Leroy Noble Dykens
1943-2022
It is with a sad and heavy heart that we
announce the death of Leroy Noble Dykens. Leroy passed away peacefully
in Fredericton, NB, at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital on the
morning of his 79th birthday, August 10,
2022.
Born August 10, 1943 in Wolfville, NS, Leroy
was predeceased by his mother, Ruby Steele (Dykens) and his beloved
uncles, Freeman, Judd, Bob, Noble, and John Dykens who helped raise
him as the quiet, kind, funny, and hardworking man that he
was.
Leroy is survived by many relatives, most
notably missed by brothers, Wayne (Marlene) Dykens, Curtis Dykens,
Glendon Dykens, and sisters, Marlene Steele and Doreen
Barnaby.
Leroy is already greatly missed and mourned by
his children, Andrew Noble Dykens Anderson and Ashley Hope Anderson
(mother, Kay Anderson). The first half of Leroy’s life was
spent throughout the Annapolis Valley, mainly in Wolfville and Grand
Pre. His children like to think of him as the strong, hardworking Dad
that would frequently play baseball with them and all the kids in the
neighbourhood, no matter how tired he
was.
Ashley fondly remembers sitting high in the
cherry trees, reading for hours, whenever her father took her to the
farm with him. Leroy always had a coffee in hand and liked to sing
along to the radio, especially « Hit the Road, Jack ». These
are some of the wonderful memories she has shared with her children,
Leroy’s grandchildren, Andrew Anthony Anderson and Cody
Austin Anderson so they could learn about who their grandfather
was.
Leroy spent the second half of his life
throughout Cape Breton, NS, and Fredericton, NB. He is greatly missed,
and fondly remembered, by his stepdaughter, Carrie Anne (Robert)
MacAllister, who was also his loving caretaker during the final years
of his life. He was a supportive, and kind, stepfather to Carrie, and
beloved Papa to Tamara-Lynn Colson. He lived a peaceful, full and
happy life with Carrie and Tamara in Fredericton. Being
Tamara’s Papa made him very proud. Ashley and Carrie are
extremely grateful to lean on each other, as sisters, as they mourn
the man who brought them together in
life.
Leroy was happiest when in nature, and had an
incredible « green thumb », which he utilized through a career
in farming. He was a talented pruner, grafter, and grower throughout
Grand Pre. In the 1980’s Leroy converted a school bus into a
mobile produce distribution centre that travelled throughout the
Atlantic, selling fresh fruit and vegetables from Nova Scotia to
Newfoundland and everywhere in between. He was innovative, ahead of
his time, and saw the need for fresh, healthy food in more rural areas
over forty years ago. He proudly supplied produce directly to families
throughout the Atlantic region for many
years.
Leroy was a true hippy, spending years off-grid
in the hills of Cape Breton with Kay, Andrew, and Ashley in a log
cabin he and Kay built by hand while she was pregnant with Andrew.
Leroy loved to be outdoors, planting everything, tapping maple and
tending to the gardens and trees. The times in the woods were some of
his most special memories. Andrew treasures a jackknife and heirloom
pocket watch, gifted to him from his father many years ago. Leroy was
a man of few worldly possessions, preferring experiences like camping
and time outdoors over stuff. Andrew and Leroy enjoyed a shared love
for movies, especially comedies, and one of their favourites was
« Honey, I Shrunk the Kids » which they saw in theatre
together on a rare and memorable father-son day when Andrew was a boy.
Memories are more valuable than gold and our family treasures even the
simple ones with Leroy.
Leroy had a tragic workplace accident in his
fifties which drastically changed the course of his life. His injuries
were severe and debilitating, however his resilience was much
stronger. He was determined to walk again and prove to the Doctors,
and to everyone, that he was still strong! He went on to walk again
and even ride his bicycle all over
Sydney.
Collecting books and reading everything he
could get his hands on was a favourite pastime which he shared with
his daughter Ashley. They would often discuss the latest books by
their favourite authors as a way to connect. In the last few years, he
continued to enjoy books and puzzles, often emptying his dressers of
all his clothes to make room for more books. He accurately completed
two word searches the day before he passed, showing once again how
incredible the mind truly is.
He was extremely hard working and always the
first to volunteer to help someone with any need at all. It
wasn’t unheard of for him to spend hours shovelling/plowing
out all the driveways on his entire street after a storm. He was a
friend to all. A common phrase he had in life was that
« everything will be alright », as he planned out what was
needed, wrote out his lists, and got right to
work!
When remembering Leroy, everyone has a great
story (or ten!) to share. He was a wonderful human, a funny character
and an interesting soul. Please enjoy a slice of ice-cream cake (his
favourite), light a candle in his memory and share your stories with
each other as we keep his spirit alive.
« That the silent presence of your
death
Would call your life to
attention,
Wake you up to how scarce your time
is
And to the urgency to become
free
And equal to the call of your destiny.
That you would gather yourself
And decide carefully
How you now can live
The life you would love
To look back on
From your deathbed. »
~John O’Donohue
In keeping with Leroy’s wishes, his body was
donated to the Dalhousie Human Body Donation Program to further
educational studies and medical research. A private family service
will take place at a later date. For those who wish, donations in
memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society. Online condolences may
be directed
to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/164176
>Click here to View Condolences
19432022
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Leroy Noble Dykens 19432022..
Décès pour la Ville: Kentville, Province: Nova Scotia