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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
PAYNE, Richard (Rick) - "I've a rendez-vous beyond my beloved horizon" - Captain Jack Sparrow. Navy Captain Richard "Rick" Payne departed the fix and sailed over the horizon on June 5, 2022, having enjoyed some 24,733 days on this particular mission. He was born and raised in Arvida, Que., a utopian community of French and English and Polish neighbourhoods where folks lived and worked and played together, watched "La Soirée du Hockey" on Saturday nights, and talked about the game at church on Sunday mornings. He rose to pee-wee level in hockey and baseball, was a Boy Scout and after-school gymnast, and won a gold medal in high school in the high jump event. Studied Latin in high school, and was accepted into dentistry at McGill and Queen's, but realizing the non-compatibility of his name brand, chose the path of a military career instead, at College Militaire Royale de St-Jean, then RMC Kingston. Became a Naval Officer, where he served for 37 years. Husband to Annette, a Navy nurse he met and fell in love with whilst on training in England. Later, when Rachelle was born, he assumed the duties of ballet Dad. In recent years, as a widower, he rediscovered his passion for drumming, and was practicing hard at perfecting his double rolls, paraddidles, and drum fills. Holding drumsticks was a natural state for him, and gave him a calming effect. Other pastimes included ice skating, writing poetry, walks on beaches, rediscovering the bus stop dance steps, and flying his kite, feeling the gentle tug of God. He leaves behind his favourite daughter, Rachelle; his sisters, Valerie (Don) and Jennifer (Michel); nephew, Andrew; nieces, Stephanie, Jenna, Mélissa et Émilie; and many friends and shipmates. He has rejoined his beloved wife Annette, his little sister Elizabeth, and his mom and dad. He is looking forward to throwing catch again with his dad, like in his favourite movie "Field of Dreams", and to having a beer with his granddad, a veteran of the Great War, whom he never knew. Joseph Richard Steven Payne had a good life, quite ordinary, but to him, quite extraordinary in its blessings. Please join Richard's family for a visitation on July 1st from 3-7 p.m. in J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr., Halifax. Richard's Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 2nd at 11 a.m. in Cathedral Church of All Saints, 1330 Cathedral Lane, Halifax. A reception will follow at 12:30 p.m. at 1343 Hollis St. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice.
"Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not." - Yoda, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Episode III)
"Despite health or illness or other issues happening to you, always awake in gratitude. And fall asleep counting your blessings (not sheep)." - Richard S. Payne (The TriCounty Vanguard 11 Jun 2022)
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