Sydney Syd Reginald Vaughan

January 4, 1922 – November 24, 2015

It is with great sadness that the family of Sydney Reginald Vaughan announces his passing on November 24, 2015 at the age of 93 after a full and active life. Our beloved Uncle, the youngest son of Alice Maud Doyle and Robert Leo Vaughan was born on January 4, 1922. A life-long resident of Halifax he attended Oxford Street School, St. Mary’s College High School and graduated with his Bachelor of Commerce from St Mary’s College in 1946. During the war years, while attending university, he was determined to make a contribution as a member of the militia and joined the Canadian Officers Training Corp from 1942 to 1945. Following graduation Uncle Syd pursued a career in accounting, finding employment at various businesses over the next forty years including McCullough’s, Fairview Industrial Engineering, Baldwin Beckwith Office & Supply, JP Dunn Plumbing & Heating, TC Gorman Construction, and the advertising companies of Wallis, Imperial, Montle and Focal. Retiring officially in 1988 after a long and fulfilling career he continued to work part time for another two years until 1990 when he retired his ledgers. Our Uncle was a top athlete in his day and was very active in minor sporting circles. Uncle Syd lived a good part of his younger years within close proximity to the Halifax Commons, the site of a vibrant baseball community, and the perfect venue for developing a lifelong love of the sport as both a player and coach. The 1930’s found him involved in softball, playing for the Playground League and eventually moving on to intermediate and senior leagues as a member of the Halifax Monarchs during the 1940s. Throughout the 1950’s he devoted many hours of his free time to coaching the Monarchs’ Minor League Baseball Team. Another sport dear to his heart was minor league hockey. His love of hockey led him to play on the local suburban teams both on outdoor rinks and eventually the indoor arenas during the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s. Throughout his life Uncle Syd always maintained an active life style no matter the season. Winter saw him on the ski slopes, cross-country skiing or skating as a member of various local skating clubs. The warmer months brought weekly camping trips, hiking and swimming at the many beaches around the province. Into his 90’s, despite major vision loss, he rarely missed his daily sojourn around the neighbourhood. Always a gentle man and never one to complain he accepted his vision impairment and continued to live his life with acceptance and perseverance. Although always living within his means he never failed to be a generous contributor to many local charities. Our Uncle enjoyed travelling and fulfilled his desire to see the world with several trips to Europe, the United States and to many parts of Canada. But favourites on his list were those locations within the province and easily accessible by car. Very important to him was his love of music. Throughout the years he looked forward to attending concerts by Symphony Nova Scotia and could be seen tapping his feet at the Jazz Festival and at the Public Gardens concert series. At home there was always the sound of music emanating from his various collections of radios. His faith community was of great importance to him as he found strength in his beliefs and lived each day accordingly. At various times during his life he served on the Parish Councils of St Theresa’s, St John the Baptist and St Pius the Tenth, volunteering his time and service. Always a very principled and determined person he lived his life honestly and truthfully and at times with a touch of stubbornness. Uncle Syd was a life-long bachelor but we have fond memories of a childhood filled with his influence. He had a love of photography which over the decades has provided a chronicle of life for his extended family. His many photo albums and slides in which he took great pride will always be a legacy for family here and now and those who follow. Always appreciating the company of family members he never missed an opportunity to join in the celebration of birthdays and important life events. He was predeceased by his brother Vincent and sisters Alice Pelham, Angela Martin and Margaret Lightbody. Those left to remember and honour his memory include his sister Roberta Murphy, his nephews Patrick Murphy (Heather), John Pelham, Bob Vaughan (Marjorie), David Vaughan (Luisa), Bob Lightbody and his nieces Pat Church (Brian), Peg Martin (Keith), Jeannie Ehler (David), Cathy Vaughan, Marion Power (Michael), Colleen Murphy, Kathleen Murphy, Janice Bohan (Mark), Laura Steadham (Chris), Valerie Richardson (Kevin) and Eileen Hayden (Don). We wish to extend our appreciation to the excellent and caring support provided to Sydney during his years living at the Berkeley Gladstone. A funeral Mass in celebration of Sydney’s life will be held at St Catherine’s Church, 6476 Bayers Rd on Tuesday, December 1st at 11 am with reception to follow in the church hall. Interment will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville. Donations may be made to the CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) or a charity of choice: https://cnib.donorportal.ca/Donation/DonationDetails.aspx?L=en-CA&G=173&F=1153&T=GENER&cscid=singlecontrol