Obituary of Guy Arthur Edouard deBurgh Payne

Born on February 17, 1943, he passed away peacefully on Friday, December 1, 2023, in Dykeland Lodge, Windsor, after surviving 15 years with Parkinson’s disease.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth “Betsy” Payne; children, Jason Payne (Danette Kunkel-Payne), Melissa Payne (Richard Brown), Meg (Ted) Bertrand and Jill Payne; grandchildren, Nick Payne, Kaleigh Payne, Lena Payne, Luke Brown, Eric Bertrand, Evan Bertrand and Loë Payne; sister, Barbara Minorgan; nieces, Tiffany Minorgan and Kristin Minorgan-Pinto and their families. 

Guy was born in Montreal to the late John and Jean (Surveyer) Payne and spent much of his childhood between Winnipeg and Montreal. He played both hockey and football growing up and was the captain of the Bishops University hockey team and quarterback for their football team. He gained a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and a Masters in Education and spent his working career as a teacher and coach at King’s Edgehill School. 

Through his more than 45 years of teaching and coaching he has touched many lives, always smiling and offering a kind word of advice. He was a familiar face in track and field meets around the province of Nova Scotia, either as the race starter or supporting the various athletes he knew. He was passionate about helping people grow and achieve their goals, both academic and sporting and would go above and beyond to help in any way he could. 

Those he taught will remember his many stories, used repeatedly in his classes – the new skates, the money in a box, among others, as well as his collection of ties and the words of wisdom he had up on his walls. 

His family will remember him for his enjoyment of music, off-key singing, laughter and love of sports, as well as his support and coaching throughout their lives. 

We want to thank the teams at both Ivany Place, Bedford and Dykeland Lodge for their care and support for Guy during his final years. 

Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317). A memorial service will be held in the summer when the extended family can travel to be together. If you wish to donate in his memory a scholarship is being established for young coaches which you can read about here: www.gofundme.com/f/guy-payne-scholarship or to Dykeland Lodge, 124 Cottage St., Windsor, NS B0N 2T0 (www.dykelandlodge.ca/donate), where he spent his final year. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca.