer Island Credit
Union, helped establish the medical clinic in Fairhaven, was a
volunteer fireman in his younger years and a member of the Masons,
Gideons and Orange Lodge. He participated in the Deer Island
Development Association and he and his wife Hazel won several awards
for their lavish flower gardens. Gerald was a dedicated Baptist and
active in the Fairhaven Baptist Church, serving as church clerk,
deacon, Sunday school superintendent and choir member. He also was a
benefactor of Acadia University where both daughters, Sandra and
Sylvia, and granddaughter, Laura, had attended. He founded the Simpson
Lecture Series to provide enrichment for pastors and established the
George and Florence Simpson Memorial Scholarship. He was a supporter of
many charities. In his retirement, Gerald kept his mind sharp by
reading biographies, listening to classical music and doing crossword
puzzles. A faithful newspaper reader, he also kept up on the news
through his computer which he learned to use at the age of 87. A
successful gardener, he doted on his rose bed and dahlias, and shared
beans and cucumbers from his vegetable garden with neighbours. He loved
good food and celebrated his 97th birthday at the Algonquin hotel. He
was predeceased by Hazel Smith Simpson, his wife of 65 years; his
brothers, George, Herbert, Wesley and Ernest; and sisters, Bessie, Lida
and Nora. He is lovingly remembered by daughters, Sandra Nowlan (John),
Halifax; Dr. Sylvia Simpson (Richard Gonzalez), Denver. Colo.;
grandchildren, Dr. Claire Nowlan (Dr. Todd Calder), Halifax; Laura
Nowlan Hatfield (Daniel), Fredericton, N.B.; Andrew Nowlan, Osaka,
Japan; great-grandchildren, Kieran and Cameron Calder, Eva and Adah
Hatfield; nieces, Florence Rost, Charlene Thorne and Beverly Simpson.
Visitation hours in Fairhaven Baptist Church will be Friday 2 to 4 and
7 to 9 p.m., with a Masonic service at 7 p.m. Funeral service will be
held on Saturday, March 21, at 1 p.m. in Fairhaven Baptist Church. In
lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Fairhaven Baptist Church,
Heart and Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick, or donor's choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of St. George Funeral Home and
Crematorium, 26 Portage St., St. George, N.B. (506-755-3533)
www.stgeorgefh.ca.
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