It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our loving father, Neil Clyburne of Rocky Mountain, Pictou County. He passed away peacefully at the Aberdeen Hospital on Thursday, February 19, 2009. He has been reunited with his best friend and loving wife of more than 60 years, Frances (MacKay) Clyburne.
Neil was the son of William Harris and Lydia Mae (Warrington) Clyburne, Isaac’s Harbour North, Guysborough County.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
He was predeceased by his brothers: Freeman, Arch, Elijah, and Harold; and by his sisters: Tressa, Matilda, Effie, Love, Ida, Doris and infant sister, Helen; and by his step-sisters, Jean and Bessie.
Neil moved to Eden Lake when he was eight years old following the death of his mother. There he was loved and cared for by his sisters, Matilda and Dan A. Wood and Effie and Leslie MacDonald. He spent many happy days with Jessie, Edna, Marjorie and Fred Wood and Muriel, Elizabeth, Paul, Alexander and Lydia MacDonald. Neil kept a deep-rooted love in his heart for Isaac’s Harbour and he loved to take a Sunday drive to visit his relatives in Guysborough County.
He is survived by his sisters-in-law, Anna Mae Thompson and Kaye MacKay.
In 1947, Neil married Frances MacKay. Together they provided a warm and loving family home for Sheila Clyburne (Andrew Sherin), Dartmouth; Jenny Cosh (Donnie), Durham; Alvin (Susanna Cluff-Clyburne), Russell, Ontario; James, Pincher Creek, Alberta; Christie Wilson (Stanley), Sunny Brae; John (Jean Rene), Montreal; Lawrence Neil (Kandy), Rocky Mountain and Jason (Jeanne), Halifax.
He enjoyed his grandchildren: Britta, Alex, April, Nathan, Jonas, Matthew, Suzanne, Elizabeth, Dale, Wesley, Liam, Tasha, Chanci, Katie and Rory; and his great-grandchildren: Caleb, Rosie, Ella, Zoe, Claire, Jack Francis and Joslyn. For them he always had a candy or a stick of gum.
In his early years Neil worked in various lumber camps and saw mills. Later he drove the mail. In 1952, when East Pictou Rural High School opened, Neil became one of the first bus drivers. He had found his true profession. He loved all the children he drove to school. He enjoyed the youngest child attending a little country school to the oldest that continued on his route to East Pictou. He also enjoyed meeting and conversing with former students that had traveled on his bus. During the summer months he drove a gravel or pulp truck. Whatever his work – he loved it. He had a strong work ethic and he respected this in other people.
Neil was a member of the Blair Presbyterian Church, Garden of Eden, but also attended the Bethany United Church, East River St. Mary’s.
The true and simple pleasures of life were what Neil enjoyed the most – catching a trout in the brook, feeding and watching the birds, getting a letter in the mail, eating a piece of pie with ice cream, or gardening – all these things were pleasures for him. He had a great love of nature, especially his own home and its surroundings. He walked the woods and knew every square inch of it. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and many breakfasts of fried fresh trout and toast were enjoyed with his family.
He always enjoyed time spent with his children and grandchildren, whether they lived nearby or came from afar. He looked forward to the boys coming home for their summer or Christmas visits. This was always an occasion to have a family gathering with good food and the company of family and friends.
This kind and gentle man will be greatly missed.
His remains will rest at the H.W. Angus Funeral Home from 7-9 p.m. Sunday, February 22, 2009 and on Monday, February 23, 2009, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. As requested by Neil, his remains will also rest in the Blair Presbyterian Church, Garden of Eden, on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, from 10-12 noon. The funeral will follow at the Zion Presbyterian Church, East River St. Mary’s at 2:30 p.m. with burial in the Valley View Cemetery. A social time with family and friends will follow the burial. Neil’s favorite desert of white sugar cake with boiled icing and strawberry ice cream will be served.
Family flowers only. Donations made in Neil’s memory may be made to the Blair Presbyterian Church or the IWK Hospital for Children.
“His values embraced family, reveled in the social mingling of the kitchen, and above all, welcomed the loving disorder of children”
– John Cole