STELLARTON – Clement Arthur Balesdent Sr., age 85, RCAF W.O. Ret’d of Stellarton, passed away at home, Sunday, November 25th, 2012, surrounded by family after a fierce battle with cancer.
Born in Stellarton, he was the son of the late Edmond and Andrea (Wasson) Balesdent, both originally from Hersin-Coupigny, France.
Clem proudly served Canada in the Army during World War II in the C.T.T.C. (Canada’s Boy Soldiers),and the R.C.A.F. totalling 30 years service. He was stationed in NS, NB, England, PEI and retired from CFB Comox, BC in 1974. He was a member of Br. #28 Royal Canadian Legion, Stellarton; #110 Wing R.C.A.F. Assoc; and was a staunch supporter of the 374 Air Cadet Squadron. Clem was a Board Member of the Pictou County Military Museum.
Clem could repair anything except a broken heart and the crack of dawn and often said he’d give those a try anytime. He was a familiar face at Stewart’s Scrap Metals, always looking for a new project. He had a brilliant, creative mind, and was a master with pen and paper. Clem was instrumental in the preservation of the Cornish Pump House located on the grounds of the Museum of Transportation and Industry; and in the design and construction of the Pt. James Robertson Park and Memorial Wall at the corner of Foord St. and Foster Ave. in Stellarton.
Clem is survived by his loving wife and childhood sweetheart of 65+ years, Agnes (Saunders); son Claude (Paula Rideout) Plymouth; sisters: Lorraine (Jim) Smith, Stellarton; Noemie Balesdent, Toronto, Ont.; Louise (Don) Gill, Beaverton, Ont.; grandsons: Dennis (Tanya Hawboldt), Jason (Debbie Kontuk) and Jeffrey Balesdent; eight great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents Edmond and Andrea Balesdent; a son Clement Jr.; a sister Alsace (George Carabin); niece Glenda Smith and a brother in infancy.
The family will receive visitors from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Thursday in the H.C. MacQuarrie Funeral Chapel,18 Acadia Ave., Stellarton. A celebration of Clem’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday from the funeral home chapel with Rev. Aidan Kingsbury officiating. A reception will follow at Br. #28 Royal Canadian Legion.
Family flowers only please.
Br. #28 Royal Canadian Legion will meet at the funeral home at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday to conduct their tribute service.
Donations in memory of Clem may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Cystic Fibrosis Society, 374 Air Cadet Squadron or the Pictou County Military Museum.
Online condolences may be sent to angusfuneral@ns.sympatico.ca