Obituary of Herbert Douglas Whitman

Whitman, Herbert Douglas, beloved husband of Darlene (Hawes), passed away peacefully on March 7, 2018 surrounded by his loving family in the QEII Health Sciences Centre. Born the youngest child of Douglas and Edith (Smiley) Whitman on June 27, 1950 in Port Dufferin, NS. He grew up in Port Dufferin and attended school there and in Sheet Harbour at Duncan MacMillan High. Herb went on to study mechanical drafting in Halifax, then went to work at Grinnell Fire Protection Service. Later he went into sales with Eaton’s Department Store before becoming manager of Eaton’s Financial Services. He found his niche in this industry and then joined Montreal Trust Company’s Mortgage Department in Halifax in 1973. A year later he was promoted to Manager of their Saint John, NB office. In 1976 Herb returned to Halifax, with his young family, to manage the local office of the Imperial Life Co. He then spent several years in the mortgage department of Credit Foncier, before starting the partnership Ingram Whitman in 1979 with Al Ingram. Herb started his own business Dufferin Financial Services in the mid eighties and went on to have a long and rewarding career in the financial sector developing industrial and commercial real estate projects throughout Atlantic Canada. Herb loved his work and built special and lasting friendships throughout his career. Spending time in Port Dufferin with the family was his greatest joy, but he would never miss an opportunity to spend time fishing on the Mirimichi with dear friends and family who loved salmon fishing as much as he did. However, like Henry David Thoreau, Herb understood the real reason people go fishing. Herb liked to immerse himself in his woodworking projects, and loved to engage people with his many and varied stories. He loved to laugh and make others laugh. He is survived by his caring and devoted wife Darlene, sons Jasen (Tracey), Aaron (Cathy) and Craig (Kelly), sister Mary (Michael Boutilier), grandchildren; Andrew, Lauren, Charlotte, Chase, Katherine, Helen, along with many in-laws, nieces and nephews in whose lives he always took an interest. He was predeceased by his parents Douglas and Edith (Smiley) Whitman and siblings Janet, David, Wallace and Stephen. Visitation will take place Sunday March 11 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. all in DS Crowell & Son Funeral Home 22558 Highway 7 Sheet Harbour. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday March 12 at 2:00p.m. in St. Peters Roman Catholic Church, Sheet Harbour Father Keith Billard officiating. Internment will be at St. James Anglican Cemetery, Port Dufferin following the service. A reception will follow at the SR Balcom Centre in Port Dufferin. Donations in Herb’s memory may be made to the QEII Foundation.