Obituary of John Phalen, Glace Bay

John Edward Phalen Glace Bay/ Sydney It is with great sadness that we announce that on January 21, 2020, John Edward Phalen of Sydney, Nova Scotia, passed away at the age of 96 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. John was born in Glace Bay on February 26, 1923 and was the son of the late John George and Mary (Currie) Phalen. John served in the Canadian Air Force during WW II and was a member of the Sydney Legion. He worked in Halifax and Sydney for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company as District Manager. He was an honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus in Glace Bay. John was an avid sportsman throughout his life enjoying skating, curling and golf. On two different occasions he sunk a hole in one at Lingan Golf Club. He was a passionate sport fisherman and spent many days salmon fishing in the pools of the Margaree River. John and his wife Betty had a fondness for traveling and enjoyed many winters in Florida. John is survived by a daughter Maureen (Paul) Arp, Fredericton, N.B.; grandsons Peter (Helene), John Paul and Alexander; great grandsons Magnus, Thor and Eirik; sister Geraldine (Enso) Antonello; brother Gerard (Chrissie) as well as several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents and an infant son, who died at birth, John was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth (Woodford) Phalen. He was also predeceased by brothers Joseph and Cecil; sisters Bernice, Regis, Shirley and Germaine. Special thank you to the staff of Harbourstone Enhanced Care Facility and The Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Palliative Care Unit for their wonderful care. A special thank you to Cindy Selvet, John’s caregiver, for her care, compassion and kindness to John for the past 6 years. Cremation has taken place. A funeral mass will be held at 10 am Saturday, January 25, 2020 at St. Anne’s Church, Main St. Glace Bay, with a reception to follow in the foyer. Fr. Duaine Devereaux presiding. A memorial donation may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia. Arrangements entrusted to V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, Chapel & Reception Centre, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay. On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca