Obituary of Corwin Allen Hirtle

HIRTLE, Corwin Allen - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of Corwin Allen Hirtle, age 77, on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at a time of his own choosing. Corwin was born in Bridgewater to the late Ralph and Mildred (Robar) Hirtle, on April 17, 1947.

Corwin’s first job, in the early 1960s, was at Ron Russell’s Drive-through. He loved French Fries all his life! Corwin studied electronics at NSIT (1966-67) and was employed by (NCR) National Cash Register from 1967-to 1974. He worked at Michelin Tire in Bridgewater from 1974-78 and hated shift work. He remembered his three years as a Fisheries Observer very fondly and often spoke of the time he had the privilege of laying cables on Sable Island. He occasionally had an opportunity to use his smattering of languages acquired in his position as a Fisheries Observer. Corwin worked as a bookmobile driver for the South Shore Regional Library. He thought of his borrowers as friends. Later, he was the Supervisor of Vehicles from 1981 to 1996. One of his co-workers jokingly called him an S.o.V.

Corwin and his wife, Rose-Marie, volunteered in an education project in Mizque, Bolivia, 1996-1998, that won an award at a South American Exposition. Gaffes in Spanish were hilarious. Corwin returned to the South Shore Libraries and retired in 2005. His library co-workers often referred to Corwin’s curmudgeonly sense of humour and his chuckles. He loved cars, particularly convertibles, and he could name every car he ever owned. He had a special affection for their habanero orange, convertible VW Beetle. Corwin and his wife enjoyed years of camping and remained friends with many of the Seabreeze campers.  Corwin and Rose-Marie learned to play the ukulele and belonged to the South Shore Ukulele Players and the Katz Pyjamas bands for 14 years. Corwin loved classical music that often brought him to tears. He had a beautiful tenor voice and occasionally charmed the people in the nursing homes with his rendition of ‘Blue Hawaii’ and ‘Yes, Sir, That’s My Baby’. He was a self-taught chef and treated his wife to many special dishes.

Corwin is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Rose-Marie Lohnes; daughter, Alana Hirtle; step-daughters, Krista Mallory (Marc Trottier) and Toni (Jody) Pollmann; step-granddaughter, Mallory (Tony Drolet), and four step-great-grandsons; sister-in-law, Debbie Hirtle; nephew, Reece Hirtle (Ashley Oliver); sister, and brother-in-law, Sandra (Joe) Rogerson, and their children; sister-in-law, Joanne Lohnes; as well as many nieces, nephew, and cousins. Corwin was predeceased by his brother, Robert Hirtle; brother-in-law, John Lohnes; sister and brother-in-law, Shirley (Debney) Oickle, plus a number of aunts and other relatives.

Cremation has taken place and Corwin will be laid to rest at the columbarium in the Brookside Cemetery, Bridgewater. There will be no visitation. A public “Gathering” to share stories and condolences will be held in the Pleasantville & District Fire Hall, with food and entertainment, on Sunday, August 18^th, from 2-4 p.m. Corwin requested that everyone wear bright clothing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the VON, Palliative Care, Red Cross, or any charity of your choice.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater, where online condolences and donations may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.

“Don’t Cry Because it’s Over - Smile Because it Happened”.