Warren Leonard Tregunno, born September 5, 1928, passed away peacefully on Saturday February 17, 2024 at Parkland, Clayton Park. Warren was born in Halifax to Marian (Molly) and Fred Tregunno and was raised in the family home still fondly referred to as “2 Connaught” off Jubilee Road.
Warren attended Sir Charles Tupper School and then went on to Queen Elizabeth High School graduating in 1946. While at QEHS he played hockey, football and participated in the yearbook committee and business society. He later went on to pursue studies at Nova Scotia Agricultural College as well as Mount Allison University. During WW2, Warren was called home by his father to help work in the family business, Halifax Seed Company, then situated at historic 1887 Granville Street. Later, this building was JJ Rossi’s, then The Flower Shop and is currently Halifax Bridal. In 1960 following the unexpected death of his father, Warren and his younger brother, Paul, suddenly became immersed in taking over the family business. They became committed partners, growing Halifax Seed into the successful family-owned business it is today, with the fourth generation of Tregunnos now at the helm. To say that Dad was immensely proud of Halifax Seed Company would be an understatement. He loved to engage with people and to inform them that the company was established in 1866, one year before Confederation and was the Royal Bank’s oldest account. He was also very proud of his staff over the years who helped make the company what it is today.
Warren met the love of his life, Joan Fraser, on a blind date arranged by Halifax friends who ultimately became in-laws. Joan and Warren married in 1955 and lived in the same home in Westmount subdivision for 61 years where they raised their three children, Tim, Faith and Lesley. Dad was a testament to the saying that “family comes first”. He was loyal to his family, hard-working, generous, and fun-loving. He had a quick wit and keen sense of humour which remained in his later years. His devotion to family was undying and provided children, grandchildren, and all our welcomed circle of friends, with many fond memories of gatherings at “The Camp” at Sherbrooke Lake and “The Farm” in Glen Haven.
Throughout their marriage, many lifelong and valued friendships provided opportunities to socialize, celebrate and partake in long-standing traditions such as Dartmouth Day, New Years Eve parties at the RNSYS and summer boat cruises with the NYE crowd, family Birthday Bashes and “Golden Pond” weekends with their closest friends at the camp, including “Happy Hour” where many stories and memories were shared. Other passions included trips abroad, European riverboat cruises, downhill and cross-country skiing, sailing and boating in St. Margarets Bay to name just a few. Favourite pastimes were wood working, photography, and tending the vegetable gardens. Friends and family were often the recipients of a project from the workshop, a homemade rhubarb pie or, at Christmas, a spectacular amaryllis bulb to enjoy as it grew and blossomed. Barbados became a favourite winter destination where Mum and Dad were well-loved regulars at Casaurina and Bougainvillia. September road trips to the Margaree gave Warren opportunities to relax and to cast a line and fly fish for salmon while Mum took photographs of the scenery to paint at a later date. Dad was an avid sportsman and loved outdoor pursuits such as hunting, fishing, boating and skiing. Many salmon fishing trips were made over the years to Miramichi, Margaree and fishing camps in Newfoundland and Labrador such as the Codroy River and Gray River. He instilled in his children and grandchildren a deep-rooted love for the outdoors whether through hunting, fishing, skiing or boating. Mum and Dad shared a love for the simple beauty found in nature, a sunny day, a blue sky, a deep blue ocean or a fiery sunset. Together they loved quiet times on the deck at the farm in Glen Haven counting the deer in the field, picking berries and cultivating the vegetable garden. Once Dad could no longer drive, they enjoyed our regular weekend drives to Eastern Passage, Herring Cove, Peggy’s Cove and St. Margaret’s Bay. “Not a cloud in the sky” meant it was always a great day for a drive! Because of Dad’s extensive travelling all throughout the Maritimes for business, he knew every road in the province and while “riding shotgun” in latter years would often announce what was coming up on the road ahead, be it a golf course, a lake or a road to someone’s cottage - he was always right!
Throughout his life he was part of several social and charitable organizations. Dad was a long-time member of the Waegwoltic Club, a lifetime member of Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron which he joined in 1951, Rotary Club of Halifax member, a freemason with St. Andrew’s Lodge of Halifax, member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, and through Halifax Seed was a member of Canadian Seed Trade Association. He was instrumental in starting a seed donation program for developing countries to help boost food security and this program continues to this day. In his retirement he volunteered as a driver for delivery of Meals on Wheels for over ten years.
Warren will be deeply missed by our family including daughters, Faith (Gordon) and Lesley; daughter-in-law, Nancy, his brother, Paul (Sheila), sister-in-law Gretchen Gillis, grandchildren Emily (Fraser), Alison (Mitch), Matthew (Katie) and Jillian (Mark), great grandchildren Sadie Moir, Jackson and Avery Gallant, Irelie Gaudet and Madison Balcombe and many nieces and nephews. Warren was pre-deceased by his wife and soul mate, Joan (2018), his son, Tim, (2012), parents Fred (1960) and Molly (1992) as well as his older siblings Marian, Fay and Norman.
The Tregunno family wish to extend thanks to staff at both Melville Heights Retirement Residence and Parkland Clayton Park for their combined compassionate care over the past nine years.
Arrangements have been entrusted to J A Snows Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made on their website. Family internment to follow in the spring. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Hope Blooms or to St. Andrew's Lodge #1 Sunshine Fund (www.standrewsno1.org) or a charity of your choice.
Visitation Sunday February 25, 2pm to 5pm, J. A. Snow Funeral Home, Lacewood Dr. Celebration of Life Tuesday February 27, 10am at J. A. Snow Funeral Home
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