BRIDGER, Anna "Marie"
The Chronicle Herald, Halifax, October 5, 2015
(February 17, 1932 - October 3, 2015)
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our cherished mother, Anna Marie (Benoit) Bridger, 83, on October 3rd, 2015. Born in Stephenville Crossing, Newfoundland, she was the daughter of William and Jessie (Lucas) Benoit. Marie, as she was always known, settled in Dartmouth with husband Gerald and family in 1965 and has lived here since that time. Marie was a devout Roman Catholic, and her life was devoted to the care of her small family. She was a woman of many talents, and it is her endless dedication to her family that her small circle of friends will remember most about her. Sewing, baking, reading, and doing jigsaw puzzles were a few of the simple pleasures she enjoyed in her home. Surviving are daughters, Denysé Marie and Desireé (John) Smith, both of Dartmouth. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 50 years Gerald, and her only son, Gary, as well as nine siblings and her parents. Cremation has taken place. On-line condolences at www.coleharbourfuneral.com

HARDING, Kenneth "George"
The Chronicle Herald, Halifax, October 23, 2015
(February 11, 1932 - October 21, 2015)
HARDING, Kenneth "George" age 83 of Dartmouth, passed away on October 21, 2015 in Oakwood Terrace. Born in Little Bay West, Newfoundland, he was a son of the late Effie (Rose) and Frank Harding. George worked for the Halifax Bridge Commission for 38 years. He always loved to travel with Dot, especially to tropical destinations. He also enjoyed playing pool and golfing. He is survived by his wife Dorothy "Dot"; daughter Judy (Bob) Pettipas; sons Ken (Donna), and Jerry; grandchildren, Michael and Tara Pettipas, Jennifer and Derek Harris, Ryan, Andrew, and Joanne Harding; great grandson Zachary Harris, all of Dartmouth. He is also survived by his sister Maude Mullins, NL; sister in law Hazel Harding, Dartmouth; brothers Ralph (Jessie),Dartmouth, Lloyd (Betty), NL and many nieces and nephews. George was predeceased by his sister Phoebe Strowbridge; and brother Eric.

Visitation will be held on Monday October 26 from 12-2pm in Atlantic Funeral Home, 771 Main Street, Dartmouth. The funeral service will take place immediately following visitation at 2pm in the funeral home chapel, Rev. Josh Trombley officiating. Burial in Dartmouth Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia. Special thanks to the staff of "C" unit at Oakwood Terrace for the excellent care given to our Dad. Online condolence may be made by visiting the Dartmouth Chapel at www.atlanticfuneralhomes.com

This obituary may be of interest to anyone researching the Johnson family from Northern Bay, Newfoundland.
McKENZIE, James Robert
The Chronicle Herald, Halifax, Nova Scotia, October 31, 2015
(December 21, 1930 - October 28, 2015)
It is with open hearts that we announce the passing of James Robert McKenzie. Born December 21, 1930 in Glasgow, Scotland, Jim was a proud Scot and a prouder Canadian. Any sadness in his passing is tempered with the knowledge that he lived his life fully and bravely, surrounded by the children, grandchildren and friends he held so dear. Born to Janet and Robert McKenzie, he was predeceased by his brothers and sisters, Bobby, Billy, John, Jenny, Margaret and Donny. He emigrated to Canada in 1953 through Quebec City, travelling on to Toronto where he settled. There he met the love of his life, Genevieve Johnson, a Newfoundlander from Northern Bay. They married in 1957. Together they had three children, Sandra (Wade Furey), Michele (Chris Witkowski), and James (Colleen Janes). He lost Genevieve to cancer in 1963, and he credited the Johnson family for holding his small family together while he grieved. He is predeceased on the Johnson side of the family by Margaret (Wally) Burns, Caroline (Patrick) Hinchey, Phil (Marguerite) Johnson, Anne (Gerry) Eagan, Winifred (Robert) Devane, and is survived by Peter (Judy) Johnson.

He married Anne Wilson in 1967 and the newly assembled family moved to Nova Scotia, where the family thrived. Although he and Anne eventually travelled separate paths he was grateful that their union kept the McKenzie family together. Anne and her husband Bob Valiquette are loved dearly and stay active in the lives of their children and grandchildren.

Jim worked in and loved the insurance business. He grew from Hamilton Branch Manager with the Continental Insurance Company, to Atlantic Branch Manager with Continental, and Atlantic Branch Manager with Mutual of Omaha. He retired as a General Insurance Agent in his own company, James R McKenzie Insurance Ltd. As he eased into retirement, he worked with the Dartmouth Chamber of Commerce and immensely enjoyed working to grow MediaPro, his son's first independent business. Jim was an avid reader, often reading three books a week, and a committed soccer fan. He loved his daily jaunts to see his friends at the Buffalo Club and the Somme Branch Legion #31. He also loved poetry and would often break out into recitations of the works of Robert Burns. He had a wonderful singing voice and a great sense of humor. His rendition of 'Danny Boy' was a favorite and became a command performance at family gatherings.

His humour never failed - still telling jokes from his deathbed. He loved music, and danced beautifully right into his eighties. Jim also loved the English language and did not like to hear it misused. He wouldn't hesitate to correct improper grammar no matter the situation or the speaker. His children were regularly quizzed on the dictionary for word origin, pronunciation and proper meaning. In 2014 his immigration to Canada was honoured with the installation of a plaque at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. He took pride in the accomplishments of his children, his "beautiful, talented, perfect" grandchildren, and their wide circle of friends. He is lovingly remembered by Nicole (John Pozeg), Philip and Danielle d'Entremont; Evan, Jenna and Connor Furey; and Brooke and Blaire McKenzie. He wanted them to know he will always watch over them. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and extended family connected not only by blood lines but love lines especially Marcel and Julien d'Entremont and their families. Jim left this world confident in what awaited him. He was looking forward to a Johnson family kitchen party complete with a Newfie Jiggs dinner, card games and good scotch. Most anticipated was his long awaited time to see Genevieve again. He wanted the world to know that "God was good to him when He gave him Genny Johnson". Dad, it gives us great comfort that you are together again.

Cremation is taking place under the direction of Dartmouth Funeral Home. A funeral mass will take place on Monday, November 2nd at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peters Parish in Dartmouth. At his request, a celebration will be held on Sunday, November 1st at the Mic Mac AAC starting at 7 p.m. All are welcome. The family want to send their heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and staff of Cardiac ICU and Unit 7.1 If angels walk the earth, we have met them at the Halifax Infirmary. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to World Vision. Jim annually donated to global relief efforts in honour of his beloved grandchildren. We will continue this tradition. Online condolences by visiting www.dartmouthfuneralhome.ca
"O, wad some Power the giftie gie us, To see oursels as others see us! Robert Burns
We see you Jim McKenzie, for the loving, kind and giving man that you were. God sees you too, and welcomes you to his home.

VERRAN, Harry James
The Chronicle Herald, Halifax, October 20, 2015
(July 6, 1930 - October 18, 2015)
VERRAN, Harry James - It is with sadness, the family of Harry James Verran, of Meadowvale, Annapolis Co. announces his passing on Sunday, October 18, 2015 at age 85. Harry was born on July 6, 1930 in Placentia Nfld. to the late Josephine (Byrne) and James Verran. Harry was devoted to his loving wife Connie of 61 years and family who were the pride and joy of his life. He Joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1949 and served proudly for twenty years. As a photographer he served on the HMCS Bonaventure and the HMCS Magnificent. During his military career, Harry became one of the premiere long distance runners in the Atlantic region. He participated in the Boston Marathon twice finishing as the third top Canadian in thirty-second place overall in 1955. His trophy case was lined with reminders of this successful career. He retired in 1969 to Bridgetown in the beautiful Annapolis Valley where he established Western Valley Photo Studios, which he operated successfully for many years.

With his good friend and fellow runner, Bobby Lockett, he was a common sight on the highways and byways of the Annapolis Valley roads. It was during this time he became involved in youth sport and was instrumental in the building of the Bridgetown Arena as well as coaching and organizing minor hockey, minor lacrosse and youth track and field (with good friend Dick Campbell). During the 1970's Harry also established and helped coach a senior hockey team, the Bridgetown Hawks, of the Nova Scotia Senior Hockey League. In 2013 Harry was proud to be inducted into the Bridgetown Sports Hall of Fame with a Life Time Achievement award for his many years of service as an athlete, a coach and a builder.

In the early1970's he began his political career by accepting a position as Executive Assistant to the provincial Minister of Finance (Peter Nicholson). He then became a field worker and organizer for the Nova Scotia Liberal Party. In 1993 Harry successfully ran a campaign to become the Member of Parliament for Southwest Nova. He worked tirelessly for the people of western Nova Scotia until 1997. Upon officially leaving political life, he continued to enjoy meeting and talking to people about current issues and spent precious time with his family which includes seven married children, twenty-seven grandchildren and twenty-nine great grandchildren. Over the last few years he and Connie have been a regular fixture at the Windsor Arena for all junior "B" games, to watch their star player and grandson Colin Gillis perform.

Family was always the most important thing in Harry's life and he was most happy and proud when he was in the company of his "little ones" who affectionately called him Poppy. He was predeceased by his infant brother Leo; infant grandson Bruce Harry (John and Debbie) and son-in-law Mark MacFarlane (Margie). He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Connie. Three sisters Alicia of Phoenix Az.; Kay of Madison Wis.; Mary of Placentia Nfld. Seven children: Cathy (Paul) McGuire of Kingston; John (Debbie) Verran of Meadowvale; Joanne (Bronson) Rafuse of Bridgetown; Jim (Tammy) Verran of Bridgetown; Margie MacFarlane of Wilmot; Gerry (Patti) Verran of Yarmouth; Alice (Greg) Gillis of Middleton twenty-seven grandchildren; Colleen McGuire (Brian Conrod) of Wilmot; Patrick McGuire (Marijo Aguilera) of Minneapolis Minn.; Daniel McGuire (Victoria) of Kentville; Connor McGuire (Bronwen) of Wilmot; Mark McGuire (Sarah) of Stephenville Nfld.; Kevin McGuire (Mariel Bent) Waterville Ma.; Kyna (Ryan) Andrews of Auburn; J.J. (Sarah) Verran of North Bay Ont.; Adam (Elizabeth) Verran of Tremont; Kirk (Jenise) Verran of Dartmouth; Luke (Lindsay) Verran of Greenwood; Kaitlyn (Sean) Simms of Meadowvale; Melissa (Ian) Lockhart of Kentville; Alycia Reynolds of Bridgetown; Petra Rafuse of Halifax; Gareth Rafuse of Bridgetown; Josh (Rhiannon) Verran of Dartmouth; Jason Verran (Corinne Gervais ) of Virden Man.; Megan (Barrett) Wenckowski of Melvern Square; Andrew Verran of Bridgetown; David MacFarlane of Halifax; Katrina (Matt) Hand of Berwick; Jenna Gillis (Thomas MacDougall) of Hinton Alt.; Carly Gillis of Halifax; Colin Gillis of Middleton; Bradley Verran of Yarmouth; Brenna Verran of Yarmouth.

In keeping with Harry's wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held 6:00PM-8:00PM both Thursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23 in the Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main Street, (902) 825-3448. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 2:00PM, Saturday, October 24, 2015 in St. Monica's Roman Catholic Church, 41 Connaught Avenue, Middleton with Father Jose Thomas officiating assisted by Rev. Deacon Donald Boudreau. A reception for family and friends will follow the service. Interment will follow the reception in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery, Bridgetown. Donations in Harry's memory may be made to Camp Brigadoon. On-line guest book may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com

WELSH, Robert Llewellyn "Robbie"
The Chronicle Herald, halifax, October 20, 2015
(1983 - 2015)
It is with profound sadness that the family of Robert Llewellyn "Robbie" Welsh, 32, of Lunenburg, announces his passing on Friday, October 16, 2015. Born in Stephenville, NL, he was a son of Llewellyn Young, Dartmouth and Claire Welsh (Huck), Onoway, Alberta. Robbie was employed with Adams and Knickle Ltd. Lunenburg as a scallop fisherman on the Chockle Cap. He loved life and lived it to the fullest, but was always the first to lend a hand whenever a friend was in need. He will be sadly missed by all those who received his trademark face licking. Besides his parents, Robbie is survived by his daughter, Mya Welsh and her mother Sherry O'Toole, Lunenburg; step-father, Levi Hanhams, Lunenburg; brothers, Brandon Hanhams (Jessica Hebb), Lunenburg; Shane Hanhams, Lunenburg; Kyler Saunders, Dartmouth; sister, Shawnda Saunders, Dartmouth; grandparents, Blanche Welsh, Bridgewater; Fred and Catherine Hanhams, Lunenburg; nephew, Lucas Hanhams, Montreal. Robbie was predeceased by his grandfather, Robert Welsh and his uncle, Ronald "Doe Doe" Welsh Friends are invited to share their memories of Robbie with his family during visitation on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy. # 3, Lunenburg. and where a funeral service to celebrate Robbie's life will be held Thursday, at 2:00 p.m, Rev. James Haughn officiating. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Lunenburg. Donations in Robbie's memory may be made to the I.W.K. or a charity of your choice.