CURRY, Harold Frederick, 91, Halifax, died peacefully on December 28, 2012 at Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Building. Born in Tongue Hill near Windsor, Nova Scotia on October 5, 1921, he was the son of the late Joseph and Jessie (Connors) Curry.
Harold graduated from Windsor Academy, and attended Dalhousie University on a scholarship. He worked at the Imperial Oil refinery in Woodside, then, after the outbreak of World War II, enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force, eventually attaining the rank of Flying Officer. He excelled at a navigation technique known as “mental dead reckoning”, and as a result became a navigation instructor at Summerside, teaching pilots from the Prairies how to find their way home over water, at night, with no roads, railway tracks or section lines to guide them.
After the war, Harold attended the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and bought a mixed dairy farm at Currys Corner, just outside of Windsor, NS. He served as President of the United Milk Producers’ Association, and in that role spearheaded the initiative for dairy farmers in south-western and central Nova Scotia to form a co-operative association and purchase Maple Leaf Dairy of Halifax.
After more than a decade of successful farming, with the associated hard physical work on the land, in the woods and in the stables, Harold moved to Halifax and began a new career as an executive. He served as the President and General Manager of the new organization, Twin Cities Co-operative Dairy, now known as Farmers Dairy, for the first twenty years of its existence (1961 – 1981). Under his leadership the company grew to be one of the largest food processors in Atlantic Canada. He put policies in place that encouraged dairy farmers to increase their production, and he believed it was the job of the processing organization to find markets for all the milk the members were willing to supply.
This resulted in a number of innovations and “firsts” for Nova Scotia, including the first commercial yogurt production, the first large-scale cheddar cheese factory, and the first Ultra-High-Temperature (UHT) pasteurization facility.
Harold was a strong man, both physically and as a leader through adversity. He enjoyed contract bridge, bowling, golf, curling, gardening, woodworking, and making wine. He gave generously of his time to many volunteer organizations, including the Rotary Club, St. John’s United Church in Windsor, and Bethany United Church in Halifax.
A dedicated husband and father, Harold took early retirement from Twin Cities to care for his beloved wife Kathleen during her final illness. In time he courted and married his old friend Beth (Thompson) and they found great happiness together.
Harold will be fondly remembered for his integrity, his generosity and commitment to supporting others, his work ethic, his love of the language and appreciation for cleverly created prose and verse, his keen mind, and his quick wit.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Thompson); sons Michael (Janice Vassallo), Ayr, Ontario; Timothy (Colleen), Quispamsis, New Brunswick; Jonathan (Janet), Halifax; grandchildren Benjamin (Sheri), Saint John; Heather (John Fogg), Harlow, England; Emily Rochford (Tomas), Mossleigh, Alberta; Sarah (Ryan Frizzell), Halifax; Marcia (Jesse Vuksanovich), Toronto; several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife Kathleen (Reynolds), brother Laurence, and brother Cyril in infancy.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be 2 -4 PM Sunday, December 30th, at J. A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax. A memorial service will be held at the same location on Monday, December 31st, at 11 AM, followed by a reception.
The family extends special thanks to the entire team on 6th floor west at Veterans Memorial Building for the outstanding care provided for Harold during his five year residency.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice. To place on-line condolences, please visit: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com .
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