August 2, 2019. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Bernard Bowles.

Bernie has died. I will miss him and his test for life. Two weeks ago Anna and I visited him at the rehab section of the Bridgewater Hospital. He was looking forward to living at a private nursing home in Yarmouth, which he did after a few days. His situation at that time was difficult because his left arm would not work. As he was left handed that meant he could not paint. He enjoyed the Yarmouth home for four days but began to have stomach troubles so he was admitted into the Yarmouth hospital. He could not stop vomiting. After Ct and Pet scans it was determined that Bernie had cancer in the stomach and lung. As he was too weak for surgery he was given palliative care where he died in his sleep this morning. Bernard was an artist to the core. He never stopped creating something. He had one job but quit at age 21 to become a full time artist, which he did. He earned his living his whole life by selling his paintings and his crafts. Because he could not afford to buy supplies he used recycled objects. I have his fish that were made from meat containers. His birds and gulls were made from paper mâché. The ornaments were made from the lids of cans. His imagination never quit. But now he has gone. Bernie loved his long and successful life as an artist. He enjoyed everything he did both with his art and with his garden. Fortunately I have several of his paintings which I will treasure even more now that he has died. He was an amazing man. RIP friend Bernie.