FORD – John Willard, 82, of Kempt, Queens County, passed away on March 15th, 2021 in Queens General Hospital, Liverpool, NS.
Born in Kempt, John was a son of the late Harry and Melissa (Rowter).
In the early days of his career, John worked at a number of jobs before being hired by Parks Canada as the maintenance supervisor at the newly created Kejimkujik National Park in the early 70’s where he worked until his retirement. John was very active in his community and served on the board of directors for the North Queens Nursing Home for 17 years as well as being a member of the NS Woodlot Association. John was a member of many fraternal organizations: Mechanics Lodge #78 AF & AM, Caledonia, Royal Arch Masons; Rossignol Chapter #6, Liverpool, Austin Bentley Council #15, Annapolis Royal, Shriners Philae Temple and 33rd Degree Scottish Rite, Halifax, Eastern Star (charter member) Pearle Chapter #71, Caledonia.
John had many interests mostly centered around his love for the outdoors. He and his brother, Howard spent many hours together over the years tending to their trap lines, tanning the hides and selling them. In later years, they could often be found together out in the garage working on one car or another. John also spent a lot of time with his brother-in-law, Murray travelling to Newfoundland together for a successful moose hunt. John spent a lot of time at the cabin on the Medway River with Murray, along with anyone else they could gather up, hunting, fishing and telling tall tales.
Upon retirement, John set out to build and operate a portable sawmill from scratch, logging and yarding out logs. Over the years, he sawed some beautiful lumber with that mill.
John is survived by his sister Marilyn Rawding, brother Howard (Anna). John was not only an uncle, but also a mentor to his nephew Brent, nieces Faye Heck, Sandra (Stacey) and daughter, Samantha Symonds, Heather and son, Riley Cook. When Rosamond lost her husband, John stepped in and served as a father figure for her two daughters (and his nieces) Jocelyn (Doug) son Patrick and daughter Kimberly Drane and Cheryl (Paul) Raftus. He will be sorely missed.
John was predeceased by his sister Rosamond Telfer.
Arrangements are under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral Home, Liverpool. A graveside funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. in Pine Grove Cemetery, Kempt, NS. Family flowers only. Donations may be made to the North Queens Fire Department or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made to www.chandlersfuneral.com.
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Patsy & Arthur Conrad
Condolences to the Ford family on the loss of your brother John.R.I.P. John
Bill and Leora Cavanagh
Bill and i would like to send our condolences to his family . We will miss him as he made many stops at our camp on the Rosette Road . Rest in peace John and you will always be remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing you .
David & Judy Whynott of mersey point
I am very sorry to hear of the loss of brother John. He was always a pleasure to chat with at lodge or on the street.john will be missed by all his brother masons but never forgotten.bless all his family and friends.
Vernon & Joyce Hawkes
Our condolences to Marilyn and Howard and all the family. Treasure the Memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Brett Uhlman
I will truly miss our chats about milling! Much love to you in this hard time
John Veinot
Very sorry to hear of John’s passing and I extend our deepest condolences to his family.
John was always able to spin a yarn or offer some words of wisdom when I has an opportunity to talk with him. The wealth of practical knowledge he had was impressive and his willingness to share it was appreciated.
John and Debbie Veinot
Glenetta Anthony
What can I say. John was a wonderful friend to both Dick and I. I will surely miss him and I’m sure you will. Please remember he’s able to do as he wants to now. God will help you through this. You have a wonderful family. This helps. No one knows this better than I. Thank you, God bless you all now and always.
Barbara Weagle
To Howard, Marilyn, and families. So sorry to hear of Johns passing. I’m sure you will have lots of good memories. He certainly did lots of interesting things. My thoughts are with you all.
Wendy Whelan
So sorry to hear about your loss, John was an awesome guy who made a huge impact on many lives. He was a big part of my life growing up and when I got married gave me my first lawnmower that I treasure, dated 1926. Hugs and prayers to all the family❤️
Jennifer Frail
All of John’s Family
Please accept my deepest condolences my heart is broke I had many conversations with John and throughly enjoyed talking with him, a very wise man,I will miss that devilish grin and the twinkle in your eye I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know you. Rest Easy My Dear Friend .
Tom and Sheila Sheppard
So sorry to hear about John. Our thoughs are with you.
Terry &Sheila DeLong
We have known John for all our lives & heard many stories. You could see him early in the morning driving back roads to check on his property. RIP John.
Patsy & Arthur Conrad
To the Ford Family, so sorry to hear of Johns passing,he will be missed by those who knew him.R.I.P. John
frank chipman
Sorry to hear of John’s passing. We spoke just a couple of weeks past. A fine gentleman.
royce
In times of sorrow, we must celebrate all that is good. John will be missed by many but the memories he made with all the Ford family and throughout the communities that he touched with his friendship are surely everlasting treasures. Gather at the river and feel the gentle breezes flow, may God grant you peace as you reflect on the wisdom John has shared with all.
Pastor Royce Getson
Arlyn & Jeanette Turner
Deepest sympathy to Howard and Families. Our thoughts are with you.
Suzanne Carver Frail
Sorry to hear of John’s passing. A very nice man. Had many conversations with him over the years. Condolences to the family.
Jeannette Lewis
My thoughts and prayers go out to John’s family
My condolence Jeannette Lewis
John LEEFE
John was a most interesting man by every measure. He will be greatly missed, but fondly remembered by his many friends and especially by his brother masons.
Mary Herron
To the Ford and Rowter families, and all the folks whose lives were touched by John. Sincere condolences to you. John has been there my whole life. I can not imagine how much he will be missed. I trust he can rest in peace. (Mary DeLong)
Kay Telfer
I was so saddened to hear of John,s passing. My condolences go out to Marilyn,Howard Cheryl.Jocelyn and all the family,
John was a real friend to many.and will be deeply missed,
May he Rest In Peace.
Myrna Crouse
My deepest sympathy to John’s family. We use to have quite the conversations when he’d come in the bank on pay day. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during these difficult days. Blessings!
Myrna
Joanne Harnetg
So sad to hear of John’s passing. I remember my bull dog , Boots was in a trap and John helped me and Kevin Anthony get his paw out and he drove us all home..a kind man..
Vaughn & Kathy Rawding
Sorry to hear of John’s passing, condolences to all the family.
Faye and Jack
Our deepest condolences to Howard, Anna and family on the loss is his brother John. Thoughts and prayers are with all
Faye and Jack Calder
Hayward & Leota Meisner
To the family of John Ford. It is with a heavy heart that we hear of John’s passing. He was a true measure of a man and a Freemason. May it be his portion to hear……” well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the glory of God.”
David and Joyce Biggs
Marilyn, so sorry for your loss. I remember that Dad and I were fortunate enough to go out to the camp with John and Murray. John took me for a ride in his cut down vw bug. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this time
Donna Grant
Dear Marilyn: So sorry to hear of John’s passing. Sincere condolences to you and all of John’s family & friends.
Mary Anne Eisener
To Marilyn, Howard and families,
There are many fond memories of our time with John and his many tales at the camp over the years. He was a wonderful friend to Mom and Dad (Harold and Betty) and I can be certain they are together have a chat today.
May your wonderful memories shine through the sorrow and be a comfort to you at this time.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Ray and Mary Anne Eisener (Veinot)
Wilfred, Goldie & Angela Burnsd
Dear Marilyn Sending you our DEEPEST of sympathy with the loss of your brother! May your treasured memories bring you comfort at this time! We will keep you in our prayers in the days to come! Sincerely, Wilfred, Goldie & Angela Burns
Cindy Luxton
My deepest condolences for your loss. John will be greatly missed by family and friends – he was a mentor to many, some he was not even aware. My prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Peter and Lorraine Hope
We were sorry to read of John’s passing and offer our sincerest condolences to all the family but especially so to Howard. John was always an interesting person to chat with. His abilities to fix or build things made him a wonderful Jack of All Trades craftsperson.. He will be missed.
Leigh and Cathy Merry
We were sad to hear of Johns passing. May he RIP
Glen DeMond
Howard, Anna, Marilyn and families:
Very sorry to learn of John,s passing. I only got to know John after my retiring, returning to home 30 years ago. He was most interesting to listen to ,telling about his logging, saw mill operations and stories of earlier years and the present.
He will also be missed from the community. May God,s blessing be with you all.
Glen
Barbara springer
Ed and I want to offer our condolences to Marilyn, Howard and Anna, and all of John’s wonderful family. He will always be a part of us. God bless him R.I.P. John
Norman and Bonnie
Sincere condolences to the family.
Christine and Dwight Mansfield
So very sorry to hear of John’s passing rest assured he’s happy somewhere telling his stories with family and friends Hugs to all….
Steven Ringer and Family
So sorry to hear of Johns’ passing. I grew up almost across the road from him. He used to let me Atv and Snowmobile on the roads behind his house. He was a good man. He will be missed by all. RIP John
Dorothy Butler
Condolences to the Ford family. I’m the youngest of Gerald & Myrtle (Luxton) Spurr’s family, and never lived in Kempt, but, I have always heard the stories. I spoke with John at my Uncle Roscoe’s funeral – he was happy to meet me, because he knew my older siblings. Thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Dennis & Sharon Wills
So sorry to hear of John’s passing . Our sympathy goes out to all the Families and our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. He was a wonderful guy and will be missed by all who knew him.. Love and Hugs,
Dennis & Sharon
Reg Kendrick
Was sad to hear today on my trip to my camp in mill lake road of johns passing. Will miss the yarns I had with him most every fall over the last 40 odd years. The last being in his kitchen the fall before he had to go in the nursing home. My condolences to the family
Marcus Waddington
Please acceot my most sincere condolences at this sad time. A great loss. The archival footage illustratiing his life is one of the most beautiful films of a person who is part of his environment, totally at ease with the natural world .And his family. Such a dedicated and loyal person. .Such talent. I love the shot of him making the boardwalk in the Park. I walked on that boardwalk with my boys and Gail many a time.I wish I had known him better. But knowing that he was Rose’s brother really tells me so much. I feel a deep humility watching this film. Thank you so much for sharing it. It gives me much to think about. I feel privileged. to have been able to see a very little of what was his world in North Queens.
Rick Allen
So sorry to hear of Johns passing today and my condolences to all of his family . John made friends with a lot people and after meeting him I knew why . Loved his story telling and just having a chat was inspiring . John will be missed by the whole community .
Marion and Blair Baxter
Sorry to hear of John’s passing. Condolences to the family.
George & Pat
So sorry to hear of John’s passing , ….he was a gentle man with a strong ,hardy laugh & many
stories to tell…..we so enjoyed our visits with him when we passed thru the area …
He will be missed …
Fondly remembered
George & Pat