Thomas Kerr Guildford

Thomas Kerr Guildford died 22 May 2013 at Veterans’ Memorial Hospital.

Thomas Kerr Guildford was born at home in Bedford N.S., 12 July 1919 to Frederick Moir Guildford and Ellen (Douglas) Guildford. He was educated in Bedford and Halifax, and from 1939 to 1945 he served in the Royal Canadian Navy, much of it in corvettes on North Atlantic Convoy duty. In July 1945 he married Jean Vey Diamond of St. John’s, Newfoundland. After the war Tom took up a position with the family business, Guildfords Limited, in Sable River, Shelburne County, N.S. where he established a plant that produced insulation from eelgrass. From 1951-1953 he was based in Saint John, New Brunswick, returning permanently to Halifax following that. He later served as president and chairman of the board of Guildfords Limited, and established Navy Island Marine, Dartmouth, which manufactured fibreglass fishing and utility boats.

He was a member of St. David’s Presbyterian Church, serving for many years as a member of the Session. He was an active promoter of amateur competitive swimming, a strong proponent of the building of Centennial Pool and was the chair of the swimming events for the first Canada Games held in Halifax in 1968. He was active in Nova Scotia Voluntary Economic Planning from 1973 to 1988, and chaired the Research and Development sector, a forum where academic research scientists and engineers could meet informally with industry and entrepreneurs to effect the transfer of technology. Following his retirement he actively participated in the work of Veterans Against Nuclear Arms, also serving as president of that organization.

Tom’s greatest pleasure was found outdoors. He was an enthusiastic yachtsman, salmon fisherman and hiker, and he had a special fondness for the family cottage on Moser Island in St. Margaret’s Bay. He was predeceased by his parents and sisters Eleanor, Bobbie and Mary (McGinn) and his wife Jean. He is survived by daughters Janet and Mary, sons Doug (Don Hannah) and Peter (Peter MacKenzie); grandchildren Emily Duke (Cooper Battersby) and Peter Duke (Maya Williams) and Tommy Guildford (Jordan) and Jamie Guildford (Nicole) and great-grandchildren Lily Diamond and Gabriel Guildford, Kinley Guildford and Lucia Duke. Tom was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and an inveterate story teller.

Our thanks to the staff of 4 East at the Veterans Memorial Building for their efficient and tender care to Tom, and to Danielle Weickert for her care and friendship.

Visitation will be at Cruickshanks Funeral Home, Windsor Street, Friday 24 May from 6-8 pm. The funeral will be held Tuesday, 28 May at St. David’s Presbyterian Church, Grafton Street at 11 am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Tom’s memory to a charity of your choice. Cards may be sent to 2647 Seaforth Street, Halifax, N.S., B3L 1R1. To view or send an online condolence please visit www.cruikshsnkhalifaxfuneralhome.com