John Henry Nugent

With a niece and a nephew at his side, John Nugent died peacefully and somewhat unexpectedly on Sunday, March 18, 2018 at Regina General Hospital at the age of 92 years. Uncle John was a farmer. He was born and raised on the Nugent Farm near Dilke, SK and was involved in the operation of the farm for his entire life. In 2010 John was awarded the ISC Century Family Farm Award. John loved everything about farming -- including the odd complaint that accompanied it. He trained as a mechanic in Saskatoon, took a course in refrigeration and was a self-taught welder. After the untimely death of his father in 1941, John was thrust into the role of family patriarch. With John's assistance his mother Marie was able to stay on the farm until she reached 98 years of age. John loved to discuss his ‘theories’ about life, nature, farming and how things work with friends and family. John’s coffee press, tea kettle and his supply of cookies were always at the ready when a visitor arrived. John was the proud owner of a 1949 John Deere “A” tractor which he restored and drove in parades. In his younger years, John was an avid and, by most accounts, very good hockey and baseball player. John and Marie successfully escaped about 20 Canadian winters by travelling south to Oregon or California to stay with Eileen or Ella. John was predeceased by his parents Bill and Marie and his siblings: Sister Rosa Nugent, Ella Scully (who passed away three days before John), Father Frank Nugent, Eileen Padilla, Charles Nugent and Helen who died in infancy. John is survived by three children of Ella and Dennis Scully: Kevin, Maureen and Michael; and five children of Charles and Dolores Nugent: Rose Marie, Michael, Mary Ann, James and Carol; as well as their respective families. You don’t operate a farm for as many years as John without some assistance. Great friends and neighbors together with the children of Charles and Dolores served as John’s support network in his later years. John’s family would like to say a special thanks to Ken McArton (a great neighbor to have), Gerard Gartner, Mervin Smith, Frank Fuchs, and Brian McArton. John remained active in his farm business until the end. He sold his last load of mustard this year. John’s faith was important to him. He was a lifelong member of St. Boniface Church in Dilke. John served on the church board in various capacities and was involved in digging the basement when the church was first constructed. As long as any of us can remember, Uncle John has had a saying on his wall, “Who Plants a Seed beneath the Sod and Waits to See Believes in God”. Goodbye ‘old sodbuster’. Good luck on your journey . . . Prayers will be held on Friday March 23, 2018 at Victoria Avenue Funeral Home, 2080 Victoria Avenue East, Regina, Saskatchewan at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Boniface Church at Dilke, Saskatchewan. In lieu of flowers please donate to Dilke Cemetery Fund, St. Boniface Church or the charity of your choice.