Obituary of Wilbert Clayton Harpell

HARPELL, Wilbert CLAYTON- age 87 of Halifax formerly of Port Bickerton NS. It is with deep sadness that the family announces the passing of their dear husband, father, grandfather and brother in the QE2 Halifax Infirmary. On December 21, 2019, Clayton was peacefully ushered into eternity to be with his personal Lord & Saviour, Jesus Christ. Born on March 9, 1932 in Fisherman’s Harbour, NS he grew up in Port Bickerton NS. Clayton began his career as a fisherman and in particular enjoyed his time sword fishing. His desire to achieve his personal goals lead him to further his education followed by a rewarding career as Captain with the Canadian Coast Guard Search & Rescue (Port Bickerton), a role he undertook with great pride, retiring after 27 years of service. His career while an important aspect of his life was secondary to his role as a husband, father, grandfather & great grandfather. He had an unshakeable faith and shared his love of God through words & everyday actions. He served in several organizations, was a member of Stoneridge Fellowship Baptist Church and was our family’s voice of reason, advisor & role model. A great storyteller, Clayton shared many aspects of his life with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, much to their entertainment & delight. Besides his wife of 67 years, Mickey (Fenton) Harpell, whom he loved dearly, Clayton is survived by his children, Donna (John Hogg), Glen (Bev Kaiser), Brad (Sharon Martin) & Janet (Tim Zinck). Grandchildren, Kimberley Hogg, Krista Hogg, Kelli (Hogg) Barclay, Amanda (Harpell) Payzant, Matthew Harpell, Justin Zinck, Candice (Zinck) Rempel; Ten great grandchildren, as well as brothers Doug, Jerry, Asa, Charlie, Isaac, John; Sisters Hilda Sherman, Florence Baker, Marjorie Yake, Carol Whitmore, Wanetta Evans, Sandra Archibald, Barbara Croft, Judy MacDonald, Cindy MacGrath as well as many in-laws, nieces and nephews. Clayton was predeceased by his father Asa; mother Rhoda (Horton); daughters Charlene and Annette; brother Stan and a number of brother and sister in-laws. The family would like to offer a special thank you to the many health care professionals at the QE2 Dialysis units for the compassion & care they provided over the past eight years as well as his family physician Dr. Raj Bhanot who provided exceptional care during Clayton’s health journey. A special thank you to Sue & TJ’s Van & Carpool Services Inc. who provided Clayton with such caring & reliable transportation to dialysis treatments each week. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, Halifax, N.S. A Funeral Service will be held on January 11th at 2pm, at the Stoneridge Fellowship Church, 85 Temple Terrace, Lower Sackville. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: tjtracey.com. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.