Obituary of Earl Keith McNabb

McNabb (WO-Ret’ d) Earl Keith McNabb - Age 82, of Church Lake, Newburne. Lunenburg County, died peacefully on Monday, April 7^th at home with his family by his side.

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Earl Keith McNabb. Earl was born in St. Stephen, New Brunswick on September 28^th, 1942. Earl was the son of the late Earl Kitchener and Julia (Caldwell) McNabb.

The family moved to St. Andrew's, New Brunswick when Earl was of pre-school age. He attended Prince Arthur Elementary and Vincent Massey High School. It was his years spent at Vincent Massey where Earl excelled as the youngest high school goaltender.

As a teenager Earl also played goal for the St. Andrew's Senator’s, this is when he was scouted by the Toronto Maple Leaf’s organization. He declined their offer and began his career in the Canadian Armed Forces (Army Branch) this did not end his hockey career, as he continued to play competitive hockey on numerous military teams Canada wide. Hockey was his passion, and he was a die-hard Toronto Maple Leaf’s fan.

Early in Earls’ career he married the love of his life, Carole. They spent many years together travelling the world. They spent their youngest child Jeff’s early years in Germany where they spent three years at base NORTHAG. They made great friendships that they maintained throughout their lives.

They then were stationed at CFB Debert in Nova Scotia for five years where they welcomed their daughter Heather. After this posting they were off to CFB Chilliwack British Columbia. After five years there they were stationed at CFB CAZP in Ontario for two years and it was at the end of these two years that he was deployed to Egypt for six months. Once returning home to Canada he spent two more years CFB CAZP then the family was off to CFB Cornwallis, Nova Scotia for another five years. This posting was the family’s favorite as they made many lifelong friends and unforgettable memories. His last post was to CFB Halifax where one year after Earl retired back home to St. Andrew's, New Brunswick.

It was then that Earl and Carole purchased a Bed and Breakfast (The McNabb House) in downtown St. Andrew's. They were Innkeepers for seven wonderful years. At that time Earl decided it was time to go back to work, he joined Service New Brunswick and within ten years he became Manager of three Service New Brunswick offices within Charlotte County.

He retired again in 1994 to move to Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia where he and Carole purchased a rental property in West Northfield with their daughter. Earl put his management skills to good use as he took care of his grandsons. He was a caregiver for serval years after school. Earl’s family always came first and there wasn’t a problem he couldn’t help them solve.

Hockey may have been his passion, but his family was always his priority, and he loved them with all his heart. Earl was also a faithful follower of the United Church of Canada serving as clerk of session in three Churches over a time frame of twenty years. This was something he took great pride in. 

Surviving is his wife of 63 years, Evelyn Carole (MacNichol) McNabb; daughter, Heather (Chad) Publicover, Newburne; grandchildren, Colby Rice (Jessica) Northfield; Joshua Rice (Erika) Wentzell Lake; Jordan Publicover (Emma) Newburne; great-grandchildren, Antoine McCarthy, Northfield; Audrey Rice, Wentzell Lake; David Rice, Northfield; George Rice, Wentzell Lake; brother, Gary McNabb (Marie) St. Andrew's, New Brunswick.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Jeffrey Earl McNabb, formerly of Glebe Road, Birch Cove, New Brunswick; very close and best friend, Raymond Moses (Cathy), formerly of Glebe Road, Birch Cove, New Brunswick.

By personal request there will be no visitation at the funeral home. No flowers please. Graveside Service of Remembrance for Earl will be held later at Epworth United Cemetery, New Germany.

Donations may be made to Parkinson’s Disease Research or Epworth United Church, New Germany Nova Scotia

The family would like to thank the Palliative care Team for the wonderful care they provided Earl. Special thanks to Doctor Gibson and Kaylee; the staff of New Germany & Area Medical Center.

Arrangements entrusted to Sweeny's Funeral Home, 4895 Highway 10, New Germany, where on-line condolences and messages may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.