COTTON, John Clayton
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the death of our husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, John Clayton Cotton, age 72, of Little Judique. Johnny to most, Dad and Grandpa to the rest, passed bravely on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 surrounded by the love of his family. Raised as a proud Judiquer with deep Inverness roots, he was a graduate of both St. FX and Mount Saint Vincent Universities. Though he spent his professional life working tirelessly for his county as the Director of Recreation, Tourism and Adult Education, he was splendidly tickled to take a well-earned but early retirement to focus on his enduring obsession, golf. Loving nothing more than lively debate or moneyed wagers, Johnny was a fierce competitor regardless of the endeavour be it sport, religion or politics. Weaned at the Inverness Raceway, he was also a lifelong, passionate fan of harness racing.
Acutely community minded, he was always ready to lend a helping hand to his vast community of esteemed family and friends. Johnny is survived by his beloved best friend and wife of 45 years, Cathy; his doting children, Chris (Candra) Halifax; Jonathan (Cassandra) Prince Edward Island; Leigha (Sheridan) Halifax; David (Amanda) Halifax; and Kalyn (Mike) Kingston, Ont.; his cherished grandchildren, Ewan, Liam, William, Alistair, Elizabeth, Kate, Tess, Hattie, Isla, Andi, Leo and his namesake, Jack; his treasured aunt, Anna; and, his valued siblings, Frank (Diane), Ethel and Danny. He was predeceased by his parents, Richard and Tess; his parents-in-law, Colin and Betty Livingstone; his sisterin-law, Debbie; his godson and nephew, Jeffery; his nephew, John Colin; and his grand-nephew, Liam. Visitation will be from 2–4 and 7–9 p.m., on Sunday, July 18th, in Port Hood and Area Resting Place. His funeral mass will be in his home parish of St. Peter’s at 11 a.m., on Monday, July 19th, followed by internment in the St. Peter’s Parish cemetery with Father Duncan Macisaac officiating. The funeral mass will be live streamed via St. Peter’s Parish Facebook Page. Arrangements are under the direction of Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. We are overwhelmingly humbled by the outpouring of kind support and prayers. Online condolences may be shared at: www.haverstocks.com The family extends its deep, sincere thanks to the staff of Strait Richmond Hospital for their kindness to us and, more importantly, to our father. Though Johnny’s generous and compassionate nature developed a litany of worthy causes, memorial donations may be made to the Strait Richmond Hospital Palliative Care Society (www.srpalliativecaresociety.ca), Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (www.osas.ca) or a charity of your choice. Dad, may your drives be forever straight and your putts forever short. You will be profoundly missed.