- McCULLY, Hilton Andrew — October 29, 1923 - February 9, 2013. Passed away peacefully at age 89 after a short illness. A son of Captain Andy and Emma (Crossman) McCully, Hilton was born at the present site of the Greville Bay Shipbuilding Museum at Ward’s Brook, Cumberland Co. Hilton received his education at Mount Allison and Saint Mary’s Universities. The early years of his teaching career included a one-room school house in Lower Barney’s River in 1941 and on an active Pictou Island in 1944. In the 1950s, he served as principal of Admiral Westphal School. Hilton retired in 1978 after teaching hundreds of students History and French at Caledonia Junior High School in Dartmouth. After retirement, Hilton started his second career writing poetry, short stories and historical essays. He was a member of both the Writer’s Federation of Nova Scotia and the Canadian Poetry Association. A regular contributor to the Amherst Citizen, he penned over 80 poems. His love of 'The Shore' was chronicled in several books, including, 'Back Then Along the Shore', 'An Seanachaidh', one of Hilton’s early books, is catalogued in the J.F.K. Library and Museum. He was selftaught in Gaelic, and signed all his poems 'Filidh na Choille', (Poet of the Forest). Hilton step danced until age 85 and enjoyed a good Cape Breton fiddle tune. He was disappointed to learn of the passing of Dave Harley, 'General John Cabot Trail', earlier this year. Dave was an acquaintance who Hilton admired to the point of having 'CBLA' printed on all his personal cheques. Hilton was the last of his immediate family, predeceased by his brothers and their wives, Lee (Jessie), Wards Brook; George (Myrtle), Hantsport and Andrew, Paris, Ontario; infant sister, Blanche and infant daughter, Heather. The family would like to thank the staff of Windsor Elms Nursing Home for their care of Hilton during his stay. By Hilton’s request, there will be no funeral service. Family will gather to lovingly celebrate his life through his stories and poetry, with music and memories.
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1923 - 2013 (89 years)
