HINES, Benjamin Martell— 85, of Rockdale, ...

HINES, Benjamin

Martell— 85, of Rockdale, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 4, 2009, in Strait Regional Hospital. Born in Kirkland Lake, Ont. on April 8, 1924, Ben was the son of the late Alfretta Martell and Clarence Mayberry Hines. Following the early passing of Alfretta, Ben became the loving son of Lea Hines and beloved brother to Lyle (Middie), Lorraine (Ted), Russell (Liz), Eileen (Joe), Donald (Marg), Morris (Gloria) and Janie (Phillip). Ben joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1942 and proudly served as Stoker FC on the HMCS Halifax. He made 14 crossings of the North Atlantic during his service. Throughout his life he was extremely proud to have served his country. In 1945 Ben married his sweetheart Annie Sampson, with whom he recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. Together they raised three children, the late Benjamin Charles, Gregory Clarence (Marg) and Deborah Anne (Harry). Pappy was a proud grandfather to Sarah Anne (Michael) and Jeffrey Benjamin and now his first great-grandchild Felix David. Ben worked initially at INCO in Sudbury, Ont. until he moved to Toronto in 1963 where he headed up an engineering department for the Ontario Water Resources Commission. His main interest was electrical engineering and his talents in the field were reflected in his many hobbies including Ham Radio and Computers. Upon retirement in 1981, he moved to Anne's hometown of Rockdale where he was Past Master of the Masonic Lodge in St. Peter's and a long serving member of both the L'Ardoise and St. Peter's Legion. Visitation for Ben Hines was held in L'Ardoise Holy Guardian Angel Funeral Home on Monday, September 7, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and a Masonic Service was held at 7:30 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated in St. John's Anglican Church, Arichat today, September 8, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Lakeside Cemetery. Funeral arrangments are under the direction of Alex A. Morrison Funeral Home, St. Peter's.

HINES