Obituary of John Maxwell Greer

John Maxwell Greer Of Truro, West Dublin, and recently Bridgewater, aged 94. It is with profound sadness that the family of John Greer announces his death. He died on August 18th at his much-loved cottage in West Dublin at exactly 12:00 o’clock on a rising tide comforted by a fair south westerly breeze holding the hand of Dode, his wife of 69 years, and surrounded by all five of his adult children. His loss will be felt by his wife and best friend Dode, his children Anne (Jim White), John (Vanessa Paschakarnis), Peggy, Peter (Alison Strachan), Mary (Richard Zalega), eighteen grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren and the many to whom he was an honorary grandfather. He once said, “I never realized how many kids would call me Papa.” He also leaves his niece Sally Grant (Clifford) of White Rock, B. C., and nephews Al Greer (Eleanor), of Truro, and Keith Burgess (Isabell) of Paradise and their children and grandchildren. We also wish to acknowledge a few special people who knew and loved John and who remain close to the family including Shirlene, Kit and Jim , Susan, Ron, and many others. His was a life well lived with grace and humility, blessed with a very caring family and in death much missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him. His sharp wit, ready humour, and metaphorical clarity served him and nourished his family until his passing and will live on in countless stories of our dear Papa. The last remaining member of his own birth family, John was a war baby, born in 1917, the youngest by 10 years of the six children of Annie and Sydney Greer in Joggins, Nova Scotia. As a teenage boy, John had the opportunity of a lifetime to sail on a coastal trading schooner returning from Boston to Parrsboro. Taking the wheel in the middle of the night under the stars in a stiff wind gave him a love of the ocean that remained with him his whole life. John served in the Battle of the Atlantic during the Second World War on the Castle class corvette HMCS Tillsonburg, a time he spoke little about but one which had a profound influence on his life. After the war, he attended Dalhousie University, graduating in Pharmacy. He was a well-respected druggist in Truro for over 40 years, retiring in his early ‘70’s. He enjoyed life to the fullest, traveling some, boating lots, and most importantly being a firm anchor for his loving and well-loved family. John served for many years as a trustee and active member of First United Church in Truro and was a member of Legion Branch 26. He and Dode were members of the Curling Club and charter members of the Good Times Dance Club and. John was also a member of the Truro Kiwanis Club for several years. We wish to extend our deepest gratitude to all those in the medical and care giving professions who worked with us through his brief illness over the past few months. A service to celebrate the life of John Maxwell Greer will be held at the West Dublin United Church in West Dublin on Wednesday August 24th at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Colchester Regional Hospital Foundation, the Kingsburg Coastal Conservancy in support of West Ironbound Island, or to a charity of choice. On-line condolences C. F. Sweeeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater. www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.