K. John Pickford

Kenneth John (Pick) Pickford, Captain (Navy) MSM, CD, RCN (ret’d), passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love ones, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Halifax, John was the son of the late Jack and Helen (Crease) Pickford (Ottawa).

John, a devoted husband and father, will be greatly missed by his wife Heather (Armstrong), and his daughters Sarah (Shawn Flynn), and Jessica (Jeff Fraser). He was a dear and loving “Grampy Pick” to grandchildren Isabelle, Josh, Zach, Angus, Abby and Hazel.

While growing up, John attended several schools, both in Canada and the UK during his father’s naval career. He attended Queen Elizabeth High School and then Dalhousie University, playing on their varsity football teams. While at Dal he pledged at Sigma Chi fraternity where he made lifelong friends who, over a course of fifty plus years, have been unwavering in their support of each other. Graduating in 1971, he took several odd jobs and joined the navy in 1973, the same year he married Donna McCrea with whom he shares his two daughters.

During his naval career he served in HMCS’ ASSINIBOINE, ANNAPOLIS, IROQUOIS, SKEENA and ALGONQUIN. He served as an instructor at the Canadian Forces Fleet School and attended the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College in Toronto. In July 1990, after a year as Executive Officer of HMCS PROTECTEUR, he deployed to the Persian Gulf as Commanding Officer of HMCS ATHABASKAN, flagship of the Canadian Naval Task Group during the Gulf War.

Later in his career he served in many shore establishments including Fleet School Halifax, Maritime Command HQ, National Defence HQ, the Fifth Maritime Operations Group and MacDill AFB, Tampa, Fla. He was the project manager of the Canadian Naval Centennial 1910-2010 and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his efforts with regard to the Centennial. After 37 years of service to his country, he retired in 2010.

He was the Prior Emeritus (Atlantic) with the Order of St. George in the rank of Knight Grand Cross. He received the Significant Sigma Chi Award, was a member of the Naval Association of Canada, a previous Board of Director with the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust, honorary member of the Royal Military College Ex-Cadet Club (S129), member of Sigma Chi International Fraternity and the Crow’s Nest Club of St. John’s, NL.

Following in his parents’ footsteps, John took up golf and spent many fun and frustrating years working on improving his game. What he loved most about golf were the friendships and memories he made. In addition to golf, John was an avid gardener, a hobby he fondly shared with his daughter, Jessica.

But above all else, John loved and cherished his family, they were the light of his life. He was immensely proud of Sarah and Jessica and all they’ve accomplished in their lives, including their choice of husbands and his six beautiful grandchildren. ‘Grampy Pick’ loved nothing more than bundling up in a cold hockey rink, spending hours in a gym watching volleyball, or cheering on the side of Lake Banook, to watch proudly as his grandchildren participated in their sports.

John re-married in 2001 to Heather and they enjoyed many years of love, friendship, travel, golf, and wonderful times with family, friends and their dogs. After moving from Ottawa to Halifax in 2013, they were quickly immersed in after school pick-ups, shuttling grandkids to various activities, and babysitting grandchildren (both human and furry)! It was exactly what they wanted to be doing. John found great joy in being able to spend this time with his daughters and their families.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 2pm at JA Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax. Internment will take place at the National Military Cemetery in Ottawa at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust.