One of Nova Scotia's most generous and least known philanthropists died peacefully at his home in Bedford on Tuesday, October 24th at the age of 81. Michael was the eldest member of one of Nova Scotia's most prominent families --- the Coverts --- and had a great gift for friendship. At his eightieth birthday party in 2016, for example, he was honoured by more than 100 of these friends from all walks of life. Born in Halifax on May 18, 1936, Michael was the first son and eldest child of Mary Louise “Mollie” (Covert) Covert and the late Frank Manning Covert, CM, QC, DFC, LL.D. Because his father was a “Dollar-a-Year Man” in Ottawa during the first part of World War Two, and, was, subsequently, the navigator of RCAF bombers over Germany, Michael started school in the nation's capital. Later, after the war, he attended school in Dartmouth, Halifax and Windsor where he attended King's Collegiate from 1950 to 1955. Despite undiagnosed early learning disabilities, Michael worked tirelessly to learn, to become a successful business person and to be respected by all who were lucky enough to know him.
Michael was predeceased by his parents; by his first wife, Barbara Ellen Elizabeth (Redstone); by his second wife, Carole Rene (Chandler); and by his infant sister, Mary Jane. He is survived by his son, Frank Michael Covert; by grandsons, Andrew and James Covert; by sisters, Susan Patricia and Sally Louise; and by brother, Peter Archibald Blake Covert. His late grandparents were the Hon. Walter Covert, KC, Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, and Dr. Archibald Covert, MLA, of Canning.
Since 1978, Michael was a loyal Lector and Minister of the Holy Eucharist at Saint Mary's Basilica in Halifax. He was, in recent years, the proud donor of oak and glass doors at the Basilica. He was a Knight of Columbus and a member of Halifax Council 1097. Michael was a lifelong and enthusiastic member of the Liberal Party and was an executive member of both the provincial Bedford Liberal Association and the federal Halifax West Liberal Association. Michael was also a devoted donor to and a generous director of Bridgeway Academy in Dartmouth where he was determined to help those with the same learning disabilities he endured as a boy. In honour of his beloved late wife, Michael established the Carole Rene Covert Memorial Scholarship in the Nursing School at Dalhousie University. Over the years, Michael donated tens of thousands of dollars to the QEII Foundation in memory of deceased friends. He was strong supporter of the Walter Callow Wheelchair Veterans and Invalid Welfare League in Halifax and was on the board of the foundation that runs the wheelchair service. Michael had a varied and successful business career, having started it at Colwell Brothers Men's Wear after he left school. He then worked for Encyclopedia Britannica, Atlantic Building Materials, Twin City Sand and Gravel and Superline Fuels before becoming a longtime and valued employee of Sun Life of Canada. He published The Golden Guide and, later in life, always maintained an office in Sun Towers in Bedford. A Mass of Christian Burial for Michael will be celebrated on Saturday, October 28th, at Saint Mary's Basilica on Spring Garden Road at 10 a.m. with The Very Reverend John Williams officiating. A reception will follow the funeral in the church hall. Friends and admirers of Michael are welcome to honour him at J. A. Snow Funeral Home, Lacewood Drive, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 27th. Michael was extremely grateful in life for the care he was given by Heather and Adrian Pople and their children: Kelvin, Kirsty and Kayley. He was particularly happy with the wonderful care he was given by Heather Pople. He was also grateful for the friendship and advice of his Chartered Accountants: Dennis Touesnard and the late Randall Smith. Michael was also thankful for the years of service given by his executive assistant, Jacalyn Roy. Finally, he valued his lifetime friendship with Brian Flemming, CM, QC. Interment will take place at White Point Cemetery, Queen's County. Family flowers only. Donations in Michael's memory may be made to Bridgeway Academy, the QEII Health Sciences Foundation or to a charity of choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to J. A. Snow Funeral Home www.jasnowfuneralhome.com
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