Obituary of Herbert Lorne Head

It is with broken hearts that we announce that Herbert Lorne Head passed peacefully away at his home in Halifax, NS, surrounded by his loving family on Friday, December 11th, 2020 at the age of 74. Herb grew up in the small community of Terra Nova, NL. He cherished his childhood there and his love for the town he grew up in stayed with him through the years. He enjoyed spending time at his home there at every opportunity and could usually be found sitting in his swing on the back porch listening to his favorite classic country music. Herb’s career started with teaching positions in Beaumont, Caplin Cove and Hodge’s Cove, NL followed by a long career with the Government of NL. Sports was a huge part of Herb’s life. He was an expert badminton player, a member of the Fieldians baseball team and the Mount Pearl Softball League. What he loved most of all was playing hockey in various leagues including the NAPE Hockey League. Herb was an avid fan of the Habs with unwavering support even during their darkest moments which really was a testament to how loyal Herb was as a person. He wore his Canadiens hat proudly despite often being teased for doing so. Herb enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. He didn’t need anything fancy. Give him a newspaper and a Twinkie and he was happy. You only had to meet Herb once to know what a kind, compassionate and gentle man that he was. Above all, Herb loved his family who were his number one priority. His greatest achievement was being a Dad. The bond that he had with his daughter Hilary was unbreakable. He devoted his life to her even uprooting from his home in NL to move to NS when Hilary settled there and started a family. He fiercely loved his two granddaughters, Rylee Kate and Emma Jane who in turn cherished their beloved Poppy. Herb was predeceased by his parents John and Ina Head and by his three siblings Dave Head, Betty Buckley and Daphne Tricco. He leaves to mourn his loving wife of 48 years Carol and his precious daughter Hilary, son-in-law Geoff White and the lights of his life, his two granddaughters Rylee Kate and Emma Jane. Also leaving to mourn his brother Robert Head (Helen), sisters Margaret Dawe (Gerald), Jacqueline Oikawa (Ken) and Janice Ferrante (Mike) and sister-in-law Jeannette Head. In addition, he leaves behind his sisters-in-law Jessie Hollett, Mildred Cousens and Lynn Gillard (Dave) and his brothers-in-law Eldon Drodge, Glenn Drodge (Janice), and Fred Benson (Mary) as well as a large circle of extended family members and special friends Gary and Karen Jones. We would like to send out a special thank you to Herb’s medical team at The QEII Health Sciences Centre who cared for him throughout his illness, the VON and the palliative care team for providing excellent home palliative care in his final weeks and the exceptional support provided to us by the pharmaceutical staff at the Bayer’s Lake Superstore. Due to COVID restrictions, a celebration of Herb’s life will occur at a future date. Donations in his memory can be made to the SPCA or Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority through Canadahelps.ca.