John David Lafford

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of John David Lafford, age 66. He passed away peacefully at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital surrounded by his family. Born at St. Rita's Hospital in Sydney on August 29, 1957. He was the son of the late Levi Lafford and the late Mary Catherine Francis.

John was a loving, caring man who loved everyone around him. He was a carpenter by trade, dry waller and painter. John was a Jack of all trades. He loved his Timmy's coffee and Burger King Whoppers. He loved long trips, camping, karaoke and the sound of fiddle music.

He leaves behind his daughter/niece Amanda Johnson (Nigel), step children Michelle MacDonald, Gail Ferguson, Gerry Locke and his baby girl Malaya, brothers Kevin Lafford (Anita), Kenneth Lafford, Walter Francis Jr. (Audrey), Richard Michael Francis, Jonathan Francis (Lynn), Jonaphan Francis (Kattirin), sisters Eunice Marie Cabot, Mary Francis and Beverly Francis. He will also be missed by his many nieces and nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great great nieces & nephews and uncle Edward Joe. He is also survived by his aunts June Lewis (Fudd), Doris (Keith) Dawson and uncles Andrew, John Henry, Roger, Harry and Benjamin Lafford.

John is predeceased by his wife Sharon MacDonald, grandparents John "Ta'ta" Joe, Mary I. "Kiju Joe", stepfather Walter Francis Sr, brothers Karl Lafford and Fabian Francis, Auntie Tina Young and Wendy Lewis, Uncles Fabian Joe, Bendick Joe, Wilfred Joe, Levi Joe and Alexander Francis and his God parents Dorothy Stevens and John Phillips.

Visitation for family will start at 5pm with public starting at 7pm on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at the Gabriel Centre, Eskasoni. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, Oct. 12 at Holy Family Church, Eskasoni with Fr. Antolin Asor officiating. Interment to follow in the parish cemetery.