It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Carl Osborne Demings, age 94, of Springhill, NS. Carl passed away at his home peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, January 8, 2016.
Born in River Philip, NS, he was a son of the late Guy and Hattie (Stonehouse) Demings.
Carl graduated from Springhill High and continued his education and training in surveying, engineering, project management, resource management and remote sensing at the University of Maine, where he also taught Mine and Engineering Surveying for a period of time. During World War II he was a flight instructor, stationed in western Canada.
He began his working career with the Cumberland Railway and Coal Company as a mine surveyor, draftsman and overman then moved to the federal government, surveying and constructing dykes and large tidal structures with the Maritime Marshland Rehabilitation Administration and as Operations Coordinator for the Canada Land Inventory program in the Maritimes. He completed his working career as Manager of Planning and Engineering for the Maritime Resource Management Service Inc. and Coordinator of remote sensing programs in Atlantic Canada.
In his spare time, Carl was active in civic and church affairs, photography, history, genealogy, lapidary, writing and computer technology. These passions continued into his retirement where he was a founding member of the Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia and Past Presidents of the Springhill Heritage Group and North Cumberland Historical Society, past president and a Paul Harris Fellow of the Springhill Rotary Club, all the while thoroughly enjoying time with his grand and great-grand children.
Carl is survived by daughter, Marjorie (Rev. Maynard) Rector, Florenceville, NB; sons, Alan (Lavona), Port Howe, NS, Jeremy (Carolyn), Springhill; five grandchildren, Andrew, Jeff, Keith, Karla and Máiri; seven great grandchildren; brother Alton (Joan), New Minas, NS; sister Beryl Chipman, Hantsport, NS, Evelyn (Robert) Walsh, Windsor, NS, Shirley Starratt, Leduc, AB; several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife Jean (Nelson); brothers Ronald, Fraser; sister Dorothy Porter.
Arrangements have been entrusted to A H Brown Funeral Home, 5 McFarlane Street, Springhill, (902 597 2361). Cremation has taken place. The funeral service will take place at the funeral home on Thursday, January 14, 2016 at 2 pm, Rev. Wayne McCarther officiating. Burial will take place in the Hillside Cemetery in the spring.
Those wishing to make a donation in Carl's memory may do so to the charity of your choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Carl's online memorial at www.brownsfuneralhome.com or through the funeral home Facebook page.