J. Burton "Bert" Dalling

New Glasgow - John Burton “Bert” Dalling. It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father and grandfather, Bert Dalling. Dad passed away Saturday, February 24, 2018 in the Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow, NS. Born in Westville, NS, Dad was the only son of the late John and Muriel Dalling and is survived by his daughters: Lynne MacMillan and Lee Ann Dalling; and two grandchildren: Shane (Tessa) MacMillan and Alisha (Jordan Dickson) MacMillan. He is also survived by his sister, Doreen Cunningham, Saint John, NB; brother-in-law, Jack MacDonald, Truro; sister-in-law, Bev Connell, Westville; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Mildred (Connell); son-in-law, Raymond MacMillan; parents: John and Muriel (Gourley) Dalling; in-laws: Jim and Marion Connell; brothers-in-law: Alex Cunningham, Ralph Connell, Frank McLean and Ugo Salmaso; sisters-in-law: Eva McLean, June Salmaso and Audrey MacDonald; nephews: Michael and Timmy Connell, Anthony and Mario Salmaso. Also to mourn Dad’s passing are his special friends: Courtney Malcom, Jim MacIvor, Barry Trenholm, Donnie McGuigan, Ron and Eldean Shanks. Dad enjoyed memorable and stellar careers in senior hockey and senior baseball. He began his hockey career at Lourdes in 1948-49. They won the Maritime Midget Championship. The next winter, with almost the same lineup, they captured the Maritime Juvenile Crown. He then enjoyed a fine career with the North Side Franklins in the Cape Breton Junior League. North Side won the circuit both years and in the second season, they knocked off the powerful Halifax St. Mary’s who had won several consecutive Maritime titles. Dad moved up to senior hockey with the Moncton Flyers, then was sold to the New Haven Blades in the Eastern Hockey League. After four months in New Haven, he returned home and played for the New Glasgow Rangers and was team captain. This was the year the famous “Kid Line” was formed. He used to say for many years when people recognized him for his hockey prowess that, “Everyone knows the kid”. Dad then played with the Dalhousie Rangers in the North Shore League where they won the New Brunswick Crown. Media articles from his glory days referred to Dad as “starry right winger”, “high scorer”, “pin sharp”, “Ace”, “can set up goals as well as score them”, “top producer”, “front liner”, “smooth”, “the most outstanding junior prospect in the Maritimes in years”, “shining light”, “deadly marksmanship”, “six goal Bert”, “Darling of the North Side Franklins”, “blistering shot”, and “smooth as silk operator”. Teammates and fans alike jumped onto the ice to mob Dad when he played for the Rangers and scored the winning goal in sudden death overtime against St.FX. He was an inductee into the Pictou County Sports Heritage Hall of Fame and The Cape Breton Sports Heritage Hall of Fame. While Dad had many accolades over the years, he enjoyed more the laughs and memories of those great years. He was a man of character and a gentleman on and off the ice. Dad was also an outstanding baseball player with the Westville Minors, the Twilight Senior Baseball League and was team captain for the Stellarton Albions and Sydney Mines Juniors. When he played for the Stellarton Keiths, they won the Nova Scotia Championship in 1965. He acquired the nickname of “Beltin’ Bert”. Dad worked as a sales representative for Neilson Cadbury and became known as the “Candy Man” for his generous giving of chocolate treats to all the kids and adults alike. He and Mom loved to spend summers at the cottage at Black Point and enjoyed travelling to Sarasota, Florida each winter with family and friends. With sports on his mind, he always found time for quick 18 holes, including a hole in one in 1980. Later in life, Dad could be found in the company of friends in various Tim’s, the Crushers’ games or at the Pictou County Sports Heritage Hall of Fame sharing stories of days gone by. Visitation will take place at R.H. Porter Funeral Home, 55 Almont Ave., New Glasgow, NS, Wednesday, February 28, 2018 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Funeral will be at Trinity United Church, 2 pm Thursday, March 1, 2018, with Rev. Donna Tourneur officiating. Reception to follow in the Church Hall. Burial to follow at Seaview Cemetery, Pictou, NS. Donations in Dad’s memory may be made the Pictou County Sports Heritage Hall of Fame. Condolences may be sent by visiting: www.rhporter.ca