Anthony David Croft

Croft, Anthony David – 86, of Dartmouth passed away on September 27, 2013 in Halifax. Born in Sonora, he was the son of Howard and Bessie (Fernandez) Croft. He was a seaman most of his life, working on a lobster boat out of Sonora, Guysborough County. He joined the Merchant Navy for a short time in 1943, in March he joined the Canadian Armed Forces, Army. After being discharged from the Army, then worked for HMS Dockyard for two years, returning back to sea on the government vessel Lady Laurier where he stayed as seaman and worked his way up the ranks to get his Masters Certificate. From then on he served on various vessels working in the North for several years as Chief Officer, 2nd Officer and in 1964 went Master on the CCGS AUK which he took up North. He was then transferred to the Great Lakes as Master on the CCGS Grenville and after one and a half years was transferred to Saint John, New Brunswick as Master on the CCGS Thomas Carleton. Two years later he was transferred back to Dartmouth as Master on various CCG Ships. October 1968 he joined the Halifax Pilots (Atlantic Pilotage Authority) where he spent the next 14 years as Master. After retiring from the Pilots he worked five winters as an Ice Advisor on various foreign vessels sailing from Halifax, Newfoundland, through the Cabot Strait and the Saint Lawrence River, Seven Islands Quebec, Montreal etc. He was predeceased by his father, mother, brother Percy and sisters Jane and Annie. Remaining family includes brother Clarence Croft and several nieces and nephews. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Marie Agnes (Lohnes) Croft, daughter Diane Croft and son Tony Croft, predeceased by son David Croft. Dad enjoyed his many years volunteering at agencies including the IWK hospital, Red Cross and Kiwanis, Feed the Children program at a local school. Dad was the heart and strength of our family. We are forever grateful for the joy and laughter Dad brought to our lives. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Cremation has taken place, visitation will be 2-4 pm only Wednesday, October 2, 2013, with a memorial service 1 pm Thursday, October 3, both in A. L. Mattatall Funeral Home 217 Portland Street, Rev. Steven Croft Officiating. Burial in Dartmouth Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be viewed or sent to: www.mattatallfuneralhome.com