It is with great sadness that the family of Robert Lewis Parks, 82, of Lunenburg, announces his passing at home on Monday, February 27, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Bridgewater, on January 9, 1935, he was the son of the late Walton and Minnie (Nauss) Parks.

Robert was a proud “lifetime Lunenburger” who received his education at the Lunenburg Academy where he was very active in sports, music and student leadership. It was during this time that he joined the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets where he began as an ordinary cadet in 1946 and rose quickly through the ranks to 1st Lieutenant in 1959, receiving many prestigious awards before retiring in 1962.

In 1952, Robert began working at Powers Bros. Ltd, followed by a time at Nauss Bros. Ltd. until beginning his career in the retail food business at Oxner’s IGA Foodmarket in 1955. He became store manager in 1968 and part owner from 1975 until his retirement in 1992. Under his leadership, his store received considerable recognition in commercials, promotions and awards and was even featured on the popular television program “Thrill of a Lifetime”. Following his retirement, he began working with the Dept. of Fisheries as a Dockside observer which was a career he thoroughly enjoyed, retiring in 1995.

Robert was an avid promoter of the Town of Lunenburg and considered it the best place in the world to live. He felt deeply privileged to serve his community and consequently served tirelessly on many boards, committees and organizations.

The Lunenburg Fire Dept. was one such organization which received the benefit of his support from the time he joined in 1957 until retiring as fire chief in 1997 after 40 years of service. He took numerous specialized training courses and served on several committees, attending approximately 2500 fire calls and 1000 rescue/ambulance calls during his volunteer Fire Fighting career. Robert received many awards for his service including in 1997, from The Governor General of Canada, Canadian Firefighters Exemplary Service Award: 40 Year Silver Bar. In 2013 he received the prestigious “Queen Elizabeth 60th Jubilee Medal”

Serving on Town Council was another way in which Robert felt he could make a contribution to his beloved town, when he was elected in 1997 and served 11 years. During this time he was chairman of several committees and served on the board of directors for various agencies, including the Board of Directors of Lunenburg’s “Harbour View Haven” for 13 years. During that time he served as Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee.

Robert also served as an active or on call auxiliary Police Constable for many years and was a member of the Lunenburg Citizen’s band for 18 years, serving as president for 10 years. He was also a team coach, scheduler, referee and president of the Lunenburg Minor Hockey Association and was parade Chairman and a member of the band committee for the NS Fisheries Exhibition and Reunion.

Throughout all of these activities, his church, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian in Lunenburg was a constant in his life and he served it faithfully as a member and director of the senior choir, Sunday school teacher and superintendent, lay preacher, Elder, Clerk of Session and President of the St. Andrew’s Church Club.

Although Robert’s life was an active one that kept him busy, his family always came first. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of home, camping, boating on the Bess and Lee, and enjoying vacations surrounded by his family.

Robert described Lunenburg as unique; a place where one can find peace of mind and a lifestyle that is second to none. It is clear from his life of devoted service to the town that he wanted to do all he could to continue to make Lunenburg the special place to live and bring up families that he loved so deeply.

Robert is survived by his wife, the former Frances Payzant; son, Donald, Lunenburg; daughter, Jane Hall, Lunenburg; grandchildren, Chad (Marielle), Stephanie (Brad), Tyler, Brad (Joy), Justin (Christina), Crystal (Jeremy); great-grandchildren, Harrison, Evelyn, Ava, Madison, Zoe, Trinity, Brooklyn; daughter-in-law, Lillian Parks, Stephenville, NL; brother, James (Joyce), Liverpool; sister-in-law, Arlene Parks, Martin’s Brook and four nephews.

Robert was predeceased by his twin sons, Peter and Paul; son-in-law, Wayne Hall and brothers, Gerald and David.

Friends are invited to share their memories of Robert with his family during visitation on Thursday from 7-9 pm at the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213, Hwy. # 3, Lunenburg. A service to celebrate Robert’s life will be held Friday at 2:00 pm at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Lunenburg, Rev. Dr. Laurence Mawhinney, officiating. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Lunenburg.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Lunenburg, the Lunenburg Fire Department, the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.

www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca

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