Obituary for
John Robert Ballard
Ballard, John Robert, P. Eng. – Age 79, Truro, died August 23, 2022, in the Halifax Infirmary. Born March 23, 1943, in Turner Valley, Alberta, he was the son of the late Carl and Teresa (Rimmer) Ballard.
Besides his parents, John was predeceased by his sisters, Ann and Catherine. He is survived by his wife, Judy (Duffin), Truro, NS, and their six children, Carl (Monique), Truro, NS; Rob (Julie), Bathurst, NB; Joe (Melanie), Truro; Rose (Steve), Ottawa, ON; Janet, Belleville, ON; and John (Melissa), Truro, as well as his sisters, Frances, Edmonton, AB; Sheila (Gordon), Edmonton, AB; and Carla (Bill), Calgary, AB; fourteen grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
John received his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Alberta in 1968. After graduation, he accepted his first assignment with the Iron Ore Company of Canada in Labrador City, NL. It was there that he started a car wash – the first of many business ventures with his friend and fellow engineer, Peter Kohler. The proud Albertan continued to find prospects in the east as he worked for a brief period at the Belledune fertilizer plant near Bathurst, NB, followed by several years in Sept-Iles, QC, once again with the IOC. With a growing family he also found time to launch the city’s first fast food restaurant, an A&W franchise. His final movement eastward brought him to the Truro area in 1977, where he and Peter began a cellulose insulation manufacturing facility (Kohler International Ltd.). The pair initiated several other ventures including Balkoh Window MFG in 1982 (now Kohltech Windows and Entrance Systems), and another A&W franchise in Charlottetown, PE. Then, in 1985, John purchased the struggling but iconic furniture manufacturer, Dominion Chair Co., of Bass River. Continuing entries and exits in these and a diversity of other businesses may have produced a reputation as a serial entrepreneur, but John’s greatest interest laid in how things work – a gift of his childhood that was advanced by his training as a mechanical engineer. He kept in touch with his fellow U of A engineering graduates right up to his final days bravely battling diabetes and its complications. His grandchildren elicited in him a tremendous pride – the mere mention of one of their names was sufficient to kindle his eyes and generate a quick smile: Aidan, Elyssa, Heather, Philip, Maxime, Alexandre, Marie-Eve, Felix, Mathias, Benjamin, Sophie, Emily, Beau, and Thea.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro, NS from where visitation will be held on Sunday, August 28th, from 6-8pm. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, August 29th at 11am in the Immaculate Conception Church, 669 Prince St., Truro, NS, Father Andrew Rembarczyk officiating. Donations in John’s memory may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada or to Immaculate Conception Parish. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ColchesterCommunity.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Robert
Ballard 1943 2022..
colchester community funeral home
Death notice for the town of: Truro, Province: Nova Scotia