Person Page - 1165

Marilyn Joan Bezanson, 83, of Sedona, AZ, passed away on July 28, 2018 at her home with family and friends. She was born January 7, 1935 in Mount Royal Quebec, Canada, the daughter of Marion and Daniel Drummond Mackay.

Marilyn is survived by her husband of sixty-two years, Fred Bezanson. They lived in Peterborough, Ontario and then in the Chicago area for forty years before moving to Arizona twenty-one years ago. She is also survived by her sister Margaret Mackay; by her two sons, Michael (wife Mary) and Randy (wife Jill) and three grandchildren; as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

Marilyn was a friend to all. She sang in the choirs of various churches for decades, "patterned" for disabled children, delivered meals to Seniors in Sedona, and always had time for a chat with a friend - old or new.²

The family of Dave Leese of Westville wishes to announce he passed peacefully in his sleep on November 16, 2020 in Ivey's Terrace. Born March 11, 1939, Dave was the only son of the late Winsome Willo (Bezanson) and Joseph Thomas Leese.

Dave grew up in a home that valued music for every event, as a result he was a talented singer and musician. Dad played the accordion (both piano and button), the banjo, the Hawaiian guitar, and if you were really lucky you might hear him sing and play out a tune on the piano. As a young man he toured with the Lyric Male Chorus with his mother and father, and it was after church one Sunday that he met the love of his life, Lenora Gail Sim of Thorburn. Dave worked as a commercial salesman for many years, eventually becoming a small-engine mechanic for the remainder of his career. Dave also raised two children, David Alan (Marjorie), Westville and Wanda (Todd Pellerine), Enfield. He was the type of Dad who taught you skills that you never knew you might need. And if he didn't teach it to you, don't worry because if you needed it fixed or figured out, he could always make that happen. While he was doing all of that, he had a vision. He worked a great part of his life with his father on a dream to open a park that could allow seniors and those with disabilities to enjoy the outdoors in a way that brought them joy, free of charge, so everyone could participate. They started in 1971 to build what eventually opened in December of 1986 as Lansdowne Outdoor Recreational Development Association (LORDA). His family supported him in this dream over the years, enjoying many summers welcoming visitors to the park. The hours Dave put in could not ever be counted, but the joy he reaped from this endeavor was immeasurable. Hosting Summer Street Industries each year and others, including the Children of Chernobyl, were highlights of his year and left him smiling for weeks afterwards. The dream of his and his father was a huge success, and Dave received numerous awards over the years honoring his work including Awards of Merit from the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and a Meritorious Service Medal from the Western Star Lodge, A.F. & A.M. No. 50 which he proudly displayed in his home. One of his most exciting awards was the Rick Hansen Excellence Award presented by Rick Hansen on behalf of his Foundation, for which he travelled to Banff. Dave also led the park to receive the Award of Excellence for Innovation and Leadership from the Canada 2000 Parks and Recreation Association. No one was prouder than Dave and his family when he accepted his Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

Dave leaves behind his two children; grandchildren, Joey Leese, Calgary; David Leese, Halifax; Noah and Abby Pellerine, Enfield; and step grandson, Rahshawn Weir, Alma. Dave is also survived by many special cousins of the Bezanson clan, as well as cousin, Doris Baudoux, White Hill, who grew up next door and was like a sister.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. in Eagles Funeral Home, Westville with private service Friday at 2 p.m. which will be live streamed (link to be posted Thurday). Family flowers only. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of the VON and Pictou RCU, as well as Dr. Elliott and the staff at Ivey's Terrace, who treated Dave like he was family.⁴

BEZANSON, Alice Marian – In hospital on Tuesday, July 25, Alice Marian Bezanson, age 34, treasured wife of Keith; loving mother to Kathryn (age 6) and Sarah (age 2); much loved daughter of Dr. Eric and Grace Mutrie, of Guelph; beloved sister of Mrs. Felix Baele (Nancy), Ottawa; Robert, Ottawa; and David, Toronto; much loved daughter-in-law of Walter and Eileen Bezanson and precious friend to many. Memorial service on Friday, July 28th., 11 o'clock a.m. MacKay United Church, 257 MacKay Street, Ottawa.¹

MacKINNON, Arthur Thomas 'Art'

January 29, 1942 May 2, 2018. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Arthur Thomas MacKinnon of Westville. Art was born on January 29th on the same day as his wife of 55 years, Ann (Whooten) MacKinnon. He was the eldest son of the late Thomas and Margaret (Bezanson) MacKinnon.

Art was proud of his childhood growing up in the 'Black Diamond.' He was a graduate of Westville High School and was the first of three students to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Dalhousie University in 1964.

Art worked his entire career at Campbell's Pharmacy in Westville, eventually purchasing the business from John Campbell. He was a dedicated community Pharmacist that could be called on at all hours of the night or on holidays to open the store for a family who needed medicine for a fevered baby or an urgent refill of medication. He was loved by his customers who trusted his advice but also being entertained by a joke or one of his many stories.

Art loved to laugh at himself as much as anything and his antics usually kept him well supplied with comedic material. But it was outside where Art found his real joy. He loved his British motorcycles, fishing the local brooks and hunting for the biggest buck. He instilled this same passion in his best friend and son Blair. He loved puttering in his veggie gardens in town and at the cottage in Lismore often with a beer in hand. He enjoyed travelling with Ann but his favorite moments were cracking lobsters and building bonfires at the cottage with his children and grandchildren. Art will be remembered as the parent who took all of the neighbourhood kids trick or treating and for his fireworks displays at Hallowe'en. He and Ann loved their annual Canada Day Party on North Main Street welcoming their children's growing circle of friends and having the backyard pool sparking so you could tell if a quarter was heads or tail in the deep end. He was a supporter of many community initiatives and a mentor for many a young pharmacist. He was a long-time board member of the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia.

Art was predeceased by his parents, and son, Thomas Blair Arthur MacKinnon.

He is survived by his wife, Ann (Whooten); daughter, Crystal and son-in-law, Sean Murray of Pictou; daughter, Lisa and son-in-law, Shane Sponagle of Scotsburn; daughter-in-law, Caroll MacKinnon; brother, Clarrie MacKinnon and sister- in-law, Mary K. MacKinnon; grandchildren, Ryan (Tiffany), Evan (Kelly), Olivia MacKinnon, Benjamin, Mac, Georgia, Tess Murray and Jack and Michael Sponagle; nephew, Kent (Tina) MacKinnon, and nieces, Jyl (Trevor) MacKinnon-Robinson and Sarah MacKinnon.

Cremation has taken place. Arrangements are under the direction of Eagles Funeral Home, Westville. No visitation by request. A celebration of Art's life will take place at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8th in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Church Street, Westville, Rev. Jim Webber Cook presiding.²