John Clayton Cotton
1949-2021
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the
course.” Timothy 4:7
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the death
of our husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, John Clayton
Cotton, age 72, of Little Judique. Johnny to most, Dad and Grandpa to
the rest, passed bravely on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 surrounded by the
love of his family. Raised as a proud Judiquer with deep Inverness
roots, he was a graduate of both St. FX and Mount Saint Vincent
Universities. Though he spent his professional life working tirelessly
for his county as the Director of Recreation, Tourism and Adult
Education, he was splendidly tickled to take a well-earned but early
retirement to focus on his enduring obsession, golf.
Loving nothing more than lively debate or moneyed wagers,
Johnny was a fierce competitor regardless of the endeavour be it
sport, religion or politics. Weaned at the Inverness Raceway, he was
also a lifelong, passionate fan of harness racing. Acutely community
minded, he was always ready to lend a helping hand to his vast
community of esteemed family and friends.
Johnny is survived by his beloved best friend and wife of 45
years, Cathy; his doting children Chris (Candra, Halifax), Jonathan
(Cassandra, PEI), Leigha (Sheridan, Halifax), David (Amanda, Halifax)
and Kalyn (Mike, Kingston, ON); his cherished grandchildren Ewan,
Liam, William, Alistair, Elizabeth, Kate, Tess, Hattie, Isla, Andi,
Leo and his namesake, Jack; his treasured aunt, Anna; and, his valued
siblings Frank (Diane), Ethel and Danny. He was predeceased by his
parents, Richard and Tess, his parents-in-law, Colin and Betty
Livingstone, his sister-in-law, Debbie, his godson and nephew,
Jeffery, his nephew, John Colin and his grand-nephew,
Liam.
Visitation will be from 2–4 and 7–9 pm on
Sunday, July 18, 2021 in Port Hood and Area Resting Place. His funeral
mass will be at his home parish of St. Peter’s at 11 am on
Monday, July 19, 2021 followed by internment in the St.
Peter’s Parish cemetery with Father Duncan MacIsaac
officiating. The funeral mass will be live streamed via St.
Peter’s Parish Facebook Page. Arrangements are under the
direction of Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port
Hawkesbury.
We are overwhelmingly humbled by the outpouring of kind
support and prayers. Online condolences may be shared at
www.haverstocks.com.
The family extends its deep, sincere thanks to the staff of
the Strait Richmond Hospital for their kindness to us and, more
importantly, to our father.
Though Johnny’s generous and compassionate nature
developed a litany of worthy causes, memorial donations may be made to
the Strait Richmond Hospital Palliative Care Society (www.srpalliativecaresociety.ca),
the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (www.osas.ca) or a
charity of your choice.
Dad, may your drives be forever straight and your putts
forever short. You will be profoundly missed.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Clayton Cotton 19492021..
Dennis Haverstocks funeral homes
Death notice for the town of: Port-Hawkesbury, Province: Nova Scotia
My deepest condolences to Cathy and family, I always enjoyed meeting Johnny and sharing our latest news about golf, family and the state of the world. He was a thoughtful considerate gentleman who made people feel netter for knowing him. He will be missed, God Bless
So sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my prayers.
Our deepest condolences to you, Cathy, and to all John’s loving family and dear friends. Words cannot always express explicitly what the heart feels and this is one of those times. Please know
our prayers, thoughts, and love are with you and your family on this difficult journey. Be reassured as you already know, John will remain in your memory and heart, and will be spiritually present to each of you forever in a most endearing and active way.
Our sincerest sympathies,
Gerard, Marcella and Family
Our condolences to all of Johnny’s family and friends. We were blessed to become friends with Johnny and to have got to know some of his wonderful family while we lived in Cape Breton. We will always remember him fondly and as a bright light whenever we reflect upon our years in Nova Scotia.
Rest in peace dear friend and God Bless you.