CELEBRATION OF LIFE
On Tuesday afternoon, November 24, hundreds of people gathered at St. Paul’s United Church in Sussex, N.B., to honor and commemorate the life of Vince Mitton. Friends, family and Vince’s fellow miners entered the sanctuary to the sound of country music – Vince’s preferred genre. Cyril McNeil graced those present with two outstanding song selections: “Starry Night”, and “Song for the Mira”; he accompanied himself beautifully on guitar. Doris Smith, after sharing a sister-brother story, read from Ecclesiastes and Psalm 121. Nancy Sulis shared memories of her “baby” brother, and read the children’s book (with an ageless message) “The Next Place”. Barry Buck recalled happy times spent with his best friend of thirty years. Doug Morrison, mine superintendent, spoke eloquently and movingly of Vince’s character and contribution. The Rev. Leander Mills welcomed everyone at the service’s beginning, and closed with a heartwarming prayer. Vince’s family will be forever grateful to all the miners who shared stories about their friend and co-worker. Vince was not a church-goer, but we, the family, are sure the service met with his approval. Friends and family from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario journeyed to Sussex to help pay tribute to Vince.
“For what is a man? What has he got?
If not himself – then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way.”