Wayne Currie
Born In: Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada
Born: September 8th, 1944
Passed in: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: April 18th, 2019
Kind, gentle and devoted. Three simple, but powerful words to describe a great man who passed away at his home in Halifax on April 18, 2019.
Wayne Aloysius Currie, 74, was a devoted husband to Amelia (Caume) and father to Duane, Lauren and Liesl.
Born and raised in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, family was a central theme throughout Wayne’s life. His love for family was shaped by his late parents; Peter and in particular his mother Margaret (nee Stevenson), whom he loved dearly and spoke of often. Wayne was the oldest of 11 children, growing up in the Sterling area of Glace Bay and spending summers with family in Ben Eoin. Wayne cherished his youth and spoke of his childhood throughout his life. Many of us have heard countless stories about working at Sammy Mendelson’s, playing at the Table Head shore, playing baseball in the Sterling and recounting (or making up) stories of Chester Pucci and Charlie Capstick; who over time grew to near mythological status.
Despite growing up in a large family, Wayne maintained a close bond with his siblings and their extended families throughout his life. He spoke with great fondness not just about their collective experiences in childhood, the family reunion in 1987, a family trip to Alberta or his brother Daryl’s 50th birthday in Cabo San Lucas, but more importantly about the impact this continually growing clan, whom he held in such high regard and had immense love for, had on his life.
Wayne shared this love for family with his own wife and children, to whom he was deeply devoted. He helped raise his three children and more recently three grandchildren, Cael, Marlie and Remi, by modelling love, kindness, empathy, and how to be a good human above all else. His intellect and whimsical nature made him a larger than life figure, particularly amongst his grandchildren whose lives have been so profoundly impacted by his attention, patience and love.
Wayne was a highly respected and well liked teacher, having graduated from St. F.X. University in Antigonish, NS, before working in a number of schools in Glace Bay and Reserve Mines, Cape Breton. He was a passionate and engaging teacher, considered by many former students to be their very best. All of his brothers, sisters, extended family and children grew up hearing from others the profound effect that “Mr. Currie” had on their lives and all felt immense pride being able to say Wayne was their father, big brother, uncle or cousin. While in Glace Bay, he was an active member of St. Anne’s Church, teaching Sunday School and singing in the church choir. After retirement, Wayne and Amelia moved to Halifax from where they had the good fortune to take many family vacations to the Caribbean, Europe and the United States. During his time in Halifax, both Wayne and Amelia played an integral role in the lives of their children and grandchildren, enjoying many family parties, baseball, hockey and ringette games, school concerts, and family vacations.
A true gentleman, Wayne’s values harken back to a simpler time of the past. Wayne was always able to focus on an individual’s positive qualities. He only saw the good in people and made that person in his presence see it too. He leaves a legacy of unwavering kindness and commitment to his family and all he met. You could always count on Wayne to lend a hand, offer a kind word or simply be there to listen. You never had to ask – he was there. He had a special ability to make anyone feel comfortable and leave them with the feeling he was genuinely happy to see them and valued hearing about their lives and experiences. Simply stated, Wayne was an example to follow and demonstrated how to live one’s life and leave nothing but positivity, kindness and selfless love. He will be dearly missed but never forgotten. His values live on in all the fortunate people, and there were many, that he was able to cross on his journey through life.
A loving husband and father, Wayne is survived by his wife, Amelia; their children, Duane (Klara), Lauren (Joe) and Liesl (Ryan); his grandchildren Cael, Marlie and Remi; Bothers and sisters Bob, Bev, Peter Peggy, Kathy, Debbie, Denise, Daryl, David, and Paul; as well as many in-laws, nieces, nephews, extended family, students and friends.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/halifax-ns/wayne-currie-8255438
