NOLAN, JOHN RICHARD. It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce John Richard Nolan of Ingonish, NS, peacefully passed away under the outstanding care of the nurses and staff at the Highland Manor in Neil’s Harbour, NS, on the morning of February 20th, 2023.
Richard was born on March 4th, 1944, in Sydney, NS, to the late Johnnie and Edie (MacVicar) Nolan of Ingonish. With the exception of a short stint in Toronto, Richard spent his entire life in Ingonish. Initially, a lobster fisherman, he later went on to work at the NSLC Ingonish Beach for over 29 years. He served as an Honourary Vestry Member of St. John’s Anglican Church and was a member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 105.
If you had the privilege of knowing Richard, even briefly, you were truly blessed. The only thing bigger than Richard was the size of his heart. He had an infectious laugh and loved to tell jokes. He was the first to point out his own flaws but, to us, he was perfect in every way. There are no words to express how much he will be missed by family and friends or to convey our eternal gratitude for having had him in our lives.
Left to mourn is his wife, Sandra Nolan (Samways), sons, Kevin (Mora) and Charles Nolan, sister, Karen Pupulin, brother, Bobby (Ruth Anne) Nolan, sisters-in-law, Marlene Montgomery, and Emmy Lou Wilson (Daniel MacIntyre), brother-in-law, Jamie Wilson, nephews, Brian (Leah) Donovan, Andre (Carolyn) Pupulin, Daniel (Samantha) Nolan, Mac (Lindsay) Montgomery, Cole (Ashley) MacIntyre, and Brett MacIntyre, nieces, Morgan Montgomery (Thomas Pauls), Blair MacIntyre, and Lindsay MacEachern, and his cat and dog, Toby and Buster.
In addition to his parents, Richard was pre-deceased by his in-laws, Fred and Josie Samways & Jim and Anna Wilson, infant son, Kenneth, sister-in-law, Patricia Wilson, brother-in-law, Lloyd Donovan, and sister, Violet Donovan.
The family wishes to pass along our most sincere appreciation and thanks to all of those who helped in Richard’s care over the past several years including the doctors, nurses, and staff at both the Cape Breton Regional and Buchanan Memorial hospitals, the nurses and staff at Highland Manor, and the many homecare staff whose care extended his time at home with us. For those who visited Richard over the years, either at home, in hospital, or at the manor, thank-you; you will never know how much your visits brightened his days and how truly grateful he was for your friendship.
In lieu of flowers, in memorial donations can be made to St. John’s Anglican Church Cemetery Fund, Ingonish, Highland Manor, Neil’s Harbour, or a Cape Breton palliative care hospice association of choice.
Visitation will take place on Saturday February 25th, 2023, from 11AM-2PM at St. John’s Anglican Church, Ingonish, with a celebration of Richard’s life to follow starting at 2PM. Interment will take place at a later date. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.fillmoreandwhitman.com
