Obituary of Elwood Owen

Age 89, Sheet Harbour, It is with profound sadness and broken hearts we announce the death of our Dad and Pup. Dad passed peacefully away surrounded by his loving family Thursday, October 29, 2020 at home. He was the son of George and Grace (MacKeil) Owen born on September 14, 1931. As a young boy, Dad was raised in the beautiful small community of Sheet Harbour where he enjoyed most of his life to the fullest with his family, friends and his community. Dad found his true love of his life when a young nurse, Evelyn (Eve) Newcombe, came to work at the local hospital. They courted for a short time before they got married in November 1955. They worked hard together to provide the warm loving home they would bring up their children and eventually enjoy their grandchildren. A place that everyone was welcomed and provided second to none hospitality. Dad started his working career at a young age doing many various jobs. He worked at logging for long stints in the woods, did some surveying, worked on the construction of three of five Sheet Harbour bridges, Duncan MacMillan High School, St. James United Church & Hall, contract work with Maritime Foundation Steel, was employed at the Sheet Harbour Pulp Mill until the washout in 1971 and shortly after he started a career at the Dept of Highways where he retired in 1991. Dad was an avid hunter where he enjoyed his yearly hunting trips back to Sugar Hill with the gang. He loved to play ball. He played competitively with the Spry Harbour Atoms Intermediate A Fastball Team; the team was recently inducted into the Maritime Sports Hall of Fame. Dad had a great commitment to his community, he was an Honorary Member of the Sheet Harbour Fire Department and EMO. He was passionate about his church and was a long time Elder and volunteer with St James United Church. He was often referred to as the Mayor of Sheet Harbour where he took pride in welcoming visitors and give them a quick history lesson of the area. Dad enjoyed his card parties, loved to travel with Mom and his extended family, was an amazing story teller/historian, was a prankster and loved to dress up, participate in the parades, loved listening to music, willing to help others and perhaps even offer an unsolicited opinion, a loyal friend and co-worker. Dad was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He devoted his life to his family; especially to his beautiful grandchildren. He was most happy to have one or two of them on his lap; and up to bragging about them whenever someone came to the house. Dad was predeceased by his loving wife of 50 years, Evelyn (Newcombe) Owen. Surviving are his children Dereck (Denise) Owen, Cole Harbour; Wade (Myrene) Owen and Denise (Roger) MacDonald both of Sheet Harbour; grandchildren, Allyson, Kyle, Danielle (Jared), Michael (Kate), Shelby; great-grandchildren, Christina, Julia, Tytan, Gage, Tenley, Summer, Peyton, Jake, Quinn, Andrew; great-great-grandchild, Weston; brothers, Keith, Jack (Joan), Delbert (Peggy); sisters-in-law Geraldine Owen, Hilda Newcombe and brother-in-law, Victor Eisan and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents, George & Grace (MacKeil) Owen; brothers Karl, George, sister Lulu Verge; sister-in-law Carole Anne Owen and brother-in-law, Doug Verge and numerous in-laws. Arrangements have been entrusted to D.S. Crowell & Son Funeral Home. Visitation will be on Monday, November 2nd from 6-9pm at St. James United Church, Sheet Harbour. Funeral service to be held Tuesday, November 3rd at 11a.m. in St. James United Church. The service will be officiated by Verna Dunlop and Archbishop Martin Currie. Masks required at all parts of the service. As a family we are sadden that due to COVID-19 regulations we have been restricted to having invited guests only to the church service. Therefore, for those who aren’t able to be present in the church due to our restrictions, the church service can be heard via external speakers from the parking lot. The burial will take place behind St. James United Church and open to the public. Special thanks to Dr. Don MacDonald, the Continuing Care and Palliative Care Nurses. Immediate family flowers only. Donations may be made in Dad’s honour to the “St James United Church Cemetery, Sheet Harbour”, PO Box 325 Sheet Harbour, NS B0J 3B0 OR e-transfer to stjamesuchurch@gmail.com