Obituary
Carl Stern Payne Roper
Ingonish
Carl Stern Payne Roper passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 27, 2021, being held by his loving daughters. Dad was born into a large family on August 17, 1937, to his parents the late Harvey and Mary (McGean) Roper in Ingonish. Dad married Mary Shaw and raised his four girls on the same land he grew up on. Dad was a gentle, supportive, loving husband who always kissed mom goodbye every morning before leaving for work and never said no to a silly idea she had or another cat or two. He was a protective, devoted father. Dad taught us may practical life skills like how to row a boat and bait a trap, to keep safety tools in your vehicle, it’s other drivers on the road you need to look out for and most of all, appreciate what you have and to give what you can. Dad enjoyed routines, humble habits and the simple life. Dad’s favorite place was home with all of us. Dad could be seen walking hand-in-hand with mom, eating at the Sea Gull where the girls all knew their orders, waiting at the wharf after Boozer’s halibut trip, or making a trip to Sydney. Dad was a true gentleman, a washer champion, an ace with a slingshot and an expert truck washer.
Dad worked for Parks Canada for 37 years and retired with more sick days in his bank than I am sure any employer has ever seen. His many co-workers over the almost four decades speak of his work ethic, his strong character and memorable pranks. For many years, he worked two jobs as Dad started lobster fishing as a teenager and continued this trade well past his retirement from the park for another 20 years at Kings Point. Dad’s last boat, the Mathew Shelby, was named for the first two grandchildren arriving in 1991. He was a very present and doting Grampie. He loved each and every one of his grandchildren – what you did for one, he did for them all. He was the remover of training wheels, teacher of games that you could play from a lawn chair and to only ever run on grass because you might fall. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s prevented him from doing those things with his great grandchildren but it was certain he loved them. They were the light in the dark of his illness these last few years.
Left to look out for one another with that fierce protectiveness are his daughters Margie (Gordon) MacKinnon, Alison (Philip) Roper, Tracy (Shannon) Buchanan and Shauna (Roger) Robbins; his eleven grandchildren Mathew (Claire), Shelby (Jamie-Lee), Jessica (Eric), Ashley, Makayla (Brandon), Andrew Carl (Megan), Shannon (Meghan), Mackenzie, Liam, Parker and Carli and his six great-grandchildren whose love always brought a smile to his face are Cash Stern, Kinlee, Loch Payne, Poppy, Kit and Sawyer. Dad is survived by brothers Earl and Edward and sister Diane. Dad was predeceased by his loving wife Mary, by his brother Keith who he was very close to and always shared a chair at the supper table until his own passing, brothers Glady, Ben, Stewart, Emerson, Jim and sisters Janette, Pearl, Christie, Valda and Hilda.
Thank you to Dr. Ritter who took exceptional care of Dad these last few years, the home care girls who helped us keep our homebody home as long as we could, our special caregiver Karen, all those who helped provide a loving hand caring for dad over the years and all those at the Highland Manor where Dad spent the last year and a half. It was apparent they loved him as well as we watched them say their goodbyes.
Cremation has taken place, a funeral service to celebrate Dad’s life will be held Friday, December 3, 2021, at 11am at Ingonish United Church officiated by Reverend Corey Stewart. Family burial to follow. Please join us at the North Ingonish Fire Hall to celebrate and share stories of Dad’s life following the service. Condolences can be forwarded to www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Highland Manor, Neil’s Harbour. Please respect Covid regulations during service and reception.
To send flowers to Carl’s family, please visit our floral store.
August 17 1937 November 27 2021 (age 84)
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Carl Roper August 17 1937 November 27 2021 (age 84)..
Décès pour la Ville: Sydney-Mines, Province: Nova Scotia