Obituary of Starrett "Sonny" Douglas Nauss

NAUSS, Starrett “Sonny” Douglas - Age 87, of Chester, passed away on Friday, February 23, 2024, in Shoreham Village Home for Special Care. 

He was born in Liverpool, NS on November 25, 1936, he was the son of Mildred Gertrude (Whynacht) Nauss and Ernest “Ernie” Cedric Nauss, of Mill Village, NS.  He was predeceased by his parents and two of his brothers, Ernest and Owen Nauss.

He was a loving and attentive husband to Marion (Clattenburg) for 61 years. He was a strong, dependable, and helpful father to son, Kenneth (Yvonne) Nauss, and daughters, Heather (Bruce) and Sheri. He is also remembered by half-brother, George, in Calgary, AB.

Sonny worked for Steel and Engines, of Liverpool, Fundy Construction, in Halifax, and Silver’s Garage, of Bridgewater. He went to Trade School, in Halifax, and became a diesel mechanic and machinist. In 1967, he took ownership of the Pleasantville Repair Shop, and ran the garage for 17 years. He operated the South Shore Ready Mix cement plant in Brooklyn, NS. Sonny also worked at dredging the Liverpool harbour in the 90’s. He enjoyed doing silviculture and owned his own woodlot. He built his own sawmill and supplied wood to the Bowater Mersey Pulp Mill and cut the lumber from his woodlot to build his home in Mill Village.

Sonny loved being on the water and was an avid sailor. He was the proud owner and skipper of three sailboats, he won many trophies and sailed in the Marblehead Races as part of the crew on his friends’ boats. He had a 35-ft. schooner called the “Sea Hawk”, which he had custom built in Dublin Shore. He knew the shores of Lunenburg County like the back of his hand and was moored many times at Ironbound, Snug Harbour, Cross Island, Mosher’s Island, and LaHave Islands throughout the years. He and a crew, including his son, sailed the Sea Hawk to St. Pierre/Miquelon on one of his wildest adventures. In 1982, he displayed his acting talents when he performed in a re-enactment for the 350^th Anniversary landing of Isaac de Razilly, in LaHave.  He was a member of the Nova Scotia Schooner Association, and the LaHave River Yacht Club.  He also enjoyed scuba diving for many years. After selling his sailboat, Sonny embarked upon new adventures on land in a motorhome.  He traveled throughout Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, making many friends along the way.

Sonny enjoyed playing cards, visiting family and friends, attending variety shows, and participating in local community breakfasts and suppers. He was a member of the Hank Snow Tribute and attended many shows over the years. He enjoyed vacationing in Newfoundland, Ontario, Alberta, Bermuda, and Florida. He enjoyed several hobbies such as woodworking, searching for gold mines and collecting historic photos and articles involving Mill Village and surrounding areas. He was a keen gardener and took great pride in his high-bush blueberries and grapevines. He built a greenhouse and had a tremendous green thumb. He was proud of his property, his gardens, and of the fruit and vegetables he grew with great care. Despite always being busy with a project, he made time for others and was willing to help neighbours, friends, and family, whenever called upon.

Sonny had a great sense of humor; he was witty and always smiling. He was hard working, he had integrity, he was direct, honest, responsible and could always be relied on to be there for you. He was a teacher, and he took great pride in sharing his knowledge. He was genuine, well respected and lived life to the fullest.

A Celebration of Life for Sonny will be held on Thursday, February 29, 2024, 11:00 AM, at Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater. The Celebration of Life will be Live-Streamed online. To register to view the Live online stream of Sonny's service, please visit the following internet link: Forget Me Not Ceremonies: Sonny Nauss Livestream Celebration of Life You will receive an email confirming your registration. No interment. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia, or a charity of choice. Arrangements entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home, 35 York St., Bridgewater, where online donations and messages of condolence may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.