Gerald Confiant
Born In: Florence, Nova Scotia
Born: December 21st, 1926
Passed in: North Sydney, Nova Scotia
Passed on: December 4th, 2017
It is with heartfelt sadness that we, the family, announce the peaceful passing of our father, Gerald Confiant, age 90, on Monday, December 4, 2017, at the Northside General Hospital.
Born in Florence on December 21, 1926, he was the son of the late George Camille and Laura (Laffin) Confiant. Dad’s parents died at a young age, and he was then raised by his grandparents, Dan and Mary (Marsh) Laffin of Mill Creek.
On June 20, 1949, he married the love of his life, Louise (Roland) Confiant, and together they settled in Alder Point, and raised a large family of 15 children.
Family meant the world to him. He was a man of strong faith, and a life-long devoted member of St. Anne Parish in Alder Point. He had a deep-rooted concern for each and every one of us. He was always there to give good advice. He surely enjoyed everyone’s visits. He was very much a people person. To sum him up, he enjoyed the simple things in life. He was sharp witted, big hearted, had a great love for music, and enjoyed great games of crib and scat at the kitchen table.
In Dad’s early years he worked in the crop pits and in other mines. He then went on to work as a stevedore with CN Marine, and in later years as a steward with Marine Atlantic, until his retirement.
Gerald is survived by his loving wife, Louise; his sons, Ernie (Gloria), Dave (Sandi), Richie and Vernon (Tracy); his daughters, Laurie (Gerard Howley), Nancy (Ernie Lightfoot), Denise, Joanne (Cyril Vickers), Gina (Billy Carey), Lisa, Cynthia (Alan Fennel), Monique (Rob Wheeler), and Mary Ann. He is also survived by his brother, Lawrence (Gert) Laffin. Also surviving are 28 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents and grandparents, Gerald was predeceased by his infant son, Dennis; daughter, Elaine; grandson, Jeffrey; great-granddaughter, Molly; brothers, Jim, Dan Joe and Hilary; sisters, Mary, Katie, Agnes, Pearl, Margarite and Beatrice; father and mother-in-law, Victor and Celina Roland; and many in-laws.
Special thanks to all Dads’ caregivers, homecare workers, VON, special nurse “Tracy”, Dr. John Kirkpatrick, and the staff of 4 West, Northside General Hospital.
Visitation for Gerald Confiant will be held in the J. M. Jobes Funeral Home, 635 Main St., Sydney Mines, on Thursday, December 7, 2017, from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m.
A Mass of Christian farewell will take place Friday, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Anne Church, Alder Point, with Fr. Peter McLeod officiating. The burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bras d’Or. A reception will be held in the Alder Point Community Hall, after the funeral mass.
Donations in Gerald’s memory may be made to St. Vincent de Paul, the Autism Society, or a charity of your choice.
Words of comfort may be forwarded to his family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com.
