Obituaries

Joseph “Raymond” Bond

BOND, Joseph “Raymond”, 93, of Port Felix, Guysborough County, passed away on Saturday, November 22, 2025, in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish. Born in Port Felix, he was a son of the late Edmond and Annie (Avery) Bond. Raymond worked for a number of years at Canso Seafood Plant. He was a very friendly and cheerful man who loved going to dances and concerts in various communities. Raymond is survived by his brother, Francis (Isabel), Port Felix; three nephews, Joseph Marriott, Jamie and John Bond; great-nephew, Zackary Bond. He was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Margaret (Joseph) Marriott. In keeping with Raymond’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service. Online condolences may be made at www.gwgiffin.com

Wilfred Carl “Willie” Elms

Wilfred Carl “Willie” Elms, 90, Rear Monastery, Antigonish County, passed away, Monday, November 17, 2025 at home. Born in Rear Monastery, he was a son of the late Joseph Norman and Elsie Mae (Whalen) Elms. Willie grew up working on the family farm until he moved to Toronto at age 17.

In Toronto, he was employed as a machinist at the Sunbeam Corporation for many years before returning home to Nova Scotia in the mid-1970s. He then worked at the former Hawker Siddeley railway freight car manufacturing plant in Trenton, Pictou County, for several more years before he retired.

Before and during his retirement, Willie took his time renovating the former one-room segregated schoolhouse he attended in his youth in Rear Monastery. This would become his home for the rest of his years.

He spent his time fishing, hunting and cutting firewood on his land for the cold winters. In the spring and summer, he enjoyed planting and tending his vegetable garden and would share some of his harvest with family and friends if he had a good yield.

Willie was a very quiet, humble, private person who loved his family and enjoyed the peacefulness of country-living after many years of working in the big city.

He was a member of First Baptist Church, Toronto, and attended Tracadie United Baptist Church when he returned home. Over the past few years, he enjoyed attending events held by the Upper Big Tracadie Seniors Action Club with his brothers, Gerald and Donald.

Willie was blessed to have reached 90 years of age a few months ago, making him the family’s newest member of the “90’s Milestone Club” behind his surviving brother and sisters, Gerald, Alice and Mary.

Surviving are his daughters, Michelle Urquhart, Toronto; Melissa (Raymond) Card, New York; eight grandchildren and numerous great grand-children; sisters, Alice Ponzi, Mary Thompson, both of Toronto; Joan Paris, New Glasgow; Lillian Cain, Montague Gold Mines; Carol Ann (Sam) Okpro, Pierrefonds, Que.; Angela MacKinnon, Port Hawkesbury; foster sister, Raine Jones, Dartmouth; brothers, Gerald Elms, Donald (Velma) Elms, all of Rear Monastery; foster brothers, Storm Jones, Toronto; William Jones, Edmonton; special uncle, Joseph Howell, Glace Bay; special cousin, Tye Elms, Toronto; goddaughter, Pat Jones, Halifax; sister-in-law, Agnes Elms, Dartmouth; partner of late brother Leslie, Rene O’Dowd, Antigonish.

Wilfred was predeceased by his former partner, Jacqueline Urquhart; son, Christopher Donald Urquhart; brothers, Kenneth Elms, Frank Elms and Leslie Elms; brothers-in-law, Angus MacKinnon, Paul Ponzi, Francis Paris, Wylie Cain; former brother-in-law, Lloyd Thompson; and sister-in-law, Frances Elms.

The family received visitors at Tracadie United Baptist Church in Monastery on November 28, followed by the funeral service with Pastor Clara Jordan officiating, assisted by Deacon Alonzo Reddick. Burial followed in Sunnyview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Wilfred Elms to a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.haverstocks.com

Hold me close with love, not sorrow

I’m not gone,

I’m in tomorrow

In every laugh,

in every cheer

You’ll find my spirit,

always near.

Betty Jean Izzard

It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Betty Jane Izzard, 78, on Friday, November 28, 2025, in Milford Haven Home for Special Care, Guysborough.

Betty Jane was born in Toronto, Ontario, a daughter of the late Melvin and Dorothy Sproule. She worked as a CCA at Milford Haven Home for Special Care for many years.

She is survived by her husband, Norman Izzard; daughter, Joanne Pierce-Mallette; sons, Kenneth Izzard, Ricky Mallette and Brian Mallette; sister, Bonnie Patterson; nephew, Robert Patterson; and many nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law. Besides her parents, she is predeceased by her grandson, Tyler Mallette.

Visitation was held November 30 in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Guysborough, from where the funeral service was held December 1, with Rev. David Wheeler officiating.

Burial followed in Evergreen Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com

John Joseph Kennedy

1952 – 2025

Kennedy, John Joseph, 73, of Antigonish, passed away on November 24, 2025, in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish.

Born in Black Avon, Antigonish County, he was a son of the late Angus L. and Jean (MacLean) Kennedy.

Before his retirement and health issues, John worked as a woodsman.

He is survived by his sisters, Mary MacInnis and Janice (Lawrence) MacDonald; nephews, Barry (Jenna) MacInnis and Matt (Jana) MacInnis; niece, Kimberly (Jason) Tait; and grandniece, Ava Jean Tait.

Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held.

Online condolences: www.clcurry.com

Beryl Anne Phee

1945 – 2025

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Beryl Anne Phee (née Fougere), 80, of Antigonish, and originally of Larry’s River, on November 24, 2025, in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish.

Beryl was a proud Acadian born on July 9, 1945, and she worked for many years as a custodian at St. Francis Xavier University and had long since retired.

She is survived by her five children, Raymond Edward Phee, John Christopher (Cheryl) Phee, Patricia Anne Phee (Martin Chaumont), Glenn Gary Phee, and Charmaine Adele (Elvis) Chipp; 11 grandchildren, Kyra Foran (Barrett MacIntosh), William Phee (Autumn Ruzycki), Christian Phee, Alexandre Chaumont, Matthew Phee, Regan Phee, Marc-André Chaumont, Aleah Phee (Seth Hebb), Breanne Phee, Ava Chipp, and Kristy Saunders (Dan Snooks); and three great-grandchildren, Lumen MacIntosh, Melanie Phee, and Mia Snooks; brother, Howard Frazier; sisters-in-law, Christina Frazier, Bette (Mike) Salsman, Joan Phee; brother-in-law, Sam Gero.

Her family now takes comfort in knowing she has been called home and is reunited with those who went before her.

Beryl was predeceased by her husband, Charles Edward “Eddie” Phee, in 2019; great granddaughter, Sophie Phee, in 2022; and her brother, Raymond Frazier, in August of 2025. She accepted these losses with the strength of her beliefs and trust in God’s plan.

Visitation was held Friday, November 28, in C.L. Curry Funeral Home, Antigonish. Funeral Mass was held Saturday, November 29, in St. Ninian’s Cathedral, with Reverend Daniel MacLennan presiding. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Donations to Cathy’s Place, c/o St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Foundation, are appreciated.

Online condolences: www.clcurry.com

May she rest in the peace of Christ.