Obituary of Garry Douglas Rafuse

Age 73, of Upper Vaughan, died peacefully on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Hants Community Hospital, Windsor, with family by his side. Born in Windsor on October 22, 1951, he was a son of the late Clark and Olive (Rafuse) Rafuse.

Farming was in his blood. From a very young age, Garry worked most of his younger years and early adulthood on the family farm and was very involved with the oxen. He attended local exhibitions and passed on his passion for animals and being in the show ring to his sons, Stephen and Aaron and eventually onto his grandchildren. Garry worked all his life as an avid woodsman, last employed by R.B. Levy Forestry before becoming a small forestry business owner of six years, prior to full retirement. In his later years, he could be found in the wood pile. Garry was famous for sharpening the power saws. Besides farming, his hobby was gardening. He had an exquisite green thumb and the appearance of his garden was always known to be the talk of the community.

Garry is survived by his wife, Heather (Swinamer); sons, Stephen (Vanessa) and Aaron (Fallon); grandchildren, Quinten (Carlee), Hannah (Skyler), Tarissa, Paisley and Easton; fur baby, dog, Rosie; sisters, Betty Chandler; Barbara (John) Leckie and Pearl (Dennis) Mosher; brothers, Lloyd Rafuse and Michael (Pam) Rafuse; adored sister-in-law, Evelyn Rafuse; as well as, many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by sister, Phyllis “Bib”; brothers, Clark “Junior", Paul, Owen (Shirley) and Frank; sister-in-law, Sandy and brother-in-law, Basil Chandler.

Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317), where visitation will be held 6 - 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 2. A public graveside service will be held next week at 11:30 a.m., Thursday July 10 in the Vaughan Community Cemetery, Trunk 14 (Chester Rd.), Vaughan, Celebrant Helen Lindsay officiating. Please bring along a chair and umbrella if needed. A reception will immediately follow in Southwest Hants Fire Hall, 1884 Trunk 14 (Chester Rd.), Vaughan.  Donations in memory of Garry may be made to Upper Vaughan Community Hall, C/O 68 Innes Lane, Upper Vaughan, NS B0N 2T0 (or by emt to: uvcha23@gmail.com) or the Canadian Cancer Society, 5826 South St., Halifax, NS B3H 1S6. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca.