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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
PETTIGREW, John Daniel - Born June 3, 1938, died September 16, 2023. The Pettigrew Clan lost our beloved patriarch on Saturday, September 16, 2023. Born in New Canaan, John spent his childhood there, in Parrsboro, and Amherst. He left school at 16 to eventually joined the RCAF. Between 1961 and 1981, he was stationed at CFB Greenwood, Baden-Soellingen, Shearwater, and aboard the Canadian Naval Ships HMCS Huron, Protecteur, Preserver, and Provider. During his early time in the service, he earned his GED, and went on to mentor others to do the same. After he retired from the RCAF he worked at Eastern Paper, and at Camp Hill Hospital as a Commissionaire. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roland and Margaret (Née Pettis) Pettigrew, (Russell Blenkhorn, loving second husband to Margaret); his baby sister, Diann Quigley; and brothers-in-law, Kenneth Ferris and Douglas Manzer, and Thomas Belliveau. He is survived by his bride of 62 years, Shirley (née Corbett) Pettigrew, whom he met on the RMS Saxonia in 1961, and looked at with the same proud gleam for the rest of his life. He also leaves behind his much loved siblings, Shirley, Harold, Elizabeth (Betty), and George; a son, Mark; two daughters, Catherine and Andrea, four grandchildren, Emily (Nathaniel), Rowan (Victoria), Nevan, and Abe, and two great-grandchildren, Molly and Theodore. A kid at heart to the end, he never met a stranger. He had a booming hello and felt a human connection to all he encountered. Thank you to the musicians of the New Hampshire Music Festival whom he held so dear long after his summer visits there, and to the hard-working people at the Braemar Drive Superstore for taking him in when he took on the grocery shopping. He spoke highly of all of you and made sure we knew your faces if not always your names. He was an avid reader and devoured hundreds of “dusters”, thrillers and detective novels. He loved crosswords and sudoku, and for someone who purported not to be able to cook, watched a LOT of cooking shows. For a large part of his life, he was a devoted member of the congregation at Christ Church, Dartmouth, and sang with a full heart in the choir and served on the church council. He remains the best example of us for always appreciating and wanting what he had. He felt happiest sitting on his back deck with Shirley, reading a book, or spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a big part of his neighborhood and the neighborhood was a big part of him. He waved at neighbors in their cars, shared a beer, and talked about them all with sincere affection. The family would like to thank the medical staff at Dartmouth Medical Centre, especially the inimitable Dr. Nag (Sannidhanam), whose unflagging compassion and diligent care meant so much to all of us, especially Dad. A service will be held at the Atlantic Funeral Home on Sunday, September 24, at 10 a.m. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. (Atlantic Funeral Homes)
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