The family of Alfred Arthur “Teedie” Chiasson, age 91, are heartbroken to announce his passing on Thursday, April 30, 2020 at The Cape Breton Regional Hospital after a brief illness. Teedie was born in New Waterford, NS, to Thomas and Marie (LeBlanc) Chiasson.
Teedie graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in 1949. After completing his Education degree, he went on to teach at the all-girls Holy Angels High School in Sydney. He had the distinction of being the first male teacher in the history of the school. He later became Principal of MacDonald High School in Dominion, Supervisor of Schools in Dominion and finished his career with the Cape Breton District School Board.
After retirement, he discovered the travel bug, and, along with his beloved wife, Joan, spent years as a step-on guide for cruise ships out of the Port of Sydney. As a team they travelled broadly, also working for 13 years as tour guides with Anna McGoldrick Musical Tours.
Teedie was a natural athlete, playing hockey, rugby, and baseball as a youth and young adult and was a member of the Lingan Golf and Country Club and the Sydney Curling Club for many years. He was captain of the St. FX hockey team in 1949. Teedie dearly loved his alma mater. St. FX was where he met the love of his life, Joan Currie of Glace Bay. He was always deeply appreciative of the sense of joyful camaraderie, the richness of community and lasting friendships St. FX afforded both him and his wife. Always a team, Teedie and Joan were active in the Eastern Chapter of St. FX Alumni and rarely missed homecoming weekends, gala dinners and sporting events. He was also a lifetime member of the Cape Breton Metros Hockey Association, which began hosting national invitational high school hockey tournaments in the 1970’s.
A faithful member of St. Theresa’s Church, Teedie was involved in all aspects of the church: lector, Eucharistic minister and parish council. He was an active 4th degree member of the Sydney Knights of Columbus and remained involved at the weekly KOC bingo.
Teedie loved family travel, a good game of crib, tarabish, bridge and the daily Cape Breton Post crossword. He spent 67 years dancing with the love of his life, Joan. He took great joy in sharing his tickets to The Master’s Golf Tournament in Augusta Georgia each year with family and friends.
Teedie was a quiet man of great faith, who was fiercely loyal and honest. He was very proud of his children, always working to instill traits of integrity, hard work and fairness. He was a calming influence who always gave confidence to those around him that they could do anything they put their mind to.
Besides his parents, Teedie was predeceased in 2019 by his loving wife, Joan, his sisters Marie, Lucy and Josephine, as well as brothers Charlie and Joseph. He is survived by his six children: Bernie (Debbie), Paul, Gerard, Jeanine (Nick) Clague, Gregory and Robert. He is also survived by grandchildren Ciana, Erin, Laura, Conor and Julia, his sister-in-law Joanie Currie and several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of TW Curry, Sydney. There will be no visitation at this time. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday October 2, 2021 at St. Theresa's at 11 am with Fr. Dennis Lamey officiating. Words of comfort may be shared with the family by visiting www.twcurry.com. In lieu of flowers, a donation to a local food bank would be greatly appreciated.
