Charles Wayne DeCoste

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of (Charles) Wayne DeCoste on July 8th at 61 years of age, following a short and fierce battle with cancer.

Wayne was born on PEI and raised in Halifax by his loving mother (Yvonne DeCoste) and his nanny (Edna Jenkins). From the start, Wayne has always had a love of learning. Growing up, his nanny taught him baking, preserving, gardening, and knitting. This skill-building continued into adulthood and he became known as a jack-of-all-trades, but he was best known for his cooking. He attended culinary school and worked in restaurants all over Halifax. Many will remember his days at Pepe’s, where he worked proudly with his sister Debbie. He excelled under the mentorship of Jim Bent and John Kamoulakos and became famous for his Caesar salads, baked clams, pork chop platters, and many other culinary delights.

It was during these years that Wayne would meet his wife-to-be, Kelly. Far from love at first sight, they became fast friends before falling for each other over a shared sense of humour and Elvis music. They married in 1988 and over the next several years, welcomed four children.

Wayne enjoyed his hometown, later coming to think of it with Kelly as “our town.” From their first date at The Garden View Restaurant on Spring Garden Road, Wayne was always up for a night out with good food at The Henry House or a gathering of family and friends at The Oxford.

Wayne continued to work in the restaurant industry in the HRM for a number of years until he saw an opportunity to provide more for his family. He set his sights on a new challenge and furthered his education, becoming certified in survival systems training. Thus began a new chapter of his career, cooking on trawlers, rigs, and in work camps out west. However, the day came when it was time for Wayne and Kelly to take a leap of faith and they bought their own restaurant: Mary’s Place Cafe II on Spring Garden Road.

Wayne was very reserved about his pride for the restaurant but he worked tirelessly and together with Kelly, built a strong and vibrant community of staff and patrons who became true friends during their 11 years of ownership. He cherished the fun and lighthearted banter with the service staff and had nothing but kind words for the girls. He will be remembered for his seafood chowder, fish cakes, maple baked beans, and putting Mickey ears on all the children’s pancake orders.

Wayne worked hard at everything he did. He didn’t like an idle mind and even in his down time, his shows of choice were how-to’s, documentaries, and histories. He always had a project on the go and took great pride in his home, especially his garden, where he loved hosting bonfires. Wayne could be seen on any night, no matter the season, having a fire and toasting to the evening with family and friends. On special occasions, he would even cook up a seafood feast right over the fire.

Wayne was a playful person. He loved Halloween and would go all out decorating his house for the neighbourhood. He had fun with fashion and was known to sport a red leather tie, blue leather shoes, and of course his many silk shirts and signature patchouli scent. He was a fan of classic rock and more often than not, could be found blasting Q104 at home, work, or in the car. He was so cool. He loved the heat of the summer and got out to the beach or park with his family as often as he could. Equally, Wayne loved a good storm and could always be found enjoying thunder and lightning from his garage or playing in the snow with his kids. He was always up for adventures like concerts, field trips with the kids, and day trips to the valley.

Wayne was also kind and gentle and had a soft spot for animals. He enjoyed feeding and watching the birds and other critters in his yard and appreciated spotting wildlife on hikes and drives. He had many pets throughout his life and always loved them as members of his family.

Above all else, Wayne’s greatest pride and joy were his four children. He loved each of them unconditionally. He enjoyed spending time with them and took pleasure in truly knowing them, their partners, and their friends. He listened without judgment and offered sound advice. He was always entertained by their humour and musical tastes. He was proud of their fluency in French and relished in their accomplishments, their athletic and artistic abilities, and their pursuit of education. When home, he never missed a game, a recital, or a concert. Wayne is and will always be a great father.

Wayne endured many hardships in his early life but despite it all, he persevered in his work, his family, and his community. He was unique, in that he did not allow those hardships to break him and was able to pass on only goodness and love to his own children. His strength was incomparable.

Wayne was a loving brother to his own four sisters and one brother, a proud uncle to many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and a great-nephew. He loved being their “Uncle Wayne.” He never stopped loving his family, regardless of distance and time.

Wayne was beloved by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lesley and Kathleen James, and by extension, their children; his brothers and sisters-in-law. In them, he found a new source of love, acceptance, and support. Something he didn’t expect but cherished deeply.

Wayne was a good friend. He was easy-going, always ready with a joke, and had a way of making one feel comfortable in his company. Wayne’s heart had room for all. Everyone who knew him felt his warmth and sincerity. He will be missed by a great many including Donny and Evelyn, Paul and Leslie, Adrian and Nez, Tony & Jan, Yvon, Stephen, Gerard, John, Gary, Zehava & Don and his best friend and brother, Joe.

Wayne is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Kelly James. Children: Bridgette (Tyler Bell), Waterloo, ON., Elijah, Halifax, NS., Drew (Nick Ogden), Halifax, NS., and Coren, Ottawa, ON. Siblings: Joe Young (Barbara) New Jersey US, Debbie Quinn, Summerside, PEI., Denise DeCoste, Calgary, AB., Karen DeCoste, Summerside, PEI., Sharon (Walter) Gallant, Summerside, PEI. In-laws: Steve Ryan, Windsor, NS., Kimberley (Robert) Keohan, St. Albert, AB., Karen James, Halifax, NS., David James (Barbara Fougere), Halifax, NS. And all his cherished nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his mother Yvonne DeCoste, grandmother Edna Jenkins, brother-in-law Fee Quinn, parents-in-law Leslie and Kathleen James, and brother-in-law Darren James.

Visitation will be held at Cruikshank's Halifax Funeral Home (2666 Windsor St., Halifax) on July 15th from 4-8pm. The funeral service will be held at Cruikshank’s Halifax Funeral Home on July 16th at 2pm with a reception to follow at The Oxford Taproom (6418 Quinpool Rd., Halifax) from 4-6pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Adsum House for Women and Children and The Nova Scotia SPCA.

For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. Thank you for the love and memories, Wayne. You will be dearly missed. Wish you were here.