Obituary of Brian Reid Benedict

It is with deep love and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Brian Reid Benedict, of Curry’s Corner, Hants County. He died peacefully on Sunday, September 14, 2025, in Hants Community Hospital, Windsor. Born in Windsor, on November 23, 1948, he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.

Brian is survived by his wife, Vera (Harvey) Benedict; daughters, Lisa Johnson (Mike), Falmouth, Jennifer Benedict (Ivan), Indian Brook, and Melissa Benedict, Kentville; grandchildren, Ivan Knockwood Jr. and Kota Knockwood (Skye), all of Indian Brook, Shaylin Johnson and Connor Johnson (Becca), all of  Falmouth; great-grandson, Kota Jr. Knockwood-Denny, Indian Brook; brothers, Gerald (Debbie) Benedict, Curry’s Corner, and Lynn Benedict, Three Mile Plains; sister, Dawn (Curtis) McCulloch, Three Mile Plains; his Harvey family: sisters-in law, Jocelyn (Ralph) Wardrope, Cynthia Young, Pamela (Bob) MacDonald, and Deanna Harvey; brothers-in-law, Bruce (Jean) Harvey, Perry (Cathy) Harvey, and Kirby (Connie) Harvey.

He was predeceased by his parents, Frederick “Raymond” and Kathleen Agnes (Baxter) Benedict; sisters, Andrea Benedict, Marilyn Symms, Gloria Gormley, Sharon Benedict, and Patricia Dearman; brother, Gary Benedict; sister-in-law, Lou Ann Harvey.

Dad grew up in Three Mile Plains, where he met his sweetheart, Vera (Harvey), his wife of over 55 years. In 1975 he built the house in Newport Station where he and Mum raised their three daughters, or ‘Queenies’ as he liked to call them, whom he loved so very much. He taught the girls anything that he would have taught a son, including how to fish, trap minnows, dig for worms, and drive a Ski-Doo, four-wheeler, and motorboat. To his great delight, Dad became “Papa” to four grandchildren and a special great-grandson. They brought an enormous amount of happiness to his life and he loved spending time with them, including having them for overnight visits, driving to town with the country classics playing, and taking them fishing and hunting.

Dad was a carpenter by trade and a proud member of the Carpenters Union Local 83 for over 55 years. After “retiring”, he continued to work for himself and his reputation as a craftsman who took pride in the quality and soundness of his work meant that his skills were always in demand. In his younger years he enjoyed playing broomball, golf, pulling tug of war, and boy could he land a dart exactly where he wanted to on the dartboard. He took home many dart trophies, and later that would change to bowling trophies once he discovered that he could throw a pretty mean ball down the lane. Dad spent many a Saturday night with Mum at the dances at St. Croix Hall, taking her for spins around the dance floor. They loved to go camping and they spent many summers at Evangeline Beach and going on overnight four-wheeling trips with their buddies. In recent years they enjoyed touring around the province in their Mustang convertible.

If you knew Dad well, you know that a big part of his life revolved around “the lake” (Panuke Lake). After building the camp in the cove there was little he liked better to do than spend time there year-round with family and friends, and he did so for over 30 years. The many entries written in the camp logs tell story after story of the trips and adventures that were had there over the years, some of which still make us chuckle. He enjoyed playing cards, sitting around the table chatting with visitors, boating around to visit friends at other camps (and a houseboat or two), hunting, and fishing at his favourite spots—like the canal, Stoney Brook, up the Armstrong, and a few others (if you know you know).

Nothing was more important to Dad than his family; he was a devoted husband, Dad, and Papa, and we loved him fiercely in return. Along with his love and affection, we will especially miss his ever-present sense of humour and the quick wit that he was known for.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Cassandra MacLean and Amber Phillips for providing such exceptional care and support over the past nine months and to the special nurses on unit 200 at the Hants Community Hospital for their compassionate care during Dad’s final stay. It was a great comfort for Dad to be at home in the care of his loving wife until shortly before he so gently passed.

Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317). By request, there will be no visitation. A celebration of life will be held between 2:00–4:00 p.m., Sunday, September 28 at the St. Croix Hall, 18 Cemetery Road, St. Croix. Donations in Dad’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca.