Obituary of John Gordon Haley

John Gordon Haley, 94, of Antigonish, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home in Antigonish on Thursday July 28, 2016. John was born November 3, 1921 to John and Ruth Lenora (Daley) Haley in Antigonish, N.S. He was predeceased by his loving wife Theresa Gerardine (Cameron) in March 2001 after 47 years of marriage, and his sisters, Mary Haley; Alexina Haley; Geneva Harris and Grace Gavin. John is survived by his daughter Ann Lenore and her husband Dale MacKeen of Antigonish N.S. and his 5 sons, John Cameron Haley and his wife Anne, Neil Gordon (Gord) Haley and his wife Susan of Lower Sackville N.S., Brian Donald Haley and his wife Janet of Stonewall Manitoba, Robert (Bob) Wayne Haley of Hay River, N.W.T. and William (Bill) Patrick Haley of Bedford, N.S. and his many loving grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. As a young man, John spent his time between Antigonish and Bayfield. He had a love for sports, playing hockey and baseball. John spent his summers at his cottage in Bayfield where he took up lobster fishing. John married Theresa Gerardine Cameron on September 22, 1953. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as a fire fighter and continued his career until 1971, serving at Camp Borden, Ontario; Calgary, Alberta; Bagotville, Quebec and Shearwater, Nova Scotia. He retired from the military and returned to Antigonish and worked at Morrison School until he retired the last time. John enjoyed his retirement by fishing, playing cards and visits from family and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. Some of his many hobbies and interests included, cooking, gardening, carpentry and tinkering on cars. His passion was hockey and he spent many hours at the rinks encouraging his children and grandchildren in the sport and for years skating at the rink in the mornings well into his 80’s. Visitation 2-4 and 7-9 pm Monday, August 1 in MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant St., Antigonish. Funeral Mass 11:00 am Tuesday in St. Ninian’s Cathedral, Rev. Donald MacGillivray presiding. Burial in the parish cemetery. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the many doctors, nurses and all the staff at the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home for their loving support of our father. Family flowers only please, donations to the RK MacDonald Foundation or the Antigonish Chapter of the Carma Group.