Corbett, James Ronald “Ronnie”-86 of Halifax, formerly of Port Hawkesbury, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 26th, 2010 at the Veterans Memorial Hospital after a long illness. Born in Havre Boucher, Antigonish Co. NS, he was the son of the late Edward M. and Isabel (Gillis) Corbett. Although never a fisherman, his life revolved around ships and the sea. A WWII Naval Veteran of the Battle of the North Atlantic, he served briefly on HMCS Niobe and then more than three years on the Flower Class Corvette, HMCS Bittersweet. While on HMCS Bittersweet, he made 18 round trips across the North Atlantic with the Convoys. He worked just after the war on the ferry (Scotia), which ran between the Mainland and Cape Breton. With the opening of the Canso Causeway, he joined the Public Service of Canada at Canso Lock and was always proud to point out that it could handle much larger ships than the Seaway. He served at the ‘Causeway’ for 44 years. Ronnie was honoured with a lifetime membership at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 43, Port Hawkesbury. His involvement with the Legion through the years was very important to him. His signature trait was the empathy he showed his comrades and to all who passed through his life…as he liked to say, a true small "L" liberal. Ronnie was first and foremost a loving family man and will be sorely missed by everyone. He was famous throughout his community for his whistling, singing (Yellow Bird), walking, good humour and razor sharp Irish wit, which he loved to exercise at Coffee Club. He loved to stay in touch with people from all the neighbourhoods he lived in. Very well read, he loved to quote poetry from his very early school days. He was a student of the political scene and human nature and always enjoyed a good political discussion, always ready with a comeback. A lifelong Montreal Canadians fan, he loved to torment anyone who wasn't. He is survived by his loyal loving, supportive wife, soul mate and dance partner of 62 years Agnes(Chisholm), sons Patrick, Halifax and Roderick (Lynn), Edmonton; daughter Claudine Corbett (Jose) Lourenco, Edmonton; grandchildren Keith (Shayleen) Sampson, Calgary; Jacquelyn (David) Cyr, Toronto; Melissa Corbett (Michael) Robinson, Spry Bay NS; Jose Lourenco, Toronto; James Lourenco, Toronto; Michaela (Adam) Wier, Halifax; Great-Grandchildren Declan and Rylan Sampson, Calgary; Eric Robinson, Spry Bay; and Ewan Cyr, Toronto. He was predeceased by his firstborn daughter Ronalda. As the last surviving member of his family, he was pre-deceased by brother John and sisters Emily Ryan, Hazel Power, Imelda Fougere, Kaye Sparks, Ernesta Bezanson and two infant siblings. Thanks are extended to all the nieces, nephews and friends who spent so much time with Ronnie during his illness. Thanks also go to the caring nurses and LPNs at V5 West Garrison, Camp Hill Hospital who gave him so much comfort during this difficult time. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, 7-9 p.m. with a vigil service at 7 p.m. and a Legion service 7:30 p.m. all in the Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. Funeral Mass will be held in St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, 10 a.m. with Father Andrew Boyd officiating. The family wishes to thank John Langley at Haverstock’s. Family flowers only, please. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com Ronnie wanted this remembrance for the comrades left behind, who were never far from his thoughts. Sailors Prayer: On all the oceans, the white caps flow They have no crosses row on row But they who sleep beneath the sea Sleep in Peace for our countries free (We will remember them) Service Information Service Date Thursday, September 30, 2010