Obituary of Bazil Maurice Rogers

Age 86, of Avonport, passed away on Sunday, November 23, 2025 in Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville. He was born on February 9, 1939, in Wolfville, to the late Manford and Bertha (Tracey) Rogers.

Bazil grew up in Lockhartville and shortly after finishing middle-school, he began his iron-work career constructing bridges, buildings, communication towers and anything else that was held up by a large steel frame!

Being an Ironman took him to job sites in every corner of Nova Scotia and throughout Canada, including as far west as Vancouver, BC. He met his future lovely wife, Monique Anne Marie Thibault in Campbellton, New Brunswick, while building the 2,641 foot long J.C. Van Horner Bridge over the mighty Restigouche River. They married on February 2, 1963 in Sudbury, Ontario and started their family there with the birth of their daughter, Carol. They decided Nova Scotia was where they wanted to live their lives together, so they moved to Hantsport, where their son, Steven, was born. Bazil lived in Hantsport until his beloved Monique passed away in 2009 and soon after returned to Lockhartville for a few years before finally “settling-down” in Avonport.

Bazil loved the Annapolis Valley and the people in it. He travelled the back and winding roads of Nova Scotia and dropped in to visit old friends and made new ones along the way. When he wasn’t on the road or on a jobsite, he loved working with steel at home. He built anything that was needed and lots of things that were not! He made many folksy-lawn ornaments of people out of steel and gave them to friends and family, many of which are proudly displayed in gardens throughout the country. He also loved anything old, such as tools and gas engines. He was a proud member of the Nova Scotia Antique Engine and Tractor Association, educating people about the “Power From the Past”. Aside from steel, Bazil also enjoyed collecting fire-wood. He truly loved cutting, splitting, hauling and burning firewood, whether it be from his woodlot or from driftwood on Blue Beach.

Bazil is survived by his daughter, Carol; son, Steven (Jackie); grandchildren, Lydia MacNeil, Jacob, Melissa, Michaela Day and Colby Day; sisters, Lorna Cosman and Darlene; many cousins, which included his favourites, Roy and Richard Duncan; and Leona MacPherson.

Aside from his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, John; and companion, Connie MacPherson.

The family extends their deepest gratitude to Roy Duncan and the staff at the VON Homecare and N&S Hearts to Homecare Ltd., whose compassionate daily support allowed Bazil to remain in the comfort of his own home until his passing, a wish that meant everything to him!

Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317), where the family will receive visitors to celebrate and remember Bazil on Friday, December 5 between 12 and 2 p.m., in the funeral home’s Elmcroft Reception Centre. No flowers by request, however, donations in memory of Bazil may be made to the LungNSPEI, 200-6331 Lady Hammond Rd., Halifax, NS B3K 2S2 (1-800-451-2221). Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca