Paul Balcom

Age 82, died peacefully on July 27, 2015, in the Palliative Care Unit of the VG Site, QEII, with his loving wife of 59 years by his side. He was a son of the late Clarence and Hazel (Boutilier) Balcom.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Marie (McGuire); children, Lynn Hamilton, Michael (Sandy) and Nancy; grandchildren, Christopher (Megan), Cory (Michelle), Jacob Hamilton, Laura and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his stepmother, Carrie; brothers, Ed and Don; sister Joyce, and grandson, Thomas Andrew Hamilton.

Born and raised in Dartmouth, Paul spent many happy summers during his youth with his Aunt in Musquodoboit Harbour. Paul graduated from Dalhousie University and Nova Scotia Technical College with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He began his career in the Canadian Army. After leaving the Army, Paul lived and worked in Charlottetown, St. John, Moncton and Halifax, before operating his own successful business in Dartmouth.

He was a proud and longstanding member of the Rotary Club of Halifax Northwest, receiving the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. Paul enjoyed spending time at his cottage which he designed and built himself, along with help from family and many friends. After his retirement in 1996, Paul and Joan Marie enjoyed yearly trips to Barbados and Florida. Paul enjoyed making wine, planting and tending to his vegetable garden at the cottage and spending time with family and friends.

A service to celebrate Paul’s life will be held on Thursday, July 30 at 3:30 pm in Rockingham United Church, with Rev. Debbie Aitken officiating. A reception will follow in the church hall. The family would like to thank Dr. Andrea Kew and Rebekah Conlon RN of Hematology, as well as the Palliative Care team at the QEII for providing such excellent care to Paul and family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the QEII Health Sciences Centre Foundation – Palliative Care, IWK Health Centre Foundation – Mental Health, or a charity of your choosing.