Truman Layton was born on November 26, 1931, in Great Village, Nova Scotia the youngest child of Florence Agnes (nee Chisholm) Layton of Five Islands and Max MacDonald Layton.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Vivian (nee Thomson) Layton, three children, Margaret (Blaine) Dumkee of Whitehorse; Brian (Paula) Layton of Halifax; Kate Thomson (Ron Kent) of Antigonish, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother, Paul Layton in 1944, and his sister Ethel (Jack) Cuthiell in 2008.
Truman completed his early schooling in rural Nova Scotia earned his B.Sc. ’52 and M.Sc. ’53 (Chemistry) Mount Allison University, B.Ed. ’57 Dalhousie University and M.Ed. ’72 University of London. He worked briefly for the Fisheries Department in Halifax before teaching at Halifax West High School where he taught sciences and where he met Vivian who taught math.
They were married in Halifax on June 30, 1960, and moved to Sackville, New Brunswick where he taught chemistry at Mount Allison. It was here that Truman and Vivian started their family, built their first home, and made friendships that last to this day.
In 1966, Truman began teaching at Teachers College and built a second family home. 1975 saw a move to Halifax and Truman became the Science Consultant for the NS Department of Education. Truman retired early, in 1987, to explore other aspects of work and spent several years writing science texts and courses and later, fiction, and taught in Tapanui, New Zealand and at Acadia University.
Truman and Vivian travelled extensively. They frequently returned to England to travel by canal boats and explore the history and enjoy the West End of London. They also explored other parts of Europe, spent six-months travelling around the world, and visited their children across Canada.
Besides writing, Truman was an avid carpenter and woke the family up many Saturday mornings to the sound of his table saw and pounded nails in the afternoon to CBC’s Saturday at the Opera as he built furniture, finished basements in the homes they built, and renovated their home on Henry Street. He enjoyed many canoe/camping trips to Suzie Lake and appreciated them most when accompanied by his son and grandsons and long-time friends. He started skiing at Wentworth when there was only a rope tow and he and Vivian skied Canadian and European mountains for over 50 years. And when many his age might find a comfortable armchair, Truman hiked many of the Munros in Scotland with friends. The United Church was always a guiding light for Truman; he gave his knowledge and expertise to committees and projects over many years, and he led Scout troops for over 20 years.
Alzheimer’s took most of Truman’s early memories over recent years, and then progressed to take almost all by the end. Even with few memories of previous visits, he continued to enjoy drives around Nova Scotia and cherished visits with friends and his family.
The family is grateful to the many friends who supported Truman to live well throughout his life. And to the medical and support staff of the QE II Health Centre who cared for him at the end.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of Blue Mountain Birch Cove Lake Society (www.bluemountainfriends.ca).
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service is planned for 10am Saturday, December 10th at J.A Snow Funeral Chapel, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax.
A family gathering will be held later in Mahon Cemetery, Great Village, where a marker will be placed amongst the family monuments.
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