Obituary of Wesley 'Wes' Peckham, Scotchtown

It is with sadness and broken hearts that we, the family of Wesley Peckham, announce his sudden passing at his home on June 10th, 2018, at the age of 55.

Born in New Waterford, Wesley was the son of the late Bernie Peckham Sr. and Agnes (Hogan) Peckham of Scotchtown.  Employed at an early age, Wesley first worked on a milk truck delivering milk.  He later began travelling to Prince Edward Island where he picked tobacco alongside his brother, Bernie and good friends.  And like many others, Wesley began travelling to Alberta to work.  He eventually left his days of travelling behind and lived out the remainder of his years in Cape Breton.

In his youth, Wesley could be found partying behind the water tank in Scotchtown.  He was known as a tough guy, a daredevil on a motorcycle and as the better looking brother.  Wesley soon put those days behind him and lived vicariously through Sylvester Stallone in Rocky and Patrick Swayze in Roadhouse while raising his two girls.  Wesley loved spending time with his family.  He would enjoy a good old game of horseshoes with his father, brother Bernie and uncle Wally and he loved taking his daughter Melissa fishing and his son Joey and daughter Jessica through the trails on the ATV.  And, as everyone knows, Wesley also loved his XL French vanilla.  Above everything, Wesley adored his family; he visited his mother, sisters and brother often and always talked about how proud he was of his children. Today, Wesley is known as a true friend and as having a heart of gold.  He would have given the shirt off his back to anyone in need.

Wesley is survived by his mother, Agnes (Hogan) Peckham; his children, Joey Gouthro, Melissa (Russell) MacDonald and Jessica (Glen MacNeil) Mills; siblings, Debbie (Bill Petrie) Peckham, Bernice (Michael) Williams, Bernie (Darlene) Peckham; grandchildren, Landin, Nicholas, Sadie, Ben and Jordan; also uncles, nieces and nephews, many cousins and his good friend, Mark.

Wesley was predeceased by his father, Bernie Peckham Sr., his brother Bernie Peckham Jr. in childhood and nephew David Williams.

Visitation for Wesley will be held at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford, on Thursday June 14th, 2018, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

A funeral service will take place at the Salvation Army, 519 King Street, New Waterford, on Friday June 15th, 2018, at 2 p.m. with Maj.’s Rocky and Janice Bishop officiating. Cremation will follow with burial in Union Grove Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial donations can be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or Union Grove Cemetery.  Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.

                                                          “When I get where I’m going

                                                           There’ll be only happy tears

                                                           I will shed the sins and struggles

                                                           I have carried all these years

                                                           And I’ll leave my heart wide open

                                                           I will love and have no fear

                                                           When I get where I’m going

                                                           Don’t cry for me down here”