John Edward Walker

John Edward Walker

Little Bras d’Or

August 6, 1924 – September 11, 2020

In the stillness of night, as Bras d’Or slept, the kind man at the wheel of the dark van beeped the horn on Rendell Drive as our family, in the window, waved goodbye one last time. Our dear Dad and Poppy, Johnnie Walker, 96, had died peacefully in the home he had built 45 years earlier.

He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Dad was a jack of all trades, a man of many talents, who could turn his hand to anything. He left school at an early age to work in the coal mines. When he met and then married mom in 1956, they built a life together in Alder Point, where he was born, and raised a family of five. Moving to Little Bras d’Or in 1975, Dad was employed for many years as a stevedore and then as a steward with Marine Atlantic. He was a quiet man who worked hard and enjoyed life. Travelling with friends, camping in Margaree and Antigonish, taking in the PEI horse races, playing cards, and watching sports (go Leafs and Jays) were all simple pleasures for him.

Dad had many encounters with neighbours and pets as he went on his long daily walks, well into his nineties.

Dad was a man small in stature but mighty in many ways: wisdom, honesty, integrity, patience, practicality, humour, humility, kindness and generosity. He lived a life of deep love for God, his family, his parish and community. He was a committed member of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, the Associates of St. Martha, and the Northside Prayer Group, along with countless parish committees and ministries throughout the years.

He and mom were true servants and prayer warriors. Together they left a legacy of faith to us their children: Gail (Ron), Bruce, Emily (Fred), Susan (Gerard), and Paula (Sheldon), grandchildren: John Todd (Sam), Mitch (Katie), Brendan (Catherine), Paul (Sarah), Josh (Catherine), Frances (Taylor), Rachael, Bethany (Grant), and precious great grandchildren: Gracie, Ruby, Claire, Luke, Oliver and two not yet welcomed into the world.

He taught us to live one day at a time, to pray the rosary faithfully, to rely on God’s grace when we needed help, and to live with hearts full of gratitude. Thank you for these gifts, Dad.

Besides his parents Neil D. and Victoria (Thurbide) Walker, Dad was predeceased by his beloved wife of 63 years, Mary Josephine “Deany” (Chisholm) Walker, his sister Celina (Victor) Roland and brothers George (Genevieve), Zadie (Gert), and Allan (Christina).

Also remembering Johnnie are many special nieces and nephews, as well as sisters-in-law, Peggy Hicks, Emily Palazzola and brothers-in-law, Douglas and Harold Chisholm.

Special thanks to Dad’s kind, compassionate family physician Doctor Doug Kohlsmith and his sweet secretary Karen. Also, thanks to the VON and the amazing Palliative Care Team at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.

Visitation for Johnnie will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16th in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 17th at Saint Joseph Church, Bras d’Or with Reverend Peter McLeod officiating. In line with N.S. Department of Health protocols, those in attendance are asked to wear a mask and adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and online condolences may be offered to the family at www.wjdooley.com

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” – Psalm 118:24