Pearson, Dennis Gordon

Antigonish, NS

October 01, 1938 - July 31, 2025

Pearson, Dennis Gordon, Antigonish, was born on October 1st, 1938 and passed away peacefully on July 31st, 2025. This is his story in his own words…

By the above date, it would seem my ‘best before’ date has expired. It must be by the grace of God that I’ve lived this long.

I was born in the ‘Dirty Thirties’, number four in a family of nine. My mother and father survived the Spanish Flu, the First World War and the Great Depression. They started a family around 1934 in the Whitney Pier area of Sydney, NS. I recall that the pollution from the steel plant and the coal piers left a coat of iron ore and coal dust on everything; even the clothes my mother washed by hand. Every house in Sydney burned either coal or coke to keep warm. Most men smoked cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, or chewed tobacco. We swam in Sydney Harbour even though the sewers emptied into it and survived over 18 common childhood diseases. All thirty children in our class shared a spoon to take the cod liver oil given to us by the Sisters.

The darkness of the Second World War descended upon us and the food rations and stamp books given to families limited the amount of food items we could buy. This continued from 1942 to July of 1954, and it was a great burden for our struggling parents to provide food for all of us.

If I ever needed the reassurance of the immense good there is in people, I had but to look at my three sisters – Brenda, Rhodena (Chickie) and my late sister, Anita. Their incredible willingness to help their families and friends over the years was inspiring to me. I would not have known joy without you, my sisters – true gems- rare and precious. I loved you all of my life!

I spent a brief, but rewarding time with the religious order, the Graymoor Friars and then was privileged to work at St. Martha’s Hospital for the Sisters of St. Martha for 30 years as Chef and Assistant Director of Food Services.

I reflect on the amazing number of family, friends, neighbors and buddies who passed before me and who will be there to greet me in Heaven. Although, if God doesn’t have a sense of humor, I could be in trouble!

Thank you to those who loved me and to those who cared…God bless.

Dennis is survived by his children and stepchildren; Darlene, Howard, Glen (Lori), Ann, and Mike (Trudy); sisters, Brenda and Chickie (Terry); grandchildren, Craig (Rachelle), Amanda, Kayla, and Natasha; great-granddaughter, Haisley May; several nieces and nephews; and his Keating Court ‘Family’.

Besides his parents, Cecil and Jane (Mombourquett) Pearson, Dennis was predeceased by sisters Rhodena Pearson (in childhood); Anita MacKenzie and her husband Thomas; brother-in-law, Dave Linton, brothers Ronald and Aussie Pearson; three siblings in infancy; and nephew, Terrence MacKinnon.

Most notably though, Dennis lost his beautiful wife, Joan (Hadley) Pearson just over a year ago. Once he had their affairs settled, he let it be known that his wish was to join her. "I’ve had a good life – a lot of laughs. I’m ready to go and be with Joan. I miss my wife."

To say we will miss Dad, Papa, Dennis, Denny, ‘Dunk’, is an understatement. He was one of a kind. But, knowing he’s with Joan again makes our loss a little bit easier to bear.

There will be a graveside service held at St. Ninian’s Cemetery on Tuesday, August 5th at 4:00 pm. Family flowers only, please.

Any donations made in Dennis’ memory may be sent to St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Palliative Care Program - What a tremendous group of people they are!