Obituary of William Martin Schwartz, Halifax, New Waterford

Martin Schwartz

Halifax / New Waterford

 

It is with great sadness that the family of William Martin Schwartz announces his passing, with his family beside him, at Northwood Ivany at Bedford after a brief illness, on Sunday, December 31, 2017, at the age of 96 years.

He was born in Tanjore, Tamil Nadu, India. Martin was a life long learner and educator. He started his teaching career in India. At the age of 32 he took his young family to Ethiopia where he taught for 14 years.

Martin came to New Waterford in 1967 with his family and taught at Central High School. When, in 1970, Breton Education Centre was opened, he was appointed head of the science department and offered and conducted a superlative science program there.

He received many distinguished awards for his contributions to the scientific arenas—three Shell Merit Fellowships. The Queen’s Silver and Diamond Jubilee medals, the Domtar Chemical Teaching Award from the Chemical Institute of Canada. He was the first recipient of the coveted APICS—Northern Telecom Science Teaching Award in 1985.

After his retirement in 1987, He became the science volunteer at the Joy Program at Mount Carmel Elementary School in New Waterford, a special program where he enjoyed teaching science to the elementary students.

He contributed to a weekly column, “Science for Fun”, in the Community Press and led a community science fun club for grade 4-6 students.

His other passion was his church. He was an elder of the Calvin United Church, a member of their choir, and their supply organist. He was a board member of the Maple Hill Manor and volunteered his musical ministry there. He also was a member of the Rotary Club. Martin taught piano lessons to several children and was thrilled when his former students came to visit him.

Martin is survived by his loving sons, Sam (Jesslyn Dalton), Danny (Esther), Luke and Paul (Sandra), as well as his five beloved granddaughters, Janna Humphries (Bryan), Leela, Neela, Rachael (Dylan Wells) and Margaret and three great grandchildren Ellie, Ben and Samara.

He leaves behind brother, Paul Charles and sister, Felica Devashayam.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife Ida and parents, Rev. G. P. and Kirubai Williams, brothers, Michael and Alfred and sister, Mary Abraham.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 3, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 4 at 11 a.m. at Calvin United Church with Rev. Duncan Roach officiating. A luncheon will follow in the Rev. Duncan Roach Fellowship Room at Calvin United Church, New Waterford. Burial will be held in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to charity of your choice.

Special thank you to the staff at Northwood Ivany Place, Bedford, NS.

Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.