Obituary of Lawrence Albert Armstrong

Of Falmouth, died Friday, April 4, 2025 peacefully at home, at age 83 years. Born in Windsor, he was the son of the late Lawrence Churchill and Evelyn Elizabeth (Tattrie) Armstrong. Larry spent the entirety of his years in Falmouth and Windsor and was well known in Hants County as the longstanding Chief Administrative Officer of the former Town of Windsor.

At the age of 22, he was hired by the Town of Windsor to be Deputy Clerk. After just a year, he was promoted to be the town’s youngest Town Clerk, a position which eventually evolved into Chief Administrative Officer. He worked with seven mayors over his 43-year career and dozens of town councillors. At the time of his retirement, he was the longest-serving municipal administrator in Nova Scotia history. During this time, Windsor was marked by many historical milestones: the construction of the Falmouth causeway and the creation of Lake Pisiquid, a transformation that has impacted the town for two generations; the opening of the Hants Community Hospital in 1976 and Windsor’s Centennial celebrations in 1978; the devasting fire at the Exhibition Arena in 1981; the famed Windsor pumpkin regatta beginning in the late 1990s and the campaign to have the town recognized as the Birthplace of Hockey.

Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee medal in 2012, Larry was a 30-year member of the Association of Municipal Administrators of Nova Scotia and a recipient of a Gold Scroll of Recognition from the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities acknowledging his significant contribution to the institution of local government.

Larry also devoted considerable time to community organizations that mattered. He was a 55-year member of Windsor Rotary Club, attending meetings into his retirement and becoming a Paul Harris Fellow. Many current and former residents of Falmouth will recognize Larry as the dedicated treasurer for Centre Falmouth Cemetery, which ensured plenty of conversations with neighbours old and new as they dropped off their annual payments. He was also an important volunteer at the now decommissioned Juniper Grove United Church in Falmouth, helping the congregation navigate the difficult decision to join St. James United in Hantsport and continuing to serve the new Avon United.

Anyone who spent time in his home office will also know that he was a collector of stamps and a subscriber to National Geographic for almost 65 years. Older residents of Falmouth will certainly remember weekends of lawn mowing at the home Larry had built for his young family at the sharp turn on Town Road. Having raised their children in that home, he and his wife, Sharon then became the seventh generation to live in one of the three original Armstrong farmhouses, landmarks along the Evangeline Trail for well over 175 years.

Larry is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sharon (O’Brien); sons, Peter (Andrea), Falmouth and Robert, Chester Grant; daughter, Sarah (Tim), Halifax; 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents, Larry was predeceased by his daughter-in-law, Shelley.

Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317), where the family will receive visitors from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 9. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 10 in Avon United Church, 17 Prince Street, Hantsport, Rev. Penny Nelson officiating (a webcast of the service will be available here below by Thursday evening). A reception will immediately follow in the lower level of the church. Burial will be held in Centre Falmouth Cemetery, 155 Town Rd., Falmouth. Donations in memory of Larry may be made to Avon United Church, PO Box 414, Hantsport, NS B0P 1P0 or the Canadian Cancer Society, 5826 South St, Halifax, NS B3H 1S6. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca