KENT, JOHN JOSEPH (J.J.) - John Joseph Kent passed away quietly in his sleep, after a lengthy illness, at his home in Quispamsis, NB, on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2005. J.J. will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Ann (Kvasnak), and the children he so adored - his daughters Pamela Olsson, Kingston, NB, and Alison Gill (Sat), Burnaby, BC, and sons David (Linda), Quispamsis, NB, and Kevin (Joyce), Hallville, ON. He was predeceased by son Michael. J.J. was born and raised in Port McNicoll, Ontario where he married his "pwesus" on July 26th, 1952. John started his work career with the C.P.R. in the sheds of Port McNicoll and worked in the freight office and grain elevator there. In 1959, Ann and J.J. opened the "first" Kent's Variety Store, on 4th Avenue in Port McNicoll and served friends and acquaintances various sundries, from hamburgers and fries to pop, chips and ice cream. Nothing pleased J.J. more than to head out on the Georgian Bay in their cabin cruiser - the MADKAP-J - with kids aboard on a Sunday afternoon or for a midnight cruise with friends. In 1966, following the death of their beloved son Michael, J.J. moved the family to Saint John, NB where he became operations manager for the Marathon Realty grain elevators on the west side of Saint John. Soon after, he also became the manager of the New Brunswick Cold Storage, at it's location near the viaduct on Main Street. Once again the entrepreneurial spirit struck and in 1971, Ann and J.J. opened the "second" Kent's Variety Store on the Old Rothesay Road in Kingshurst - East Riverside. J.J. took great pleasure in following the normal eight hour work day with a couple hours stint tending store and greeting the many neighbours and friends who frequented their shop. Retirement beckoned in the mid-80s and J.J. delighted in the fact that the number of grandchildren were increasing in line with the amount of free time he had to dote on them all - Geoffrey, Jennifer, Katelyn, Leah, Keri, J.D. and Brianna - (and of course Cosmo the dog...) His days were filled with special visits and family gatherings - exactly how he wanted it. The purchase of a spiffy new motor home ("The Hooper") allowed Ann and J.J. to head back to Ontario, travel to the west coast and back and venture down south for the winter. Of course, part of J.J.'s plan was to ensure the kids and grandkids had the opportunity to enjoy the Hooper as well - a plan that worked to perfection. Unfortunately, a heart attack and a couple of strokes limited his mobility in his later years but did not dim his verve for life or his love of family. J.J. is predeceased by his parents: Teddy Kent (England) and Ida (Parent) Kent (Ontario), brothers Moise and Ernie and sisters Min, Marie, Margaret, Alma, Edna and Veronica. He is survived by a brother Bernard (Mary), Hamilton, ON, and a sister Ida Wicks, Port McNicoll, ON. J.J. will be sadly missed by his in-laws, nieces and nephews, uncles, aunts and cousins, and his many dear friends. There will be no public visitation. A funeral service will be held Saturday, May 7th, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Rothesay, with a reception to follow. Special thanks to the Extra Mural nurses and other caregivers, especially Cindy Bergeron, Bill Koval, Brenda Roberts and Jana Morgan for their care and kindness. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the New Brunswick Lung Association or a charity of your choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to jjann@nbnet.nb.ca Arrangements entrusted to Castle "King's Chapel" Funeral Home, 154 Old Hampton Road, Rothesay, NB., (849-1702) www.castlefh.com