John J. Nugent
Lieu de naissance : Sydney Mines, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Date de naissance : 24 novembre 1938
Lieu de décès : Sydney Mines, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Date de décès : 11 février 2011
We the family of John J. Nugent regret to announce the passing of our father, grandfather (Poppy), brother and friend on Friday, Feb. 11, 2011, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
John was born in Sydney Mines, Nov. 24, 1938, the youngest son of the late Michael and Eleanor (Fletcher) Nugent.
Following high school, John was employed at Princess Colliery as a mine electrician and also served as a member of their mine rescue team. John’s next venture took him to the Canadian Forces Fire School in Borden, Ont., where he successfully completed his training and was hired as a career firefighter at the Radar Base in Sydney. John left his firefighting position to accept a position with the Nova Scotia Fire Marshall’s Office as provincial training officer. A true Cape Bretoner, John returned home to pursue a career with Canada Post, where he was employed for many years.
John served his community well for over 52 years, as a community minded person, John followed in his father’s footsteps and began a long and distinguished career as a member of the Sydney Mines Volunteer Fire Department. Working his way through the ranks, John progressed from firefighter to captain, deputy chief and eventually fire chief, a position he held for the last 31 years until the time of his death.
As a progressive fire chief, John constantly strived to keep the department up to date with very modern first-class equipment, facilities, and training. Under John’s leadership, the fire department lead the way in automobile and water rescue. The crown jewel of John’s fire service career was the planning and construction of the new fireman’s centre. Upon completion of this state of the art facility, the members saw fit to name the building in his honour, “The John J. Nugent Fireman’s Center” — a legacy he left for the people of Sydney Mines.
Among his many accomplishments John was honorary president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 8, past chairman of the Cape Breton Fire Chiefs’ Association and president of the Sydney Mines Firemen’s Club.
John was a humble man with a very kind heart, always ready to serve others. On March 21, 1986, John was awarded the Star of Courage (SC) from the Governor General of Canada for his bravery in saving a 10-year old boy from drowning on an ice covered pond.
In life and in death John was surrounded by his loving family and friends, all of whom will miss him greatly.
John leaves behind his special friend, Kathy Pentz; daughters, Valerie Marie Caldwell, her husband Kenny and their children Jonathon, Tyler and Aaron; Patrice McDougall and her three boys Garrett, Logan and Calder; Alison Anthony and her two girls, Taylor and Megan; Lori Nugent and her three children, Brianna, Madelyn and Kalen. He is also survived by his only son, John Jr. and his wife Valerie and their three children, Marcel, Kaitlin, and Matthew. Surviving are his two sisters, Wendy (John) Simpson and Alma Ash; a brother Michael and many nieces and nephews.
John was predeceased by his wife, Valerie (MacPhee) in 2004, and his brothers, Leroy, Edward, Robert, Allister and his sisters, Lovey Jackson and Nancy Gordon.
John’s legacy of love and devotion will live on forever in the hearts of his children, grandchildren and special friends. John loved greatly, lived simply and cherished time spent with his children, grandchildren and friends, all of whom will have wonderful memories of their Poppy and the summers that were spent at our cabin in Georges River.
Visitation for the late John Nugent will be held Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at J.M. Jobes Funeral Home, 635 Main St., Sydney Mines. A celebration of John’s life will take place, Tuesday, Feb. 15 at Immaculate Conception Church at 11 a.m. with Fr. Danny MacLennan officiating, with a reception to follow at the John J. Nugent Firemen’s Centre. Donations can be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Word’s of comfort may be sent to the Family at jmjobesfuneralhome@ns.aliantzinc.ca.
