RIP Chris, Nick, and Troy

Last weekend, two separate incidents took the lives of three people from my home town:

Suddenly, as the cause of a motor vehicle accident, Corey Bates, age 21, of Amherst passed away on Sunday, August 19, 2007.

Born in Orangeville, ON, he was a son of James (Ruthanne) Bates, Orangeville, ON and Kathy (Ron Lake) Bates, Amherst, NS.

After graduating Amherst High School, Corey went on to study Civil Engineering Technology at N.B.C.C.. He enjoyed all sports, especially hockey and baseball. Corey was captain for the Parrsboro Junior C Hockey Team and played Slow Pitch for the “Bunch of Guys” Softball team. His circle of friends were near and dear to his heart.

In addition to his parents, he will be deeply missed by his maternal great grandmother Charlotte McEachern, River Hebert East, paternal grandmother Joan Bates, Orangeville, ON, maternal grandfather Fred Cole, Amherst, maternal grandmother Janie Cashel, Amherst; brothers Jamie and Kyle Bates; step-brothers; Tyler and Shane Lake; cousins, Kevin and Stephanie Ankner, Orangeville, ON, Tristan and Jason Amos, Amherst, Winter and Destiny Sharpe, Chaston and Dawson Button, all of Orangeville, ON; and several aunts and uncles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Furlong~Jones Funeral Home 70 Church St., Amherst, NS (902-667-8777). Visiting hours will take place at the Furlong~Jones Chapel on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. The funeral service will take place at the First Baptist Church, Victoria St., Amherst on Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 2 pm, Rev. Mitchell Lewis officiating. Burial will follow in the Amherst Cemetery.

Those wishing to make a donation in Corey’s memory may do so to the Amherst Y.M.C.A, the I.W.K Children’s Hospital, or the charity of your choice.

Nicholas Franklin Merrill age 20, of Amherst passed away suddenly on Sunday, August 19, 2007.

Born Amherst, he was the beloved son of Ian and Brenda (Lee) Merrill.

He was a graduate of Amherst Regional High School and had attended Compu College in Moncton. Nick loved sports, especially hockey and played for the Parrsboro Junior C. He played baseball and was a member of the Bunch of Guys slow pitch team in Amherst. Nick was very athletic and spent much of his time working out, playing tennis, jogging and was a coach for a local soccer team. He worked with his Dad in the family business. Nick was a good person who loved life and had many friends and was loved by all who knew him. He was very proud of his new nephew and loved being uncle Nick.

Nick is survived by one sister Cherie at home, nephew Evan Nicholas, maternal grandfather Norman Lee and his wife Betty of Amherst, two aunts Sherri (Gilles) Quesnel of Moncton and Jean (David) Harrison of Amherst, five uncles Timmy and Jonathan Lee of Moncton and David Lee of Amherst, Steve (Maureen) Merrill of Moncton and Jeff (Joyce) Merrill of Shubenacadie and many cousins.

He is predeceased by his paternal grandparents Frank and Irene Merrill his maternal grandmother Geraldine Lee.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. from Campbell’s Funeral Home, 98 Church St., Amherst .Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at 11 a.m. from First Baptist Church, Amherst with Rev. Byron Corkum and Rev. Charlie and Karen Cross officiating.

Interment will take place in the Amherst Cemetery.

Donations in Nick’s memory may be made to the Cumberland YMCA or charity your choice.

Troy Jason Alain aged 17 years of Maccan, Cumb. Co., passed away on Saturday, August 18, 2007 in Caledonia, Queens Co., N. S. Born in Amherst, he was a son of Remi Alain of Stanwood, Michigan and Bonnie (Tipping) Alain of Maccan.

Troy was a Junior member of the River Hebert Fire Dept and past member of the Cadet Corp. He had a passion for cooking and enjoyed his job as cook at Jungle Jim’s, Amherst. He also enjoyed hockey games, Youth Group, small engine repair, camping, dances, his family and friends.

He is survived by his sister, Tracy (Matthew Crawley) Alain of Maccan; paternal grandmother, Yvette Goulet of New Richmond, Quebec; several aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was predeceased by his paternal grandfather, Dominique Alain and maternal grandparents, Frank and Daisy Tipping.

Visitations will be held 2 - 4 & 7 - 9 Today in A. H. Brown Funeral Home, Springhill, from where the Funeral Service will be held 2:00 pm Wednesday, August 22, 2007 with Mrs. Shelley Trenholm officiating. Burial in Hillside Cemetery, Boar’s Back Road, Cumb. Co., N. S.

Chris and Nick was in a car accident on the Tyndal Road, just outside of Amherst, Nova Scotia, and Troy drown after a late night swimming accident.

RIP Guys. Only the good die young.