We, his family, are heartbroken to announce the sudden passing of Eugene Robie Leighton on Friday, September 2, 2022.
Born in Sydney on July 17, 1959, he was the son of the late Robie and Helen (Barkhouse) Leighton.
Raised in the small community of Sydney Forks, Eugene aka Robie had an idealic childhood. He spent his time playing pond hockey, building tree forts, pranking the neighbours with his good buddy, Butch or maybe playing the hub cap game. He was deeply cherished by his family and loved by his many friends. When he wasn’t playing some sport or game, the next place to find him would be shadowing his Dad in the garden planting and harvesting (never weeding!) or cutting and splitting wood, hunting rabbits – attending union meetings…he rarely missed an opportunity to be with his father and learned about life by his side. Eugene participated in various organized sports, including baseball, hockey, badminton, darts, golf and more recently, pickleball. He was a loyal Leafs and Blue Jays fan.
Eugene graduated from Riverview High School and went on to become a certified draftsman and Red Seal Pipefitter. He was a proud member of Local 682 Plumbers and Steamfitters Union for over 30 years. He worked both here at home and across Canada. Eugene loved the outdoors and exploring the backfields on his snowmachines or 4-wheeler. These trips would often include stopping over at his nephew, Patrick’s place to hold the tools while Patrick worked on one machine or another. They had a very special relationship.
Eugene was a hardworking, good, kind and patient man. He received many trophies, awards and accolades throughout his lifetime for his work or sports achievements, however what made him most proud was his family and the friendships that he made everywhere he went.
Eugene is survived by his wife, Teresa (Sheppard), Sydney Forks; daughter, Crystal Dawn Durham, Sydney; sister, Crystal (Terry) Vasello, Sydney Forks; brothers, Kevin (Hazel), Edmonton and Daryl (Linda) Maznick, Peggy’s Cove; granddaughter, Shyann Durham, Sydney; nephew, Patrick (Stacey) Stevens and their daughters, Faith and Cheyenne, Sydney Forks; aunt, Valerie Poole, NB; and many cousins in NS, NB and Ontario.
Visitation will take place at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 from 4-7 pm. Funeral service will be held in the United Protestant Church of Sydney River on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Dana Feltmate officiating. The service can be viewed online by visiting the Sydney Memorial Chapel Facebook page.
Memorials may be made to charity of choice.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Eugene Robie Leighton 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia