Nicholas 'Nick' Laffin
Born In: Bras d'Or
Born: April 3rd, 1924
Passed in: Bras d'Or
Passed on: May 25th, 2014
It is with deep sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of our Dad on Sunday, May 25, 2014, in the Veteran’s Wing of Harbour View Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Bras d’Or on April 3, 1924, Nick was the son of the late Daniel and Ella (Tobin) Laffin.
He was a member of St. Joseph parish, Bras d’Or.
Dad grew up in the Depression, and at the age of 15, worked in the coal mines to help his father support a family of 12. He worked on a boat and sailed to places like Jamaica, Japan, Australia, Africa, England and Scotland. Dad was a boxer/puncher with a record of 29 wins, three losses and two draws. He joined the armed forces, and continued to box across Canada, and in Europe. He opened the Alder Point Amateur Boxing Club from 1967-1972. He was inducted into the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame, along with his brothers Bill and Bobby.
In the armed forces, Nick was a radio operator, and a machine gunner in an armoured car. He was wounded twice in face-to-face combat with German forces. He served with the 8th Reece Regiment, 2nd Canadian Division.
After the Second World War, he returned to Bras d’Or, where he met the love of his life, Evangeline LeBlanc. He raised a family of six, five sons and a daughter. To make a living, he returned to the coal mines. He volunteered to join the Mine Rescue Corps, where he was a draegerman. He went to the Springhill explosions in 1956 & 1958.
Dad loved to fish and hunt, and was an avid gardener. If he couldn’t grow it, it couldn’t be grown. He volunteered at Harbour View Hospital for 28 years, and at Northside General for 16. He was a lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 19, North Sydney, and marched in the Remembrance Day Parade every year. He was a member of the Bras d’Or Pensioners Club, where he was treasurer in early years. He also played in the fun band.
Nick loved his fiddle, guitar and harmonicas, and he loved to dance. He always had and a song, or a story to tell. His passion was writing songs, poems and short stories, from which he channeled his Second World Two experiences. He enjoyed playing darts, and was very proud of his 180 pin. He also bowled with the Colliery league, which he enjoyed very much. Our father lived his life to the fullest, and was a wonderful man. We are very proud to say he was our Daddy.
Nick is survived by sons, Earl (Judy) Pictou, Terry, Ronnie (Beth), Bras d’Or, and Alex (Betty), Ottawa; and his daughter Gerry (Pat) Jessome, Alder Point. Also left to mourn are his sisters, Marie Nunn and Ella Mae Marsh, and a brother Pat (Virginia), 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Evangeline (LeBlanc), son Nick Jr., sons, Michael and William in infancy, daughter Linda in infancy, brothers, William, Bobby, Terrance, Johnny, and Danny and sisters, Laura, Francis, Irene, and a sister in infancy.
Visitation for Nick Laffin will be held in J.M. Jobes Funeral Home, 635 Main St., Sydney Mines, on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A celebration of his life will take place on Thursday, at 10:30 a.m., in St. Joseph Church, Bras d’Or, with Fr. Peter McLeod officiating. The burial will be in the parish cemetery.
Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com
When a smile becomes a memory,
A memory becomes a smile.
