Rev. Dr. Donald Edward Fairfax

Fairfax, Rev. Dr. Donald Edward CM, DD – 90, passed away suddenly, Friday August 6, 2010 at the Dartmouth General Hospital. He was born in the community of Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia on August 22, 1919. His birth mother was the late Rita Mae Beals and he was the adopted son of the late Charles and Martha (Spriggs) Fairfax. In 1941, he became a baptized believer at Cornwallis Street Baptist Church. The African United Baptist Association was made aware of his interest in wanting to enter the Christian ministry, tutors were secured by the Association and soon he was ready to enter Horton Academy in Wolfville in the fall of 1941. On August 30, 1950 he married Marjorie Joan (Tynes) Fairfax of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia at Victoria Road United Baptist Church. Together they were blessed with six children (four daughters and two sons). He was a widely acclaimed Concert Artist. His rich baritone voice won him many trophies and honours in many parts of Canada and the United States. In 1943, he entered the Halifax Conservatory of Music in the Voice Department. He studied and taught voice and graduated in June 1953. In February, 1954, while employed at the Nelson Whynder School in North Preston as Principal, he was selected to spend time in the United States to study the educational system in several black schools and colleges. This trip included visits to more than ten states including New York, Louisiana and Alabama. This educational experience was sponsored by the Nova Scotia Department of Education, Adult Education Division. He was the first appointed Moderator of the African United Baptist Association of Nova Scotia in 1956, serving a two year term until 1958. He has also served as Moderator from 1971-72 and 1979-80. At the time of his death he served the Association as Senior Councillor. He was the Pastor of the Victoria Road United Baptist Church, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia from 1947-1997. One of the many achievements in this congregation was the burning of a $100,000 mortgage in December, 1980. He retired in December of 1997 after fifty-one years of service. He was the pastor of the Lucasville United Baptist Church, Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, for 31 years. Many achievements were also realized in this congregation including the burning of two mortgages. He also served other congregations in the area when he was needed. He was employed at the Nova Scotia Hospital, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia for twenty-five years, retiring in 1985. He gave religious instruction at the Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children for twenty-six years and served as the first black President of the Board of Directors for the Home. On October 24, 1985, the Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children dedicated the Rev. D. E. Fairfax Chapel in honour of his involvement in the work of the home for more than thirty years. He has served on many boards and committees some of which include: The Children’s Aid Society of Nova Scotia for two consecutive terms; Commissioner for Nova Scotia Legal Aid for seventeen years; The Dartmouth Pre-School Association, that had its beginnings in Victoria Road United Baptist Church; The first chairperson of the Artifacts Committee of the Black Cultural Society of Nova Scotia; The Revitalization Committee for the City of Dartmouth; The Board of Directors of the Black United Front of Nova Scotia; The Affirmative Action Committee of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission; The Board of Directors of the Nova Scotia Mental Health Association; He has also been involved with the Metro Food Bank since its inception. He was inducted into the Black Wall of Fame for his religious leadership in the community at the fourth annual Black Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Mount Saint Vincent University, August 7, 1981. In 1989, He was awarded the Ronald Stafford Memorial Award by the Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers for his outstanding community and social advocacy work in the City of Dartmouth and the Province of Nova Scotia. On December 24, 1990, He was appointed to the Order of Canada; the highest honour awarded a Canadian citizen. In 1995, an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Acadia University. In 2002, he was awarded The Queens Golden Jubilee Medal. The Victoria Road United Baptist Church bestowed the honour of Minister Emeritus upon him in September 2002. In 2007 he received honorary Doctor of Law by Saint Mary’s University. He was predeceased by brothers: Hilton (Buddy), Freeman and Aubrey Ross, Dartmouth. He is survived by sisters: Florence Sparks, Cherry Brook, Joan Ross, Halifax, Benvie Madden, Vancouver, and Mona Beals, Ontario; wife, Marjorie; children: Elizabeth Thomas (Donald), Atlanta Ga., Donald Edward Fairfax Jr. Dartmouth, Paula Patricia Fairfax (Erling Neilson), Toronto, David Isaac Fairfax (Joanne), Somerset, Myra Joan Fairfax (Ed Brown), Halifax, Andrew Perry, Halifax, Lois Naomi Fairfax (Michael), Toronto; Grandchildren: Miessha (Thomas) Stennis, Jeni Thomas, Natalie-Anne Fairfax, Amanda Fairfax, Andrea Fairfax, Ashley Fairfax, Jackson Fairfax- Perry, Alana Fairfax, Meelo Fairfax-Angod, Gillian Garland-Fairfax and Micha Fairfax-Angod. Great grandchild: Nakeith Fairfax, Madison Steenis. Visitation will take place at A. L. Mattatall Funeral Home Tuesday, August 10 from 2-4 & 6-8 and Wednesday, August 11 from 2-4. There will a Men’s Brotherhood Homecoming Memorial Service at 7 PM Wednesday at Victoria Road United Baptist Church. Funeral service will take place on Thursday August 11, at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church on the corner of Victoria Road and Ochterloney Street in Dartmouth. Rev. Cheryl Ann Beals officiating. Interment will be in the Christ Church Cemetery following the service. Family Flowers only. Donations in his memory to the Marjorie J. Fairfax Scholarship Fund for Music or the Victoria Road United Baptist Church Food Bank. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.mattatallfuneralhome.com