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PHINNEY, Norman Horton Roger (43097)

Parents

Birth

  • Born on March 19, 1943 in Middleton, Annapolis Co., NS

Death

  • Died on July 26, 2022 in Halifax, Halifax Regional Municipality, NS

Marriages

Children

Notes

  • Occupation: Gulf Oil Employee/ President of J.L. Nichols Contracting/ Owner of Novacon Building/ Construction Manager at Wilson Fuel Co.
  • Obituary: N.H. Roger Phinney, age 79, of Halifax, passed away peacefully at home Tuesday July 26, 2022. Born in Middleton March 19, 1943, he was a son of Norman Donald Phinney and Gertrude Gladstone McKenna. He is survived by his loving and beloved family; wife of 52 years, Irene; daughters, Andrea Phinney (Colin Brooks) and Lisa (Andrew) Langley, and the lights of his life, his grandchildren, Olivia, Ruby, and Sawyer. Also survived by his sister, Donna Smith; nephews, Steve and Matei; nieces, Penelope, Tamara, and Ulana, and cousins, Lauren, Joy, Jerry, Glenn, Jim, Norman, and Doug. Predeceased by his parents; special aunt, Jean McKenna, and several aunts and uncles. The king of Dad jokes and expressions such as "so excruciating I could squeeze a grape", "you out-fumbled me" (when you were not fast enough to pay for dinner), and "is the water wet?", Roger was loved by all who knew him, including his family, his children's friends and his close friends including the Old Farts Club of the BATANS car group, which he helped to organize and which was a big part of his life. His legendary groaners are still being told by his children and grandchildren, much to his delight. A "car nut" and "clock nut", Roger's motto was "Duct tape can fix anything", except maybe an XK150 engine and his girls' broken hearts. Roger went through life looking on the bright side; "minimize the negative, maximize the positive" he always said. He approached all situations with a dose of humour, tossing in a pun or one-liner when least expected. In his younger days Roger spent summers at Kedgemakooge Lodge, run by his family, and the spirit of Kedge remained a part of him for his life. He also spent many hours at Phinney's music store "stringing tennis rackets" and discovering his considerable musical talent playing on all the pianos. His piano playing '96 by ear '96 was divine and will be missed. His children jokingly think that they were simply a "means to an end" '96 that what Roger really wanted was grandchildren. He got his wish with Olivia, Ruby and Sawyer who were all the loves of his life. He loved hearing them share stories of their days, their adventures; celebrating successes with them and offering up his legendary Grampie Hugs when they were sad. Roger worked at Gulf Oil, was a successful business man as president of J.L. Nichols Contracting and then his own company Novacon Builders, and was particularly fond of his final gig before his reluctant retirement, Construction Manager at Wil- son Fuel Company. His work building and renovating many McDonald's, Wilsons and Esso Stations throughout the region, along with special projects Village Green Car Company and the Reid residence, brought him great pride and satisfaction. Dad was the best of the best. It's mind boggling how one person can hold all the good qualities of humans. He was everything. Kind, compassionate, hilarious, generous, patient, smart, practical but somehow also a dreamer. It mattered so deeply to him to make others feel respected and loved. He truly listened, and in doing so allowed you to learn what it was that you needed to learn, and always allowed for you to be just how you are. Never imposing his own agenda. Never trying to change you. It was the most beautiful of qualities and if we could all just channel a teeny bit of the beauty of this man the world would be a better place. Our hero and now our angel. He always said "you get out of life what you put into it". He poured his heart and soul into everything and everyone he loved. And we never met a single person who did not think the world of him. There were many charities close to his heart; he was instrumental in founding the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia in honour of his mother, fundraised annually for the ALS Society in honour of his good friend, and renovated the Halifax Ronald McDonald House in the 90s. His love of children and animals was such a big part of who he was, and in lieu of flowers his family would like to direct donations to Ronald McDonald House and to the Nova Scotia SPCA in his memory. A celebra- tion of his wonderful life will be held August 16th at 2 p.m., at 1365 Church St. Vineyard and Winery, Port Williams. All family and friends are welcome to attend, and be sure that when you leave you are "sufficiently sophonsified" ("google it!"). To leave an online condolence, please visit: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com Remember Me Fill not your hearts with pain and sorrow, but remember me in every tomorrow. Remember the joy, the laughter, the smiles, I've only gone to rest a little while. Although my leaving causes pain and grief, my going has eased my hurt, and given me relief. So dry your eyes and remember me, not as I am now, but as I used to be. Because, I will remember you all, and look on with a smile. Understand in your hearts, I've only gone to rest a little while. As long as I have the love of each of you, I can live my life in the hearts of all of you.

Sources

  • Halifax Chronicle Herald: Obituary August 2,2022

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