Avis de décès de Reginald-William Byron

BYRON, Reginald William - 88, Halifax, died in the afternoon of June 28, 2014, at Melville Heights Retirement Residence. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Edith Byron (Gilliland), his mother Anna Marie Hall (Byron, Taylor), his father Stewart Dunlop Byron and his brothers Stewart Byron, Alfred Hall and step-father James Hall. Reg was born at Moneyrea Street in Belfast, Northern Ireland, June 19, 1926. He grew up on the farm near Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh, N.I. and became an aircraft machinist during WWII. Reg married Edith in August 1952 and immigrated to Toronto, Canada, via a ship named the Arosa Kulm, a voyage he delighted in recounting. Reg worked for A.V. Roe on the AVRO Arrow until it was cancelled (a fact he never forgave) and then in the federal government lastly with Employment and Immigration (where he made many lifelong pals) until June 1987. Reg took early retirement to care for Edith during her first bout with cancer, after which they moved to Parksville, BC. In 1996, Reg and Edith finally moved to Nova Scotia settling in Dartmouth. After Edith's passing in 2001, Reg remained in the "big house" on Castleton Crescent where he enjoyed telling the neighbours to come over for a "bit o'craic" and entertaining the visiting children on Halloween. His final home was at Melville Heights where he is sure to be remembered for his quips and friendly greetings. Reg always enjoyed a joke and a laugh, but also a good argument. Beginning in his teens he was a proud "union man" and always fought for the underdog. He was a card-carrying member of the NDP wherever he lived and kept a discerning eye on politics at all levels. He was passionate about social justice and would admonish those who would suggest the diminishing of social programs. Finally, Reg was a proud Canadian (he became a citizen in May 1964) who celebrated Dominion/Canada Day faithfully with the raising of ever-renewed flags. He also remained a devout Irishman who never forgot the "old country" or his heritage. Reg will most definitely be missed by his daughter Aileen (Byron) and her husband Dane (Brousseau), Ardoise; his son Michael, Austin, Texas; cousin Ann (McDowell), Spain; niece Anne (Chiasson) and her husband Gilles (Lower Sackville); great-niece and nephew Nicole and Taylor (Alexander); and sister-in-law Mary (Beattie), Lower Sackville. Cremation has taken place. An interment for the late Reg and Edith Byron will take place August 7, 2014 (their wedding anniversary) at Dartmouth Memorial Gardens at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Online condolences can be made by visiting www.atlanticfuneralhomes.com (Dartmouth Chapel)