Lloyd John Houston

The oldest of 8, Lloyd learned the importance of family and the value of hard work from a young age. He started working when he started walking, everything from running deliveries for the store, manning the pumps at the station or helping mom in the kitchen. It was in those days that he learned how to make one of the world’s best graham wafer pies and a stunning meringue.

He eventually left his beloved home of Dresden, Ontario to explore the world. At the tender age of just 16 years old he hitchhiked to the nearest recruiting center in London, Ontario to enlist (they told him he was too young and to come back next year. So he did) and thus began an incredible journey of service over a military career that spanned 35 years.

Lloyd - or Sammy to many - made homes and friends across the country from Halifax to Summerside, Trenton and Comox before returning to Halifax for good in 1983 for his retirement posting to Shearwater.

But it was that first posting to CFB Halifax in 1961 that set the foundations for his legacy because that is when he met his one and only true love, Sharon. Theirs is a true 58 year love story born from an unlikely movie night that blossomed into a magical love affair. The magic of that first date never wavered and was obvious to everyone.

Above all else, dad’s life calling was that of devoted husband, father, Grampy, “Bop Bop” and family leader. His most profound advice was to simply be kind and care for people. He lived this advice. He was selfless in his service of others and his children, Leanne, Tim and Todd were always front of his line. There was never any question that he would drop anything instantly for them, no questions asked. They knew they could count on him and their friends knew they could too.

He lived the words “family first” and this was never more true than for his grandchildren. He was immensely proud of Paget, Zachary, Fynn, Kane and Bree and also his chosen grandchildren, Gavin and Hannah. Each knew and felt his love. He lives on in their faces, mannerisms, sayings and smiles.

You could learn everything you needed to know about him just by standing back and watching family gravitate to him. He cherished the Houston family reunions in Ontario. His siblings and many nephews and nieces were always overjoyed to see him.

In his “retirement,” he loved his work as a Commissionaire at the Johnson Building. The friendships he made there meant an incredible amount to him.

He worked all his life but now his work on this earth is done. He will be sadly missed by wife, Sharon (Burke), daughter Leanne (Timberlea), son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Carol (Little Harbour), grandchildren, Paget, Zachary, Fynn, Kane and Bree, special niece Candice (Greg), brothers Richard (Marg), Larry (Natalie), Gary Leo, Gerald and sisters Janet, Linda (John) and Pam (Pat) and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his son, Todd Houston, parents, Richard and Doris Houston (Dresden, Ontario), parents in-law, Jerome and Dorothy Burke (Halifax) and sister-in-law, Jane Condon (Halifax).

Our family is thankful for the incredible medical team that responded with kindness and compassion.

Visitation will be held at J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 from 1pm-5pm. Memorial Service will be on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 2pm from J.A. Snow Funeral Home. Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.