Sheldon Nearing, age 92, died peacefully with family by his side at Hospice Cape Breton on April 6th, 2026 (the same date his father died in 1988). Born in Glace Bay on May 28th, 1933, to the late Russell and Helen (Roth) Nearing, Dominion. In his teens, Sheldon kept his eye on a pretty Italian girl from Henry Street. This beautiful lady, Assunta (Sue) Zorzi, became his loving wife on July 1st, 1954, remaining faithfully by his side for the past 72 years.

Even though Sheldon hoped to see the age of 100, for the past 12 years he battled numerous health challenges, including heart attacks, quadruple bypass, and surgery and radiation for cancer. He gave it everything he had until his body could fight no more.

Sheldon began his career at Sobeys in Sydney and rose to the level of Produce Manager. He liked to boast he got many of his friends a job there, including his wife so they could be close. Sheldon worked at Mason’s Wholesale Ltd. for most of his career, travelling the Sydney area to take orders from restaurants and stores for food and supplies. Sheldon had a knack for pointing customers in the direction of items they had not even realized they needed. He retired from Mason’s in 1994.

After retirement, Sheldon had more time to pursue his interests. He was an avid gardener, taking great pride in beautifying his property, and could name every one of the many trees and flowers he had planted over the years. His wooden wheelbarrow, overflowing with colorful flowers at the top of his lawn on Mitchell Avenue, was admired by many. He enjoyed walking his dogs, first Buck and later Max, along Dominion beach. Sheldon found great pleasure going fishing with his late friend, Alvin Seymour. How proud he was to return home with a good feed of trout. Country music and action-packed Western movies were his favorites. Sheldon had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed telling jokes. He was quite the storyteller, regaling tales of his youth and workdays with a dramatic flair. Sheldon enjoyed going to auctions and estate sales with his late sister Johanna Marie. He would spend many Saturdays travelling the area to yard sales with his good friend, Walter Bach. Sheldon loved to dicker and get a good bargain. He often thought of family members when at these yard sales picking up little trinkets for them.

Sheldon was a devout Catholic, attending weekly mass all his life and daily mass with Assunta once they retired. He faithfully watched Mass for Shut-Ins and daily mass on TV when he was no longer able to attend in person.

In January 2021, Sheldon and Assunta moved from their long-time home in Dominion to River Ryan. Even with her own health issues, Assunta, with the help of her children, was able to care for Sheldon at home until shortly before he passed.

Family was everything to Sheldon, who is survived by his caring and devoted wife, Assunta. He took great pride in his four children: Robert (Rose), Coxheath; Philip (Sherry), Albert Bridge; Linda Campbell (Bradley), River Ryan; and Dianne van Bommel (Martin), Antigonish. He loved to visit with his ten grandchildren: Kelsey Nearing, Dominion; Sarah Nearing (Dylan), Sydney; Jason Nearing (Deanna), Sydney; Mark Nearing (Shelley), Calgary; Heather MacPherson (Mike), Glace Bay; Melanie Campbell (Nick), Halifax; Alyssa Campbell (Sumi), Halifax; Christopher van Bommel (Jamie), Winnipeg; Matthew van Bommel (Megan), Bridgewater; and Rebecca van Bommel (Philip), Mississauga. He was blessed to have two great-grandchildren, Kassandra Lesiak, Mississauga, and Jack MacPherson, Glace Bay, and took great joy in watching these two babies grow into toddlers.

Sheldon is also survived by his sister-in-law, Dot Zorzi, Dominion. He was predeceased by his sister, Johanna Marie (October 2025) and brother-in-law Angelo Zorzi (March 2025).

The family would like to extend thanks to the many doctors who cared for Sheldon over the years. We wish to acknowledge Dr. Philip Curry, who treated Sheldon with the utmost respect and care. Dr. Curry often told Sheldon he was “as tough as a boiled owl.”

Sincere thanks to the VON for their professional care and empathy during their home visits. Thanks also to the nurses and doctors on the Palliative Care Unit at the Regional and the outpatient Palliative Care Program. A special thanks to the staff at Hospice Cape Breton for their compassion and support.

Heartfelt thanks to homecare worker Nitin Bhardwaj, who treated Sheldon with utmost dignity. Sheldon looked forward to Nitin arriving in the morning to get him ready for the day and returning at night to tuck Sheldon in. With Nitin’s help, Sheldon was able to live at home for a while longer.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 10 from 2-5 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. A Funeral Mass of celebration will take place on Saturday, April 11 at 11 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, Bridgeport, with Father Danny Boudreau officiating. Burial will be held in St. James Cemetery at a later date. Family flowers only please. Donations may be made to the Victorian Order of Nurses and to the Hospice/Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County.Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.