It is with great sadness that the family of William “John” Dodge, 84, of Lunenburg announces his passing on Friday, January 01, 2021 at Harbour View Haven Home for Special Care, Lunenburg.
Born in Femme, Fortune Bay Newfoundland, he was the eldest son of the late Thomas and Veronica (Labour) Dodge.
John often shared great memories of living in Femme, recalling the closeness of the people and how everyone helped one another. John’s family left Femme in 1954 during the provincial governments resettlement program. They went by boat to Garnish then by car to Port au Bras, Burin.
When only twelve years old, John began inshore dory fishing with his grandfather. At fifteen years of age, John began his deep sea fishing career with his father on the Lunenburg based schooner Eileen C. MacDonald. The first wet fish trawler John fished on was the Blue Wave out of St. John’s Newfoundland in 1952.
John came to Halifax NS in 1954 and fished on side trawlers for National Sea Products and then came to Lunenburg in 1963 and fished on many side trawlers, stern trawlers and scallop draggers.
From 1973 to 1988, John left fishing to work on the offshore drilling rigs. In addition to being off the coast of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, working offshore took John’s travels to many countries including Ireland, Scotland, Guyana and Suriname where he acquired interesting keepsakes to bring home to his family. Following his career on the oil rigs, John worked on Halifax based tug boats for two years mainly travelling on the Great Lakes. John finally returned to his love of scalloping and finished his fishing career with Clearwater’s long liner Hamilton Banker, retiring in 2000.
After retiring from fishing, John continued working at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic from 2000 to 2009 where he eagerly shared his knowledge and stories of his life on the sea.
John “Johnny” was a proud Newfoundlander and put his family and others first. He loved to have fun, cook big meals and will be fondly remembered for his good nature, willingness to help others, and his famous homemade bread.
John is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Sheila, daughter, Wendy (Roger) Tanner of Bridgewater, sons, Wayne of Lunenburg and Keith (Angela) of Dartmouth; grandchildren, Brynlie(Danny), Dryden(Sylvia), Keilyn, Henry and great grandson, Cohen; a brother, Cyril (Pauline) Dodge, Mount Pearl, Nfld; and a step-brother, Wayne (Daphne) of Burin, Nfld; sister-in-law, Lillian Dodge, Mount Pearl, Nfld and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, brother Aubrey and step-mother, Carrie Barnes.
Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy. # 3, Lunenburg where a small family service celebrating John’s life will be held on Wednesday January 6, Rev. Laura Marie Piotrowicz, officiating. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Lunenburg.
The family would like to extend our thanks to Dr. Kelly and to the nurses and staff at Harbour View Haven for the wonderful care during his stay and last days.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Dr. Arthur H. Patterson Centre for Restorative Care, Heart and Stoke Foundation, St. John’s Anglican Church or to a charity of your choice.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William John Dodge Friday January 1st 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Lunenburg, Province: Nova Scotia