Obituary of Gary Wadden, Albert Bridge

It is with shattered hearts and deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband, brother, uncle, nephew and friend, Gary Arthur Wadden, 57, of Albert Bridge. Gary passed away on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Mira, NS, his favourite place on earth.

Born May 5^th, 1965, Gary was raised in Reserve Mines until the age of twelve, moving then to Albert Bridge with his family where he would call home for the rest of his life.

Gary was a lover of all outdoor activities from snowmobiling to boating. He was most happy out on the Mira, on his boat, the ‘Sotally Tober’, with his wife and friends. Gary was in awe of the beautiful sunsets we saw on our way home from an evening on the water. We both felt so blessed.

Gary was a certified Scuba Diver who had great joy diving for scallops with his friends at English town in his early days. He was a competitive, accomplished ball player who played better the tougher the game was to win. He was a member of the County Line Shooters team who went on to win the SPN Maritime championship in 2000.

Gary gave back to his community as a Volunteer Fire Fighter with the Albert Bridge Fire Department and was diver on the search and rescue team.

In recent years, Gary played Fun Darts at the Mira Boat Club where he enjoyed great friends and had lots of laughs and fun.

Gary was obsessed with the two eagles that nested on the tree, not far from the house. He watched them have multiple babies over the years and loved to watch the babies grow and learn to fly.

The other obsession Gary had was his hair. He loved his mullet and no matter the comments or the teasing, he didn’t waver. “Business in the front, party in the back”.

Gary was employed with Brilun construction as a red seal carpenter for the past 20 years. He had a career that he truly loved, and it showed in his work. Gary was forever grateful for the support and generosities shown by his employer and co-workers throughout his illness last year. He was a proud member of Local 1588 carpenters’ union.

After Gary survived his first health episode in January 2022, he worked tirelessly to get back to the new normal as fast as possible. He suffered left side paralysis from the two strokes he had but he didn’t’ let that get him down. He went to therapy every week and was constantly exercising at home. He had the most positive and loving attitude and was pleasant to be around all the time. He was so grateful to all that cared for him from the QEII, the Regional Hospital and Harbour View Rehab Center. We were making life plans until the very end which made his passing that much harder.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Carol Anne Drake; his sisters, Donna (Richie) MacNeil, Alberta; Edith Ann, Mira; brothers Frank (Debbie), Glace Bay; Rob, Reserve; and Tom (Paula), Antigonish; and Aunts, Catherine (Scott), Glace Bay; Florence Rhoads, California; Emeline Strong, Glace Bay, Doris (Pat) Head, Ontario and Uncle, Murray Wadden, Glace Bay; he is survived by many nieces and nephews.  He is especially missed by his 2 constant companions, little Yorkies, Kate and Ally.

Gary was predeceased by his parents Harold and Georgina Wadden and his brother Donnie Wadden.

“Lives are like rivers. Eventually they go where they must.

Not where we want them.”

Cremation has taken place under the direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, Glace Bay.

Celebration of Life to be held at the Mira Boat Club, 545 Hillside Rd, Albert Bridge on Saturday, May 13^th, 2023, from 2-4 p.m.

On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca