Obituary of J. Howard Laffin, Lingan

John Howard Laffin

Lingan

 

With heavy hearts we, the family of John Howard Laffin, age 88, wish to announce his peaceful passing on August 4, 2018.

"Howard" was the youngest son of the late John Hilary and Nellie (MacIntosh) Laffin of Lingan.

Born in 1930, Howard was a lifetime resident of Lingan, well respected in both church and community. Howard was employed as a heavy machine operator, #12 colliery 1950 – 1990 and  Devco , Glace Bay Machine Shop 1965- 1990.

He was active in local horse racing, pigeon racing and he enjoyed his flower and vegetable gardens.

Howard was a quiet and gentle man; private and shy by nature. Never married, he helped his sister, Mary, raise five small children after the death of her husband. Those five children will be forever grateful for his presence in their lives.

Howard is survived by his sister, Marguerite Collins, Sydney, Mary’s children, Patricia “Patsy” (Cyril) MacKinnon, New Waterford, John (Joan) MacAulay, Shubenacadie, Laurel (Michael) McDonald, Edmonton, Ivan (Mary Ann) MacAulay, New Waterford and Ruth MacAulay, Sydney River. He was a favourite uncle to 14 nieces and nephews and countless grandnieces and nephews.

Howard was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, Patrick, Harold and sister, Mary MacAulay. Special thank you to his nephew, Pat Laffin, Lingan for his support. Also a special thank you to the staff of Spanish Bay , Harbourstone Enhanced care, who looked after Howard with compassion in his final years.

Visitation for Howard will be held on Thursday August 9th, 2018 from 2-4 and 6-8 in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. A funeral mass will be held on Friday August 10th at 10 am  in the Parish of St. Leonard Church, Mount Carmel Avenue, New Waterford, with Fr. Paul McGilivray and Fr. Ray Huntley officiating.

Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Lingan. A luncheon will be held in St. Leonard’s Parish Hall, Convent St, New Waterford.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Howard’s memory may be made to St. Joseph’s Cemetery Fund, Lingan c/o St. Leonard Church, New Waterford.

Howard was a very special and much loved gentleman.

Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.