John Vernon Proctor
1934-2019
John Vernon Proctor, from Antigonish, N.S., passed away on
Thursday, October 17th, 2019, at the age of 85. After a
short period of failing health, he died peacefully with family members
by his side in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish.
Our family is now experiencing the pain of John’s loss, but
we wish to express to everyone the joy that John’s presence
among us brought us all. If you ask anyone who knew John, to sum up
how they felt about him in one word, inevitably that one word would be
«Respect».
John was born on July 16,1934, in Evanston, Cape Breton, to
Wallace and Edna (Power) Proctor. He attended St.F.X. University for a
Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1955, as well as a Bachelor of Education in
1957. He then furthered his education by travelling to Edmonton to
attend the University of Alberta to receive a Master’s
Degree in Education. Upon returning to NS, John accepted a teaching
position with the Antigonish School Board. He mostly taught at St.
Andrew Jr. High, where he was an exceptional and beloved math teacher
to many students in Antigonish County until his retirement in
1989.
John married the love of his life, Donna Purcell, on December
27th, 1958, and last December they celebrated their 60th wedding
anniversary. Donna got to visit John for one last time on the
afternoon of his passing, where they sat and held each
other’s hands and gently kissed one another like a couple of
young newlyweds. May we all be that blessed to experience that type of
love and devotion.
John provided a strong foundation for his family, and he also
was a pillar of his community. His contributions to his local area
were numerous and constant. He served on many volunteer boards
throughout his lifetime. His dedication to his local parish, St.
Ninian’s, was exemplary! John served in many volunteer roles
and duties over the years. He was a director of the Bergengren Credit
Union. He served as a Town Councillor in the 80s. He was the president
of the Antigonish Golf and Country Club. He served as the Grand Knight
of The Knights of Columbus. John also worked with the St. Vincent de
Paul Society to help those less fortunate in our community. He
volunteered for many years with the Canadian Cancer Society and was a
key individual in the initial fundraising efforts to establish the
«Cancer Society Lodge That Gives». John Proctor had a real
impact on the world around him. John’s two most true
passions were his family and his faith.
He also had many other passions and hobbies. One that has to
be mentioned is his garden and his lawn. Though John was mostly known
as a loving individual, that love was not passed on to lawn weeds or
people who were tardy. John also had a great sense of humour and
always appreciated a good joke.
John is survived by his loving wife, Donna, and his children,
Kenneth (Janice); Antigonish; Trisha (Reg) Landry, Tatamagouche, Paul
(Darlyne), Cape George, Ann Marie (Paul) Cameron, Antigonish; and
Therese, Halifax. Papa will be greatly missed by his grandchildren who
all appreciated his love and guidance over the years: Eric, Laura, and
David Proctor; John, Steven, and Nicole Landry; Jordyn Proctor;
Allison and Scott Cameron; Joshua and Jarret MacDonald. John had an
extra special relationship with his two great-granddaughters, Rylan
and Lila Doiron. They brought quite a smile to his face in his later
years. John will also be missed by his surviving brother, Mervin, and
sisters, Anne and Rose.
He was predeceased by brothers Michael, Wallace, Arthur, and
sisters Ellen, Loyola, and Judy.
Visitation will be held on Monday, October 21st, from 2 – 4
pm and 7 – 9 pm at C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street,
Antigonish. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday,
October 22nd, at 10:00 am at St. Ninian’s Cathedral,
Reverend Donald MacGillivray presiding. Burial in the parish
cemetery.
In Memoriam, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer
Society or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences: www.clcurry.com
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19342019
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de John Vernon Proctor 19342019..
Décès pour la Ville: Antigonish, Province: Nova Scotia