John Woodford
Born In: Conception Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Born: October 9th, 1933
Passed in: Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: April 18th, 2009
John Patrick Woodford, 75, Bedford/Kempt Head, passed away April 18, 2009.
Born October 9, 1933 in Conception Harbour, Nfld., he was the son of the late Theresa and Michael Woodford.
He is survived by his daughters, Mary Lee (Leonard) Stephenson, Calgary and Jane (Paul) Tolson, Bedford; his sons, Michael (Angela Frank) Woodford, Bedford and John (Teresa) Woodford, Fall River; brothers, Michael (Margaret) Woodford, Holyrood, Nfld. and Phil (Josephine) Woodford, Holyrood, Nfld.; sister, Mary (John) Brophy, Holyrood, Nfld.; grandchildren, Michael (Tracy), Karen, Jillian, Zane, Aidan and Katharine; great-grandchild, Rogan; former wife, Gladys MacNeil; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Aiden, Leonard, Msgr. Richard, and his sister, Sr. Isabel.
Dad began his career as an RCMP officer stationed in North Sydney and New Waterford where he was married and subsequently joined the New Waterford town police. During his time as a peace officer, he recognized the need for a social welfare system, which he established in New Waterford.
He later became the director of the Community Residence Program for Cape Breton. He oversaw the care and transfer into the community of the mentally and physically disabled from the institutions of the day. He spent his professional career helping those who could not help themselves and was the recipient of the Municipal Social Services Award for 31 years of service. He was a board member and past president of the Eastern Family Services Association. He served on the board of Directors of the Sydney Kinsmen Resource Centre as well as numerous other community organizations. He retired to the beautiful Bras d’Or Lakes in Kempt Head in 1994. As a master mariner he spent many summer days sailing the Bras d’Or Lakes with family and friends on his beloved sail boat the Mary Jane.
Dad was diagnosed with Lewy Body Disease a little over a year ago and lived at the Berkley Retirement Home at first in Halifax and, most recently, in Bedford.
We would like to thank those at the Berkley who cared for dad over the last year. We would especially like to thank Dr. Howard Conter and Dr. Kenneth Rockwood and their staff who provided dad with extraordinary care in his battle with Lewy Body Disease.
A private family service was held on April 19, 2009 and cremation took place April 20, 2009. As Dad wished, a service will be held this summer on the Bras d’Or Lakes at Saint Joaquin’s Church.
Donations can be made in his memory to the Alzheimer Society.
Condolences can be sent to P.O. Box 8901 Station A, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K 5M6 or online to janetolson@eastlink.ca
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea.
