Henry Alexander Chisholm, 81, of Bedford, Nova Scotia, passed away at his home on July 13, 2024. He was born to parents Henry and Eva (Flynn) Chisholm, on August 13, 1942, in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. He grew up in Ogden, Guysborough County, as the youngest sibling to sister Anna and brother Charlie.

After moving to Halifax as a young adult, he worked in the home heating trade and became a skilled and multi-talented handyman. He was a hard worker who was always interested in learning new things. He had a love of woodworking and taught himself to build cabinetry and furniture. He was a good provider and gave his family a solid roof over their heads that he built himself on evenings and weekends. In his spare time, he was always willing to use his skills to help family, friends and neighbours with repairs and projects.

He eventually became a small business entrepreneur and started two different companies. When his first business closed after several decades, he decided that his early 60’s was a great age to launch another business. He managed his second company until his mid-seventies, long after he could have retired. He took pride in being a stubborn goat who would never give up.

After growing up with few luxuries, he spent his life being generous and giving of what he had to friends, family, and those in need. One of his favorite activities was hosting social gatherings of all kinds, from dinner parties to rec-room parties, and eventually his annual summer deck parties. It was a common sight for him to be at the counter all day shelling lobster or standing over a grill cooking ten pounds of bacon for breakfast – both of which would be served with white bread and butter, not margarine. He was a lifelong supporter of local charities that helped both people and dogs. Along with road trips and RV life, he and his former partner Diana dedicated their generosity and love of people to organizing a successful fundraising event for cancer, at the local pub where they had met.

Though he spent his working years in the Halifax area, his heart was always in Boylston, close to the water. For many years he travelled back and forth on summer weekends to visit with his extended family and long-time friends. His most recent goal was to move back to the place he loved the most, but he sadly didn’t get to fulfill that wish. If he had, his final home would certainly have had a large deck for friends and family to gather and talk about the happenings, cold drinks in the cooler for anyone who stopped in, and maybe someone playing a guitar.

He is survived by his daughters Tracy Chisholm and Jenny Reichert, son-in-law Todd Reichert, former wife and lifelong friend Nancy Chisholm, sister Anna Connolly and two grandsons Milo and Jack, who adored their Pop Pop greatly. He was fortunate to have many nieces, nephews, friends, neighbours and colleagues who loved and respected him. He was predeceased by parents Henry and Eva, brother Charlie, former partner Diana Kearley, and their beloved dog Bentley.

He will truly be missed.

A celebration of life will be held on August 10th, 3-6pm at his home (522 Rocky Lake Drive). In lieu of flowers, his family requests that people donate to a local charity in Henry’s name or share a story on his online memorial page. If they feel inclined, they can invite a friend to sit outside on a warm summer evening and have a good chat.