Obituary of Weldon David Swinamer

Age 82, of Windsor, formerly of Upper Vaughan, passed away Monday, September 5, 2022 at home. Born in Windsor on May 13, 1940, he was a son of the late Harry and Jessie (Hume) Swinamer.

Dad worked at McCulley and Soy Lumber Mill at a young age, but most of his career was spent around cars and trucks. Prior to retiring as a mechanic with Nova Scotia Power in 2000, he worked at Boyd’s Bus Service, Boyd’s Transfer, Gordon Shaw Concrete Products, Vernon Shaw Sand and Gravel, RD Holmes, Armstrong and Rafuse and Windsor Motors Ltd.

He was an avid baseball fan, often watching the Blue Jays games, nodding off for a quick nap between innings with the game playing loud enough to drown out Mom’s music. Dad did enjoy music (not always Mom’s) including old country and gospel; they attended many gospel music events in Hants Co. and the South Shore. Dad was not one to travel far but he and Mom enjoyed many trips to Tancook Island. Dad made sauerkraut, pickled cabbage and beans, turnipkraut, preserves, relish, donuts and jellyrolls. Bacon fat was best reserved in the pan to fry an egg in.

Seven kids required coordinating pick-ups, drop offs and generally trying to fetch wayward kids around town. Sometimes they were successful and sometimes not. Dad was a social person. The Shaw family celebrations at one of the family homes or the Crossroads were something he looked forward to because he could socialize, work the room, as well as enjoy a turkey dinner or a plate of fish and chips. He also loved a BBQ hotdog, asking for one in his final days.

He was a long-time member and faithful supporter of the Upper Vaughan Baptist Church. He had roles including deacon, trustee, usher and breakfast chef. Dad also enjoyed working in the woods cutting and hauling wood for the winter. He had a vast knowledge of his woodlot. His memory was excellent even in his final days and could tell a tale in great detail from his childhood or a funny joke.

Weldon is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Florence (Shaw); children, Wanda (Wayne Kehoe), Heather, Doug (Carol Boyd), Alan, Jon (Heather MacDonald), Brian (Trish Patterson) and Tina (Kevin MacAskill); grandchildren, Ange, Jason, Aaron, Jessica, Claire, Ryan, Ella, Rachael, Logan, Erika, Avah and Lila; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Peggy DeAdder; many in-laws, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews on both sides of the family.

Besides his parents, Weldon was predeceased by an infant son, Terry; siblings, Marion Hogan, Robert, Muriel Reeves, Lawrence, Vernon and Lester.

Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317). An Open House will be held from 1-3 p.m., Saturday, September 17 in the South West Hants Fire Hall, 1884 Hwy 14, Vaughan. At the family’s request please wear a mask, for the protection of everyone present. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Family flowers only. Donations in memory of Weldon may be made to South West Hants Fire Society, 1884 Hwy 14, Vaughan, NS B0N 2T0 or Acadia Divinity College, 15 University Ave., Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca