Arnold Roger Manzer

Manzer, Arnold “Roger” – age 77 of Ashmore, went home peacefully with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on March 18, 2023. He was a son of the late Reginald Hastings Sr. and Sylvia Belle (Lombard) Manzer.

Roger is survived by his loving wife Shirley (Gaudet) of 59 years; sons, John (Vicki), Jarrid (Laverne), Richard (Faye); daughters, Sylvia (Wade), Laurie (Harris), Becky (Vance); brother, Gerald (Angie), 17 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and little “buddy” Keaton. He was predeceased by sisters, Eleanor, Myrna in infancy, Elsie and his brothers, Reginald Jr., Melvin and great grandson Aaron.

Roger accepted Jesus as his Saviour on July 4, 1999 and was a member and trustee at Calvary Baptist Church where he served whole heartedly for 24 years. He could be found telling others about Jesus everywhere he went in recent years especially in the dialysis unit to his caretakers.

Roger loved all his children and grandchildren dearly and was proud of them. He also spent lots of precious time as well with his son-in-laws, Wade, Harris and Steven. He had a very special bond with grandson Jessie, and it was wonderful to see him light up whenever Jesse called or came to visit him. His door was open to everyone and anyone who may want to sit and chat, play music, needing something fixed or built, or help of any sort and be rest assured he was going to feed you. Day or night the door was open, because he’d say you never know who needs a place to sleep. He welcomed all the neighborhood children in as well, he cared for them like his own. He often talked about his siblings and his childhood, recalling many good times playing, hunting, wrestling and boxing with them and how strong they were and how much they could eat. He missed them and his parents very much and long for the day he see them all again.

He also loved to hunt and fish and put in a garden. He and Shirley worked hard every year and had a beautiful garden and he was proud of the “biggest” potatoes. He loved to hunt with his wife, Shirley, sons, John, Jarrid and Richard spent many years teaching them and having lots of fun. He spent a lot of time in the woods and always loved the annual canoe trip with his special friends, Jimmy Melanson, Garnet Melanson, Kevin Gavel, Glen Sabean, and son-in-law, Steven Melanson and they had lots of fun. He was also an avid fan of Wildcats softball team, he could be found in the dugout on the bench with the team cheering them on. He hardly missed a game.

He worked at various jobs throughout his life from digging clams, running heavy equipment, logging for a longtime friend Emery Gavel, labourer at the Cornwallis Base in and Weymouth school (also night watchman) and later a janitor there as well, hauling fish waste for Frank/Harris, labourer on the new Sissiboo Dam in Weymouth falls, and with Department of Highways clearing bushes.

He could be found also in the gun room, doing gunsmith work for himself or others, he loved guns. He knew just about everything about every gun and scope, and how to mount and fix them. Also did a lot of mechanic work on cars, trucks and tractors where he built and welded on just about everything.

Special thanks goes out to the dialysis units both in Yarmouth and Digby Hospital‘s. Dad truly loved all his caretakers there and received exceptional care for a little more than four years. Also to Dr. Green for his love and concern for Dad and his team for a quick diagnosis and respecting Dad‘s wishes and also to Dr. Hynes as well while in Yarmouth Hospital.

Also special thanks to the palliative care team Digby Hospital, your love and care in those short 24 hours was second none. Dad was happy to be where he called “home”.

Special thanks also to Pat Brittain for spending many days in the past five months visiting him. He enjoyed all the chats, stories, music and Bible discussions. We say we “inherited a brother” during this time as he became very close to Dad and part of our family when Dad and Mom needed it most.

Mom never left dad’s side and was there above and beyond anyone else. She cared for and loved Dad tremendously. He was her soulmate, he will be sadly missed by her and their children, grandchildren, friends, church family, and all that knew him. He truly touched everyone in one way or another. If you met him you knew him. Dad left these words “I have all I need, and all I want. Love my family and being a grandparent” and of advice, especially to his grandchildren to “Accept Jesus” most of all.

“If possible, I would ask for one more day with you, But, of course, if it was possible, one more day would not be enough”. Edward Lee.