It is with sadness that the family of The Rev. Canon George Charles Akerley, 89, of Springfield, NB, announces his death which occurred at the Shannex Tucker Hall, Saint John, NB, on February 6, 2017. He was born on October 30, 1927 in Springfield, NB, the son of the late Arthur and Margaret (Short) Akerley. George met the love of his life Audrey Smyth at Kings College, NS, they married and George began his ministry in New Brunswick. George and Audrey served many parishes such as: Saint Peter’s Upham, Saint James Saint John, Saint Paul’s Hampton, Saint Cement’s/Mission Church Milledgeville, Saint Phillip’s Moncton, Saint George’s Bathurst and the parish of Upper Kennebecasis from which he retired. George was also extremely proud of his military career; he retired from the Forces with the rank of Major. He also served as Chaplin of the Norton Legion for well over 20 years. He was active member in R.U.S.I. George loved to sail, curl and golf; he was a member of the Hampton Curling club, the Sussex golf course and the RKYC. George travelled the world and loved adventure but home to him was always the Belleisle Bay where he grew up and chose to spend his retirement years. "I haven’t really left you even though it may seem so. I’ve gone to my heavenly home, and I’m closer than you know." George is survived by his daughters: Margaret Akerley and her husband Neil Munn of Rothesay, NB, Suzanne Valiant and her husband Edward of Dartmouth, NS and Heather Cowie and her husband Michael of Halifax, NS; son John Akerley and his wife Terri Lynn of Saint John, NB; sisters Margaret Lefond and her husband Paul of Kingston, ON, and Janet Simpson and her partner Bonnie Wright of Alberta; grandchildren: Matthew, Katie, Stephanie, Amy, Chase, Haillea, Gabby and Andrew; several great grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, George was predeceased by his loving wife Audrey Akerley; son Bruce Akerley; and sisters Betty Pickle and Jean Thompson. Arrangements have been entrusted to Sherwood’s Funeral Home and Life Tribute Centre (506-839-2156), 18 Scovil Road, Norton, NB. Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 PM on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at Kennebecasis Community Funeral Home, 152 Pettingill Rd, Quispamsis, NB. The funeral service will be held on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 11:00am from St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 4 Church Ave, Rothesay, NB, with a reception to follow. Interment will take place in the spring at Trinity Church Cemetery, Springfield. Donations in memory of George may be made to the Kings Way Care Centre, Trinity Cemetery, Springfield, or to the memorial of the donor’s choice. Personal condolences to the family and donations may be made through SherwoodsFuneralHome.com