BELGRAVE, John Arthur

Born November 2, 1930, in Plantation Lusignan in the colony then known as British Guiana. John passed away peacefully July 3, 2020 at the age of 89. He was a son of Arthur and Pearl (Comber) Belgrave (both deceased). He was also predeceased by his beloved wife, Madeline (Mcneil) Belgrave; two of his children, Peter and Mary; and his sister, Dorothy Openshaw. He is survived by his children, Stephen (Debbie) and Michael (Patricia); grandchildren, Megan (Andrew), Logan, Genny, Katie, Patrick and Emily; greatgrandchildren, Jackson, Edison and Margot; daughter-in-law, Rosemary; his brother, Philip; and his sister, Lucy (Lou). He was educated in Georgetown, British Guiana at St. Stanislaus College, worked in Georgetown for five years at a Fire Insurance Company and emigrated to Toronto Canada in 1951. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and in 1952 was granted a short service commission as an Air Radio Officer. He was stationed in Greenwood in that capacity until 1955, when he was given the opportunity to train as an air traffic controller. Upon graduation, he was assigned to Bagotville Air Base where he served as a controller until May 1957, when his short service commission ended. In 1953 he met and married Madeline Mcneil and was blessed with three sons and one daughter. After his stint in the Air Force, he was employed for ten years by Industrial Acceptance Corporation during which time he was appointed Manager of their Edmunston Branch and then Manager of their Antigonish Branch. In 1967, he ended his career with IAC and accepted a job with Parks Canada as Curator at the Alexander Graham Bell Museum in Baddeck. After a year there, he was transferred to the Atlantic Regional Office and after three years there was appointed Superintendent of National Historic Sites in Halifax. After six years there, he returned to the Atlantic Regional Office and eventually was appointed as the Atlantic Regional Manager of Administration. He retired in January 1993. He was able to enjoy the next nine years of leisure with his beloved wife, Madeline, who passed away on July 13, 2002. His son, Peter, succumbed to the dreaded cancer disease on March 23, 2014, and his daughter, Mary, followed him on July 29, 2016. A month later John made the decision and moved to Parkland where he lived until his death. John was not very much of a talker, but he was a great listener and in his own gentle and unassuming manner touched many lives. John was very involved in church activities during his years in Halifax and in recognition of his service to the Archdiocese of Halifax-yarmouth, the church of Saint Mother Teresa of Kolkata, and the former parishes of St. Joseph and St. Stephen, he was awarded the Archdiocesan Medal of Merit in June 2013. This medal is presented to persons who have shown extraordinary dedication and a spirit of sacrifice in the local Archdiocesan Church. Visitation will take place in J.A. Snow Funeral Home, Lacewood Drive, Halifax on Thursday, July 9th, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral service will take place in St. Theresa’s Church, North Street on Saturday, July 11th, at 1 p.m. Due to COVID-19 restrictions please contact the family for details. In lieu of flowers the family have suggested donations to Souls Harbour Rescue Mission or a charity of their choice. Online condolences may be made by visiting: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com