The
“Farmer” has died. His family, his friends, his
Province and Country have lost a very remarkable person on Monday,
October 4, 2021. The years of Roger’s life are so full or
achievements and successes that it is impossible to list, describe or
even refer to them all. At a special “Thank You”
Dinner in his honour a few years ago the description of his life and
accomplishments covered three type-written pages.
Foremost Roger was always a
farmer. He succeeded with his dairy farm, with blueberries
and strawberries. As a businessman, he engaged in trucking,
auctioneering and a Par 3 Golf Course. As an athlete he
played hockey and softball. He earned many trophies in
curling and golfing. He won speech contests and trophies for
acting, one for the Maritime Provinces.
His service to his community and the
public started as a Cumberland Municipal Councillor in 1958 and did
not end until 1993. During that period he served as a Deputy
Warden, as Chairman of the three school boards, as Minister of the
Crown (Tourism, Housing, Environment, Agriculture and Marketing), as
Deputy-Premier and as 21st Premier of the Province.
The “Farmer” was a member or
officer of numerous clubs and organizations, as well as an Honourary
Member of many others. He received many honours and awards,
including the Distinguished Service Award from the Cumberland Health
Care Foundation and the Paul Harris Fellowship Award from the Rotary
Club of Amherst. In 2005, Dalhousie University awarded him a
Doctor of Laws, for his life-time of service to agriculture in Nova
Scotia.
Since retirement from politics in 1993,
he kept busy once again helping on the farm and with leading the Above
and Beyond Campaign to raise $7.5 million dollars for a new
hospital. Until recently he used his auctioneering skills
for hundreds of charity auctions. For over 25 years he lent
his name and support to the Bacon-Elliott Bursary Program, which was
benefitted over 70 students. He has setup and funded the
Clara Bacon Bursary Fund, which has assisted hospital employees to
upgrade their education.
It is a key and persistent
characteristic of Roger’s life that he has forever credited and
thanked others for his successes and accomplishments. At the top of
the list was always his beloved wife, friend, partner and soul mate
Clara. They supported each other and were devoted to each
other for 68 years until her death in 2013. Roger was born
in 1926, the youngest of 8 children of Clinton and Lillie
Bacon. He was predeceased by all of his
siblings.
He is survived and will be sorely missed
by his three children, Douglas (Diane); Diana (Bruce) Saunders and
Deborah (Cecil, deceased) Carter; grandchildren, Jason Bacon; Adam
(Denise) Bacon, Patricia (Henry) Auchnie, Andrea Jackson, Celine
Theriault, Christa Doncaster and Amy (Christian) McGraw; 13 great
grandchildren. Roger’s family is deeply grateful to Marjorie
Milner and Laura Allen as well as the caregivers from Lean on Me
Assisted Living Services. He was deeply loved by all in his
family and greatly admired as the many large family reunions that took
place at his farm. Roger loved people. He had a large circle
of friends. He will be missed far and wide.
Arrangements are under the care and
guidance of Jones Family Funeral Centre,
70 Church Street, Amherst (902-667-8777), where visiting hours will be
held on Thursday, October 7, 2021 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm.
The funeral service will be held at the Trinity St. Stephen United
Church, Amherst on Friday, October 8, 2021 at 2 pm. Burial
will take place at the Amherst Cemetery next to his beloved
Clara.
In keeping with COVID-19 Restrictions,
all people attending visiting hours and the funeral will be required
to provide proof of Double Vaccination and Government ID in order to
enter the funeral home or church. Masks must be worn at all
times.
Those wishing to make a donation, may do
so to the Clara Bacon Fund at the Cumberland Health Care Foundation or
to the Bacon-Elliott Bursary Fund of the Cumberland North PC
Scholarship Society
Sharing of memories and condolences may
be sent to the family by visiting the online memorial at
www.jonesfamilyfuneralcentre.ca or through the Jones Family Funeral Centre
Facebook Page.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of The Honourable Roger Stuart Bacon LL D Hon 1926 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Amherst, Province: Nova Scotia