Stephen Ellsworth Rand
1950-2020
December 12, 1950 –
December 8, 2020
Stephen Ellsworth Rand
– age 69, of Lower Church Street, Port Williams passed away
peacefully with family by his side just four days shy of his 70th
birthday. He was the eldest of seven children, born to the late Hugh
and Doris (Ward) Rand. He grew up on the family dairy farm working
alongside his father and grandfather, and there began his life of
adventure. As a youngster he entertained his siblings with his antics,
and among many entrepreneurial ventures, raised and sold Christmas
geese. He was involved with 4H and Scouts, earning the highest honour
of Queen Scout and went to the 1967 World Jamboree in Idaho. In 1973
he met Jackie, the love of his life and together they raised three
children and built a beautiful life. He was a highly skilled mechanic,
graduated from the Vocational School as a certified machinist and
worked for LJ Parker & Sons, before starting his own new and
used tractor parts and repair business. He had a strong work ethic
which allowed him to fulfill his passion of having his own farm,
raising pigs, beef, sheep, and his beloved Border Collies. He was a
man of integrity, character and compassion, a good friend and
neighbour. His greatest pride was his family and his farm. He was a
loving, patient father and grandfather who created priceless
experiences and memories that no amount of money could buy. As a
family we showed Hereford cattle all over the Maritimes, experienced
4H to its fullest and had many bonfires on the beach. In 2015 Jackie
was able to give him one of his most memorable experiences – a trip to
the Grand Canyon to ride a mule down in the canyon, fulfilling a
lifelong dream. In his final days, as dementia robbed him of his mind,
pictures and stories of that adventure still made his eyes sparkle.
Walking through his pastures, enjoying his cattle, brought him so much
joy and peace each day, a gift that continued into his final weeks. He
was a man who enjoyed the simplest pleasures in life and treasured
each moment, living without regret. Stephen is survived by his best
friend and loving wife of 46 years, Jackie (Meisner); his children,
Jennifer (Mitchell) Visser, Waterville; Leonard (Rebecca), Port
Williams; Peter (Megan Austen), Port Williams; grandchildren, Madeline
(Brent) Rogers, Leah, Eric, Austin, Sophie and Nico Visser; James,
Adam and Sara Rand; Jackson Rand; great granddaughters, Braela and
Brynlee Rogers; sisters, Ruth (Wayne) Gavel, Kentville; Carolyn
(Robert) Rowe, Nicholsville; Barbara (George) West, Port Williams;
Sharon Rand, Port Williams; brothers, Richard (Ivonne) Rand, Port
Williams; Gregory (Pansy) Rand, Lower Canard; mother-in-law, Audrey
Meisner; sisters-in-law, Susan Meisner-Sran, Tanya (Stan) VanGool, all
of Taber, Alta.; Charlene Meisner, Halifax; Heather (Brad) Fox, Lantz;
and brother-in-law, Mark Meisner, Taber, Alta.; several dear nieces
and nephews. He has been laid to rest in the Fox Hill Cemetery, Port
Williams, beside the farm he built, where he lived a fulfilling life.
Donations in memory may be made to the Fox Hill Cemetery. Our family
will be forever grateful to the VON and health care professionals who
provided such loving, invaluable care. Arrangements have been
entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services,
Kentville.
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19502020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Stephen Ellsworth Rand 19502020..
Décès pour la Ville: Kentville, Province: Nova Scotia