Tunney Betts
Born In: Doaktown, New Brunswick, Canada
Born: July 11th, 1927
Passed in: Sydney, Canada
Passed on: May 16th, 2014
On Friday, May 16, 2014, Tunney Albert Betts gently left this earth and returned home to our Heavenly Father.
Born July 11, 1927, in Doaktown, N.B, he was the son of the late Perley Betts and Edna (Gilks) Betts and is survived by his wife, Georgina (Watt); daughters, Pauline (Donnie MacLean), Elaine (Martin Hall), Irene Betts, Lorraine (Eddy MacDonald), Kathleen (Allan MacMillan) and Robin (Stephen Beaton); stepchildren, Cathy (LaDell Rose), Diane (Carl MacKinnon) and Stephen Anderson; sisters, Betty (Fred Richardson) and Phyllis Betts; and a combined total of 22 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, whom he loved dearly.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Edith (MacDonald) Betts and siblings, Perley, Juanita, Ina, Georgina and Joyce.
For many years, Tunney and his family resided in Blues Mills, where he was employed by Georgia Pacific, moving back to Sydney in 2002. Early in Tunney’s career, he fixed diesel engines on fishing boats out of Newfoundland and in the coal mines. He had a deep respect for the fishermen and the miners due to his experiences.
Tunney played the guitar, as well as his treasured mandolin and in his youth, with his friend Eddie Joe Boudreau, played many house parties, Later years found him sharing music around campfires and accompanying his daughters.
A lover of wood, Tunney created many lovely pieces treasured by his family and also made several period pieces of furniture for the Highland Village Museum in Iona.
A thing that remained constant through the years was his love of the Volkswagen bus. When his children were younger, he owned a number of them, in which his family spent many happy hours. More recently, he enjoyed crossing the country in the camper and tinkering and fine tuning the engine at every opportunity.
A truly kind, gentle, compassionate man, Tunney was well loved and highly respected by all who knew him.
Visitation will take place at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, May 21st from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Thursday, May 22nd, at 11 a.m., with president Jim Kaine officiating. Interment in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens.
Family flowers only.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or email sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
