James "Glenn" Wallis, of Claremont, Nova Scotia passed away on February 24, 2016 in Springhill, Nova Scotia at the age of 76. Memories of our husband, brother, father, and grandfather will continue to keep his spirit alive.
Glenn is survived by his wife Crystal (nee Blenkhorn); children Andrew (Kelly) Wallis of Amherst, Nova Scotia, David (Susanne) Wallis of Sandy Springs, Georgia, USA and Heather (Patrick) Wallis of Calgary, Alberta; brother Ralph (Carol) Wallis of Woodstock, Ontario; and granddaughter Danica Wallis of Amherst, Nova Scotia.
Glenn was born on December 8, 1939 in Montreal, Quebec to Victor and Amy (nee Veary) Wallis. He attended Acadia University between 1960 and 1963 where he met Crystal. The young couple married and moved to Montreal where he graduated from MacDonald College in 1965 with a Bachelor of Education degree. After a few years the family returned to the Maritimes where he completed his degree in Mathematics at Acadia (1972) and began teaching. They lived in Hantsport briefly before ultimately spending 30 years in the Windsor area.
He held many occupations including firefighter, Bell telephone and public works employee, but will mostly be remembered for his career at Hantsport High School. Most of his students knew him as their Industrial Arts or ‘Shop’ teacher, but he was also involved in basketball, track and field and introduced many to model railroading and computers. He was active in the Cub and Scout movements and an avid member of many railroad clubs, including the Trecothic Creek & Windsor Railway.
In his retirement he was able to pursue his many interests including model trains, watching the Yankees and the Canadiens and ham radio, where his friends knew him by his call sign, VE1 GK.
Glenn had a unique sense of humor as those that were the subject of his many practical jokes will confirm. He found any electronic gadget that flashed or beeped interesting, and enjoyed a passion for tractors that lasted over 45 years.
In 2008 Glenn and Crystal moved to Claremont to enjoy their golden years in the country near their only grandchild. On June 26th, 2015 they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Up to his final day Glenn could be seen tending his property and enjoying a campfire.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the A H Brown Funeral Home, 5 McFarlane Street, Springhill, (902 597 2361). A "Celebration of Life" will be planned for the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Hope for Wildlife are greatly appreciated.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Glenn's online memorial at www.brownsfuneralhome.com or through the funeral home Facebook Page.