Obituary of Wayne Howie, Glace Bay

Wayne Lester Howie

Glace Bay

 

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Wayne Lester Howie, age 79, after a short but intense struggle with colon cancer on Thursday June 21, 2018, at the Glace Bay General Hospital.

Dad was born on October 18, 1938 in Glace Bay to Vera (Hillier) and Lester Howie. He was raised on South Street and graduated from Morrison High School in 1956.

Dad possessed the gift of conversation and would talk to anyone and everyone, which worked well for him in his career in sales. He worked in the family business (Howie’s Machine Shop at Campbell’s Corner) and spent many years as a travelling sales manager for Abex Industries, Safety Supply Co. and as an independent sales representative. Dad could recall details of these many conversations and he never seemed to forget anyone. It seemed like he always knew someone in whatever town, city or province he was in at the time.

Dad displayed a keen sense for artistic photography, whether his subject was people, wildlife or nature. He always had his camera with him and would use photos to record history.

Dad was politically active and was elected to Glace Bay Town Council in the early 1970’s. He was actively involved in the Boy Scouts of Canada as a youth and as a leader, going on many camping trips and passing along this fondness of the outdoors to his sons. He was a member of Knox United Church, where he served for many years as an elder. He was a member of the Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club. An active Mason, he was a member of the Tyrian Youth Lodge for over 55 years, serving as Master in 1968. He was also a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and the Royal Order of Scotland.

Dad was predeceased by his father (1972) and his mother (2010). He is survived by his three sons, Darren (Kelly Nicholson), Timberlea, NS; Scott (Kim), Nepean, Ontario; and Trent, Halifax, NS; grandchildren, Rebecca Legere (Matt), Keith (Nepean, Ontario), Malcolm and Alec (Timberlea, NS); great-grandchildren, Keira and JD (Nepean, Ontario) and his sister, Agnes Rennie (Ian), Chateauguay, PQ. Dad will also be missed by many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

We’d like to thank the nurses and staff of 4 North at the Glace Bay General Hospital, especially Tracy, Cathy and Chelsey. We’d like to thank Drs. Alison Archibald, Carol Boutilier, and Ron MacCormick, who demonstrated kindness and compassion in their care of Dad over the past several months. We also offer our thanks to Dad’s neighbors, who looked out for him when his health declined and were immensely helpful for him during his recent hospital stay.

In keeping with Dad’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on July 28, 2018 (Saturday) from 12 (noon) until 1: 45 p.m. followed by a Masonic service and then a funeral service at 2 p.m., all in the V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay. Rev. Louie Ihasz officiating. Interment at a later date in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens.

Memorial donations may be made to the Masonic Foundation of Nova Scotia or charity of one’s choice. On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca