Wallace Howe

It is with sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our husband, father, grandfather, and brother Wallace Howe. Wallace will be missed by his wife Dianne (born Sparkes), his daughters Clare and Sarah (Troy Mielke), granddaughter Evelyn, his brothers Robert, John, and Scott, his sisters Heather and Suzanne, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. Wally was born and raised in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia and moved to Bella Coola, BC, in high school. After graduation, Wally traveled throughout the country as a nurse before settling in Saint John, NB, where he met his wife and started his family. The family eventually relocated to Dartmouth, NS, in 2002, and he remained there for the rest of his life. Wally was a talented, intelligent, and hard-working man; here are some noteworthy characteristics we loved about him. An avid gardener: Wally was a gardener who created exquisite, vibrant, and charming gardens. His carefully tended gardens always featured various bright-coloured flowers, bird feeders, a stone path, and artwork throughout the landscape. His flowerbeds included some of his favourite plants, such as bleeding hearts, daylilies, peonies, crocuses, tulips, roses and daffodils. Gardening provided a healthy and peaceful outlet for his soul. A lifelong photographer: Since high school, Wally had been an ardent photographer. He has captured the beauty of majestic landscapes, close-ups of the natural world, intriguing vantage points of architecture, portraiture, candid street photography, and precious wedding moments. Initially using a film camera and then DSLRs, Wally was a technically skilled and artistically gifted photographer. He was talented at framing the beauty of God’s creation and composing the special moments in life. His photographs now serve as reminders of his creativity, talent, and shared memories. A fervid genealogist: Wally felt deeply connected to his forefathers and heritage. His fascination began when his father, Ken, spoke about the family’s history and emphasized the importance of knowing one’s lineage. Following in his father’s footsteps, Wally’s passion for genealogy blossomed, especially during his retirement from nursing in late 2016. His ancestral passion took him on many trips to New Brunswick, especially to the Sussex and Belle Isle area, Fredericton, and Saint John. Wally dedicated countless hours to researching, organizing, and recording family lineages. In addition to organizing and uploading numerous genealogies online, Wally edited historical portraits of family members and traveled to many cemeteries to photograph relatives' headstones. A love for hiking and camping: As a young man, Wally enjoyed exploring the coastal mountain range with his brothers and friends. His love for camping and backpacking is a testament to his upbringing in Bella Coola, BC, scouts, and his outward-bound experience. Later, Wally enjoyed camping with his wife and children. He took his family on numerous camping trips in Eastern and Western Canada and the United States. Some of his top spots were Tweedsmuir Provincial Park and Kejimkujik National Park. To this day, his daughters cherish their camping and backpacking memories as one of their top life experiences. An enthusiastic traveler: In his younger years, Wally went on a Korean mission trip and then backpacked throughout Canada, USA, Europe, and Egypt. His travels left meaningful impressions and were pivotal in shaping his life. His enthusiasm for travel was later shared with his family, where he carefully planned and organized each family trip meticulously. One such trip was in 2009, when Wally took his family to Europe for the first time. For Clare and Sarah, the European trip catalyzed their love of travel. His daughters have traveled extensively and will continue exploring the world’s beauty for years ahead. We are grateful as a family to have enjoyed Wally’s many talents and hobbies, benefited from his intriguing and thought-provoking conversations, and appreciated his steadfast work ethic. A private family burial service will be held in October. In lieu of flowers, one can donate to an organization or society that reminds them of Wally. “Till next time.”

Wallace Howe

January 14, 1957 - July 17, 2024