It is with broken hearts that the family of the late Edward (Ed) Brenton of Winterland Road, Burin, announces his passing. Edward passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family at his home on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at the age of 86. Leaving to mourn with a lifetime of wonderful memories are his wife Helen of 55 years; son John and partner Shannon of Halifax, NS; daughters Cindy Brenton (Jim Mallay) of Portugal Cove – St. Phillips, Gayle Brenton-Smith (Glenn Smith) of Portugal Cove – St. Philips; 4 grandchildren Zachary, Mackenzie, Ryan, Nicholas; brothers Joe (Shirley) Brenton, Frank (Denise) Brenton, Earl (Brenda) Brenton; sisters Joan (Bob) Slaney, Margaret Haskell, Helen Slaney; brother-in-law George Dober; sisters-in-law Betty Farrell, Mary Smith, Jessie Dober; plus a large circle of extended family and friends.
Edward was predeceased by parents Frank and Mary Brenton; brother John Brenton; parents-in-law Richard and Catherine Dober; brothers-in-law Frank Haskell, Bud Slaney, Frank Farrell, Bill Smith, Alban Dober, Jerry Dober; sister-in-law Josephine Power
Cremation has taken place and a family celebration of life will take place in the summer of 2021.
Edward Brenton loved his hometown of Burin, and everything about his beloved Newfoundland and its people, its culture, its food, music, and its natural beauty.
Edward died this week on surrounded by his family and friends in a manner that befitted a man that was loved by so many. If you knew Edward you may relate to what follows, if you didn’t know him that well or at all, here are a few things we would like you to know about him.
He was born on Dec 1, 1934 and grew up on what his family called “The Hill” in and up behind where the former Brent Inn (Salt Pond Legion once stood). He loved it so much there where his family ran a farm and worked in the woods. It’s where Ed discovered his love for Newfoundland’s incredible natural beauty. He spent countless days fishing the rivers, and ponds, walking its barrens and marshes hunting, or berry picking, or harvesting timber. He loved watching the sun rise on the hills and waters of Newfoundland, and if you were one of his hunting or fishing partners, or worked alongside him, he would like you to know how much he loved those days.
Ed was the oldest of Frank & Mary (Minnie) Brenton’s family, and he so cherished his brothers Joe, John (deceased), Earl, and Franklin for their hardiness and humor, and his beloved sisters, Helen, Joan, and Margaret for their strength, decency, and kindness.
He worked for years for N.C Hutton Ltd. managing a warehouse in Burin which is now the Oldest Colony Trust building and one day in 1963 in P.A White’s general store he met a pretty and fiery redhead named Helen (Dober). They fell in love and were married for 55 years. He leaves his dear wife Helen behind now and he would tell you that she’s just a fiery as ever.
Together Ed and Helen raised 3 children; John, Cindy and Gayle. Being a Dad was Ed’s most cherished role, and his family would like you to know that he was really good at it. He was devoted to his children and his family and when they needed anything to support their education and growth he did all he could to provide it. Mostly though, Ed gave his children including his nieces and nephews his love and his time. From shuffling kids to Hockey and soccer practice, girl guides, swimming lessons, sea cadets, concerts, sporting events, he could be relied upon to get you there on time and be there to pick you up afterward. He taught his children to love nature and the things that Newfoundland offered, things like salt fish for breakfast, a cast net full of capelin, a rousting game of cards, the joy of music and singing, the kindness of its people, trout fishing on a river, a ski-doo ride in the country, or cooking Sunday dinner for his family and friends which included his one memorable ritual, a single drink of whiskey and water as he prepared it.
He later worked at the Marystown Shipyard and he valued the work that he did there and well as work he did on shipyards in Saint John, Pictou, and Halifax.
He was so proud to watch his children get their education and grow up to have successful careers and raise their own families. Edward was a grandfather four times over with Zack and Mackenzie Brenton, Ryan Smith, and Nicholas Mallay all having known the joy of Poppy’s love, kindness, and devotion. His unofficial 5th grandchild was his niece Megan Farrell. He loved her so very much and she filled his life with Joy, she helped care for him in his final days and her presence along with that of his daughters Cindy and Gayle and his sister in law Betty Farrell made him laugh and smile to the end.
Ed developed a lifelong joy of the pursuit of knowledge and made a point to read everything he could get his hands on. He especially loved stories about Newfoundland and its history, stories of past tragedies, adventures and tales of exploration. He loved to learn things and he loved to teach you things whether you wanted to learn about them or not. Most of all Ed enjoyed great conversations and because of his love of knowledge he could carry on an informed conversation on just about any topic, and whether he agreed with you or not he was simply delighted just to be talking with you.
He fondly remembered the countless hours he passed with his sons in law and friends Jim Mallay and Glenn Smith who he thought so highly of and who’s friendship he valued so very much.
The past few summers he visited his son John and his partner Shannon Forgeron in Nova Scotia where he loved to go bass fishing, eat lobster, and to take in the beauty of the province. Memories that are so cherished now by these loved ones he leaves behind.
In his final weeks he received sound and compassionate healthcare from the fine people who worked at the Burin Peninsula Health Centre, and Eastern Health. Ed’s family would especially like to thank those who provided some of that care, Dr. Rollands, Jennifer Barter, Joann Mayo and Dawn Brown-Parsons and the family especially wish to acknowledge Carol Ann Riggs and her colleagues for carrying out Dad’s final wishes, with professionalism, compassion, and grace. Thank you to Megan Farrell who helped care for him in his final weeks and her presence along with that of his daughters Cindy and Gayle, his wife Helen and his sister in law Betty Farrell made him laugh and smile to the end.
Edward was a very avid reader and has practically read every book at the Burin Library. In Edward’s memory and honor donations may be made to Burin Memorial Public Library – monetary or new and used books are all gratefully accepted. (PO Box 219 Burin Bay Arm, NL A0E 1G0)
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Wiseman’s Funeral Homes – Burin.
“Our Family Serving Your Family”
www.wisemansfh.ca
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Edward Ed Brenton Thursday January 14th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Burin, Province: T-N