It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, Timothy David (Sonny) Nearing. Sonny passed away peacefully, at home on December 17, 2019 in Glace Bay, with his family by his side.
Sonny was born on July 16, 1937 in Glace Bay and was the son of the late Timothy Patrick Nearing and Sarah (Barrett) Nearing.
Sonny was a member of the Royal Highland Regiment (RHR) Black Watch, lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 3 Glace Bay, and also worked at Cape Breton Development Corporation (Devco) for most of his life until retirement. He had a passion for wood-working, which led to the development of Poppy’s Workshop in the garage, where he worked for hours on building highly detailed wooden toys for his children and grandchildren over the years, with his most recent work being a Hummer truck which he was very proud of. Dad also enjoyed fixing old TV’s and radios, music and learning to play the guitar. Dad also enjoyed company and his door was open to anyone and everyone. He loved spending time with his kids as they grew up, and later his grandkids where he taught them how to play cards, dress as spiffy as he did, learn to love “wrastling,” and even how to drive the car. During the summer, he also enjoyed spending time with his family at Whale Cove in Margaree where road trips listening to Daniel O’Donnell or Willie Nelson were commonplace.
Sonny is survived by his wife of 62 years, Edna (Turner) Nearing, sister Grace (Allan Atwood), son David (Sandra Rowe), Glace Bay, and daughters Darlene, Glace Bay and Sandra (Bernie), Halifax; grandsons Taylor and Aaron Cameron, Halifax, David (Connie Timmons) and Brian (Bryna Mercer) Nearing, Glace Bay; granddaughters Tammy Melnick and Neila Stubbard, Glace Bay and MaryAnne (Arthur Flemming) Nearing, Elmsdale; great-grandsons Austin, Ethan, Keaton, Brycen, Colby and Blake, great-granddaughter Carley as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Also surviving are his sisters-in-law, Janet House and Nacy Duncan, in addition to his self-rescued feline companion Bushes, who will forever miss his companionship.
Besides his parents, Sonny is predeceased by his brothers, Norman Duncan, Barry Wagg, sister, Shirley Somers, and 2 children in infancy.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation for Sonny will be held at Patten Funeral Home, 71 Union Street, Glace Bay, on Sunday, December 22, 2019 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 23, 2019 at St. Mary’s Church, Marconi Street, Glace Bay, with Rev. Dorothy Miller officiating. A reception will follow in the church hall. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sonny’s memory to the Nova Scotia Lung Association, Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County, St. Mary’s Church, or a charity of choice. On-line condolences may be made to Pattenfuneral.com.
Dad, your guiding hand on our shoulder will remain with us forever.
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