Joseph 'Jeep' Deveaux
Born In: New Waterford
Passed on: January 12th, 2013
Joseph Eugene ‘Jeep’ Deveaux, 86, Eastern Passage, passed away peacefully on Jan. 12, 2013, at the Dartmouth General Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in New Waterford in 1926, he was the son of the late Telesphore and Eliza (Aucoin) Deveaux.
Predeceased by two brothers in infancy, he leaves behind his wife, Shirley (née Hunt); his sister, Rita Connors; children, Cheryl (Gerry) McDaniel, Laurie, Janine (Pat Rossall), Robert (Cheryle (née Stubbert) and Kevin (Megan); grandchildren, Elysse, Meaghan, Natalee (Derek) Stephens, Kaitlyn, Emma, Zachary, Michaela, Sydney, Ewan and Flavie; great-grandchildren, Aidan, Nora and Jack; and several nieces, nephews and their families.
He was married in 1952 and they moved to Eastern Passage in 1957.
He was a veteran of the Second World War, where he was posted to the HMCS North Battleford and the HMCS Huntsville.
After the war he returned to New Waterford and worked in the coal mines for several years. In 1954, he decided to re-enter the Navy, first being posted to CFB Shearwater and then CFB Halifax. Prior to his retirement in 1975, he rose to the rank of chief warrant officer, having served with pride on many ships, including the HMCS Bonnaventure.
In 1972, he was elected Halifax County councilor for Eastern Passage-Cow Bay, a post he held through several elections until he retired in 1996. During that time he oversaw the development of new infrastructure in the communities, including sewer and water, the first Eastern Passage Junior High School, new housing developments and a new fire hall. He was a driving force behind the establishment of community schools and opening access to the local schools for evening activities. As a member of the Halifax County council he was also the long-standing chairperson of the recreation committee, a member of the Halifax County-Bedford School Board and spent one term as deputy warden. He also served terms on the boards of Metro Transit Commission, the Halifax Waterfront Development Corp. and the Dartmouth General Hospital.
He was extremely active in the Eastern Passage-Cow Bay community, first having served on the boards of the Athletic Association and the Ratepayers Association in the 1960s.
He was a longtime member of St. Andrew’s parish.
He was also involved in the management of Oceanview Manor. He was a charter member of the Eastern Passage-Cow Bay Lions Club and an active member of the legion (Caen Branch), the Buffalo Club (Lodge 8686) the Knights of Columbus and the Eastern Passage Benevolent Society.
He was a part of the group that created the community newspaper The Beacon and he was a founding member of the Eastern Passage-Cow Bay Summer Carnival committee.
Grampy is remembered for his tremendous generosity, his presence at every family event and special occasion, his hugs and kisses and his signature boxes of Smarties. Christmas will never be the same without his special gifts and his famous stuffing. He will be remembered for his passion for the game of golf and fondly missed for his daily telephone calls.
Visitation will take place at the Eastern Passage Funeral Home between 1-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15. Memorial mass will be held at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Eastern Passage at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16. Reception to follow at the Eastern Passage-Cow Bay Lions Club.
Online condolences by visiting www.dartmouthfunerahome.ca.
Donations can be made to the Eastern Passage Benevolent Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation in lieu of flowers.
