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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
MacNAUGHTON, James Gary - age 83, of Truro, NS, passed away on October 1, 2022, at Camp Hill, the Veterans Memorial Residence in Halifax.
Born in Grand Cascapedia, QC, he was the son of James Cameron MacNaughton (of Deeside, QC) and Evelyn Hazel MacNaughton (nee Bain, of Glen Levit, NB).
Gary joined the Royal Canadian Navy as a teenager in 1957, where he started out on the aircraft carrier HMCS BONAVENTURE, gaining expertise in aircraft maintenance and hydraulics. In the 70s he served at NORAD-affiliated CFB North Bay, ON, then on to CFB Borden. After a 23-year career with the Canadian Forces, he retired with the rank of Warrant Officer.
He immediately began work with the engineering design and manufacturing firm DAF Indal, where he worked on a variety of systems, including wind turbines and variable-depth swimming pools. His pride and joy was the "Bear Trap," a helicopter securing system he helped install on aircraft carrier decks all over the world, including Australia, Japan, and India. After 15 years with Indal, he retired to Nova Scotia with his wife Karen. In Truro, he joined 102 Wing, the local Royal Canadian Air Force Association club, even serving as President from 2012 to 2013.
Gary loved his family, socializing with all kinds of people, parties, music, dancing, and vehicles of any kind. Over his life he owned many cars, including his baby, a 1978 Corvette Stingray. Through the years he had an ATV, several campers and RVs, even an outboard motor boat, with which he became an avid water skier. He once tried rebuilding a single-engine airplane, though he never had a chance to get it off the ground. He lived life the way he wanted, and he will be missed by all who knew him.
Gary is survived by his daughters, Heather MacNaughton and Kathy MacNaughton; by his grandsons James Vandergroef (Tabitha, and great-granddaughter Lydia), Scott Vandergroef, and Jason Vandergroef; brothers Charles MacNaughton and Robert MacNaughton; an uncountable number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many others.
Predeceased by his adored wife, Karen MacNaughton (Elliott) and her family; his parents, James and Evelyn; his brothers Baden MacNaughton, Vaughan MacNaughton, and Guy MacNaughton; his sisters Joan Genore (MacNaughton) and Rae Robertson (MacNaughton).
Gary's daughters live in Ontario, so special thanks go to Gary's niece and her husband, Pam and Jean-Marc Lanthier, for the vital role they played in maintaining the day-to-day physical connection between Gary and his family.
There will be no official service at this time. Gary will be cremated, and will join Karen in their companion urn at Oakridge Memorial Gardens in Middle Sackville, NS. For a portion of his ashes, a burial at sea is planned for May 7, 2023 aboard the HMCS Sackville, with family in attendance.
A final heartfelt note to thank the staff at Camp Hill in Halifax for their exceptional care of Gary in his final few years. Their skill, dedication and affection during his stay was inspiring, and the family is forever grateful for their kindness and support.
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