It is with great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Bernard (Bernie) Edward Britten on August 9, 2019 surrounded by his loving family at CBRH. Bernie was born March 16, 1933 in Poirierville on Isle Madame of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia to the late Clara Jane (Samson) and James Damascus Britten.
His wife Elise, children and grandchildren brought Bernie his greatest joys in his well-lived life. Bernie was devoted to family, church and community and found time for many other interests including bridge, poker and golf, and later in life he was an avid reader and Scrabble player.
While Bernie’s occupation as a metallurgist and executive in the steel industry with SYSCO and Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel brought him to many parts of the world, Elise’s blueberry pie kept him close to home.
Bernie is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Elise Susanne Britten (Poirier); sister Mary Joan Poirier (Britten); sister-in-law Mary Britten and nine children: Margaret (Derrick) Marsman of Blacketts Lake; David (April) of Wexford Pennsylvania; Mary (Oscar) Britten-Belding of Sussex New Brunswick; Ena Graham, Sydney; Daniel (Sarah) of Olathe Kansas; Timothy (Lisa) of Barrhaven Ontario; Andrew (Neeta) of Westmount; Stephen (Monique) of Calgary Alberta; and Jane (Jason) Britten Brown of Halifax.
Bernie treasured his eighteen grandchildren: Aaron, Jonathan and Elise Marsman; Matthew, Justine and Kathleen Britten; Benjamin, Luke and Madeline Belding; Ava Graham; Michael and Heather Britten; Liam and Simon Kumar-Britten; David, Faith and Elise Britten; and Naomi Brown. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bernie was predeceased by his parents and brothers Elmer, Clem and Lloyd, and sister Eula Samson.
With his keen intellect Bernie graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish NS in 1950 with a double major in chemistry and biology at the age of 17, the youngest person to graduate from that university. He pursued post-graduate studies in physics, math and chemistry before beginning his career in the steel industry.
Bernie and Elise raised their family in Coxheath and Howie Centre, as well as in Belle Vernon Pennsylvania. Bernie was committed to serving his community as an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, teacher as a Life Master Bridge Player and on numerous boards of directors including Children’s Aids Society, Family Services of Eastern Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Mental Health Association, New Dawn Enterprises, St. Rita Hospital, Nova Scotia Research Foundation, Cape Breton Right to Life, and Coalition for Protection of Human Life. He was an active member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Parish for 52 years and served as catechism teacher, Eucharistic minister and on various committees.
Visitation for Bernie will be held from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm on Tuesday August 13, 2019 at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel, 755 George St, Sydney. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Wednesday August 14, 2019 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Parish, Sydney River with Fr. Norman MacPhee officiating, and burial ceremony to follow at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please support the VON, CBRM Hospital Foundation, Cape Breton Right to Life or charity of your choice.
To leave online condolences please visit www.twcurry.com
