Parker, Donald Lloyd – Age 69, Hilden and recently Debert Court, passed away February 18, 2016. Don was a son of Mildred (Thompson) Parker, Hantsport, and the late Victor Parker, and grew up in Ardoise. A graduate of the Nova Scotia Land Survey Institute, as a young man Don worked as a Land Surveyor for various companies. He worked for 28 years as Manager, Registrar of Crown Lands and Registrar of Land Holdings, at Provincial Crown Lands Record Centre, Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, Halifax. For a two-year secondment (1998-2000) Don was Manager, Northern Region, Land Information Services, Nova Scotia Department of Housing and Municipal Affairs, New Glasgow.
Professional qualifications included Nova Scotia Land Surveyor, Canada Land Surveyor and Commissioner of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. Additional training included Dale Carnegie, Prospecting and Geology, Tidal Boundaries, Global Positioning, Nova Scotia Black Belt Association (Orange), National Coaching Certification. In 1984-85, Don was President of the Association of Nova Scotia Land Surveyors. Don was a member of St. James Presbyterian Church, Truro, since 1973, where he was Elder for twelve years, a Bethel Series leader, on the Christian Education Commission and on the Board of Managers. He was a member of the Shubenacadie Canal Commission.
Don's interests were varied: he belonged to New England Antiquities Research Association, Nova Scotia Muzzle Loading Association, St. Mary's Archers Association, Truro Carvers and Taoist T'ai Chi. For a few years Don put on fireworks displays for Fireworks FX Inc. Don was known for his sense of humour and ability to talk to anyone on any topic. He had an inquisitive mind and read extensively on topics such as history, religion, architecture, war, pyrotechnics, firearms, explosives, rocks and minerals, maps, feng shui, judo, karate, aikado, t'ai chi, antiquity, creativity, mental fitness, watercolours, carving and woodworking.
Don and Gloria enjoyed winter getaways to Costa Rica, the Caribbean and Florida, exploring the Maritimes, fitness programs and daily trail walks together. Don loved his family and will be greatly missed by Gloria, his spouse of 47 years; son, Troy, Toronto; daughters, Robyn, Whitehorse; Kelsi, Hilden; sister, Charlene (Victor) Day, Halifax; brother, David, Ardoise; mother-in-law, Edith MacInnis, Debert; nieces, Laura and Shauna; nephews, Christopher and Martin; great nephews, Hunter and Colton. Don was predeceased by his father; and nephew, Morgan Parker.
Special thanks to Chantal Bishop, and to the staff of Debert Court for your kindness to Don.
Visitation will be in St. James Presbyterian Church, Truro, on Thursday, 4-6 p.m. and Friday, 12:30-1 p.m., where a celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m., with Rev. Dr. David Sutherland officiating. Spring burial will be in Hilden Cemetery. Family flowers only. Memorial gifts may be made to St. James Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Arimathea Funeral Cooperative, Upper Musquodoboit.