Robert H. N. Blois

Age 93, of Halifax, passed away at home on the 13th day of February, 2014. He was the son of the late Ernest H. Blois and Jennie B. (MacMillan) Blois. Born in Halifax, he attended LeMarchant Street School and Halifax County Academy. He graduated from Dalhousie University in 1942 with a B.Comm. While attending Dalhousie, he played on the hockey and badminton team and was elected President of the Dalhousie Amateur Athletic Club.

Bob enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces in May of 1942, and after attending Brockville Officers Training School was commissioned as a Second-Lieutenant. He then attended A-23 Training Centre in Halifax and qualified as a Lieutenant in the Coastal Artillery after which he served in various coastal batteries in Nova Scotia and Labrador. He later qualified as a Field Artillery Officer at Petawawa, Ontario.

After the war, Bob attended Dalhousie Law School and graduated in 1948 with a LL.B. He entered into the practice of law at Pazant and Coffin. In 1962, Bob and his classmate, Bruce Nickerson, Q.C. formed the Halifax law firm of Blois Nickerson subsequently known as Blois Nickerson and Bryson. He continued to practice law for over 50 years. He was appointed to Queen’s Counsel in 1965, and later was President of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society in 1975. Bob later served as chairman of the Canadian Bar Association, Nova Scotia Division, in 1976.

Bob was a former chairman of the Board of Stewards for St. Andrew’s United Church and served for many years as a member of the Board of Trustees.

Bob was involved in the planning appeal process and served as the first and only chairman of the Provincial Planning Appeal Board from 1970-1982. Subsequently, he served as chairman of the Nova Scotia Municipal Board for 5 years.

After moving to Bedford, Bob acted as counsel to the law firm of Blackburn English until his retirement in 2002.

Bob will be sadly missed by his wife, Shirley (MacLean), Bedford; daughters: Linda Landry, Bedford, and Nancy (Chuck) Giles, Murfreesboro; grandchildren: Carolyn Landry (Mervin Atmosfera), Toronto, Kathryn Landry, Bedford, and Alex, Nicholas, and Sophie Giles, Murfreesboro; niece: Patricia Buchanon, Mequon. He was predeceased by brother, Ernest M. Blois and sister, Elfreda Laurence.

Bob was a former member of Ashburn Golf Club and was a member of Waegwaltic Club for over seventy years. He greatly enjoyed playing tennis at the Waeg, the South End Tennis Club, and Air Atlantic. Bridge became a substitute for athletics when he could no longer play golf and tennis.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service for Robert will be held on Tuesday, February 25, 2014, at 2:00 pm at Bedford United Church, 1200 Bedford Highway. By request, family flowers only.