Murdoch Earl Ferguson
Date de naissance : 16 avril 1937
Date de décès : 27 avril 2019
We lost a good man on Saturday, April 27, 2019, in the An Cala Pallative Care Unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.
Born April 16, 1937, in Glace Bay, Murdoch Earl Ferguson grew up on Caribou Marsh Road and resided in Prime Brook. His birth age was 82, but dad never looked his age and always took that compliment with a laugh, a sparkle in those blue eyes and the waving of his hands.
He is survived and was driven crazy at times by his daughter, Wendy Mann (Grant); sons, Jimmie and Randy; and his pride and joy; his grandchildren, Savannah (Aaron Scott) and Breton.
His wife, our mom, Ruthie left us too soon, as well. I am sure Dad will get an earful from her with all he learned and did on his own since she passed that he didn’t do when she was alive. Oh well, they can sort that out between themselves now.
Dad enjoyed fishing (our favorite thing to do together), skating, took up biking for awhile, hockey, fiddle music and eating pounds of mussels whenever he could.
His parents, Murdoch and Julia (Pass) Ferguson had 12 children, Neil (Lorraine), Christine (Tim), Alex (Glo), Audrey (Norman), Kay (John), Gordon (Peggy), Mally (Olive), Frankie (Evelyn), Arlene (Max), Melvin (Chrissie) and Harold (Anne). Some are still with us, some aren’t, grateful for the ones that still are.
Over the years, Dad worked for the Cape Breton Dairy, as well as construction companies, Zutphen and Municipal Ready Mix. Whenever we met any of his old bosses, they would always say, “I wish we had ten of you, Earl working for us!”
You will be missed so much Dad, but I hope you and Fred are skating and fishing and will keep watch for the rest of us that will follow, hopefully later than sooner, though. You fought hard to stay, but like so many that have gone before you, cancer won the battle. I promise to use your fishing rod and I will always smile and think of you when I eat mussels.
Cremation has taken place. At Dad’s request there will be no viewing, as he did not want a fuss made over him. So, in keeping with his wishes, we will celebrate his life instead of mourning his death. Hugs, handshakes and storytelling will take place at Brookshaven Hall, Prime Brook on Saturday, May 4 from 5-8 p.m., with light refreshments being served. The bar will be available for drinks stronger than coffee and tea.
Thank you to everyone, especially his niece, Cathy Byrne, who was his fill-in daughter so many times when Wendy couldn’t be there. Dad thought the world of you and was so very grateful for all you did for him. Thank you to all the staff on 4B, the palliative care team in the An Cala Unit, the cancer unit and nurses, as well as Dr. Brendan McCarville and Dr. Saliba for their care of my dad.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
Dad, you will be missed by so many that you leave behind, but you will be in our hearts forever.
Always stay Humble and Kind.
