Bill Jessome
It is with broken hearts that we announce the sudden and unexpected loss of our father, Bill Jessome, 82, of Sydney Forks, son of Louis Jessome and Ellen (Quinn) Jessome on May 16, 2019. Our hearts are broken but our belief that he is with the Lord and reunited with the love of his life, Alice, brings us comfort.
Bill born March 20, 1937, is survived by his son, Glenn (Jane) Jessome of Halifax; daughters, Laura Lee (Jamie) Campbell of Dartmouth and Sherry Lynn (Allan) Campbell of Cole Harbour; grandchildren, Caleigh, Benjamin, Colton, Landon, Chad and Caleb; brothers, Stanley (Cora) Jessome, Blair (Cecilia) Jessome; sisters, Theresa Serwatuk, Venita Power; sisters-in-law, Joan Jessome, Etta Jessome and many nieces and nephews.
Bill was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Alice; his brothers, Francis, Louis; sister, Delores; brothers-in-law, Hughie MacEachern, Charlie Power and John Serwatuk.
How do you sum up an amazing man in a few short words? Bill, Willie, Dad, Grampie, even “Captain Highliner” were some titles that he held, but they do not capture how much better off we all were to have had him in our lives. He had a life-long love affair with his wife Alice, who he lost just 5 short weeks ago, and he adored his children, their spouses and his grandchildren. A faithful Toronto Maple Leaf fan, he died with only one regret, never getting to see the Leafs win the cup one more time.
Bill was an amazing mentor, yet he would never tell anyone how to live their life, just by watching how he lived you could learn so much. Unbeknownst to him, he was a father figure to so many and gave so willingly of himself. He had the unique ability to make everyone he talked to feel special. He was the genuine article, a man with a common touch. Until you received one of his hugs, you didn’t understand how perfect a hug could be. How we will miss those hugs!!
Bill graduated from St. FX and spent his life as a school teacher. He was well respected by his students and he had a great respect for them. He often said, “there is no such thing as a bad kid; kids rise to the expectations placed on them”. Bill had many lifelong friendships and friendships meant so very much to him. He so enjoyed the simple things, like tarabish games and fun filled golf and fishing trips with his dear friends and teaching colleagues from Malcolm Munroe.
Throughout the school year, Bill resided on Mountainview Drive and his neighbors were always part of his family. Whether it was volunteering at the church in East Bay or a community project, Bill was all in. Come late spring, Bill and Alice would pack up 3 kids, a dog and a cat and head to their treasured summer place in Mill Creek. Bill couldn’t wait to start his huge garden and get on the water with his brothers, pulling the last of the lobster traps, catching cod, mackerel and chasing swordfish. Bill’s brothers and brothers-in-law were also lifelong friends; this taught us so much about family.
Dad was truly a great man whose impact will forever be felt by those who loved him dearly and we know that we will see him again. He left us with all kinds of life teachings; work hard, be responsible for your actions, have integrity, be compassionate, enjoy a good laugh, keep friends close, and take care of those you love. If he could speak to us now, he would tell us that his work here was done; he is waltzing around the dance floor of heaven with Alice.
Such special thanks to the paramedics and emergency room staff at Cape Breton Regional Hospital and the staff and volunteers of An Cala Palliative Care. We will be forever grateful.
Visitation will be held Sunday, May 19, 2019 from 6-9 p.m. at J.M. Jobes Funeral Home, 635 Main St., Sydney Mines.
Funeral Mass to be held on Monday, May 20, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph Church, Bras d’Or, with Fr. Everett MacDow officiating. A reception will follow in the church hall.
Words of comfort may be forwarded to his family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com.
