Person Page - 1041

BEZANSON, Edgar Elijah - 97, Aaldersville, passed away, Saturday, February 18, 2006, in Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville.

Born March 23, 1908, he was a lifelong resident of Aaldersville. At a very young age, Edgar started working in his father's cooper shop, making barrels which were than taken to Chester or Kentville by oxen to be sold. When he was 22 years of age, he married the love of his life, Wilhelmina Hiltz and they were together 67 years until she passed away in 1998. The hardworking father of seven children, had a variety of jobs including, Acadia University, Wolfville, where he worked in the greenhouses. For many years, he worked in the woods and did trucking for various people throughout the area and for a brief time he was employed with the Ross Farm Museum. After retiring, he enjoyed his gardens, yard sales, and making wooden handles and spoons.

Surviving are children, Roy (Fern), Port Lambton, Ont; Elsie (Marshall) Roast, North Alton; Lloyd (Carrol), Blue Mountain; Willie "Bill" (Linda), Aaldersville; Violet Hatt, New Glasgow; Lyda (Gary) Herget, Pepperell, Mass; Alma (Gene) Russell, Aaldersville; also surviving are sister, Hilda Ivers, Port Williams; brother, Percy, Blandford; 21 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and three great great-grandchildren.

Edgar was predeceased by his wife, Wilhelmina (Hiltz); three grandchildren; brothers, Basil and Gordon; stepbrother, Norman; sisters, Bertha Reeves, Gracie Russell, and stepsister, Lola. Edgar was a loving father, good friend and pioneer man, he will be sadly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him.

Visitation for Mr. Bezanson will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today in H.C. Lindsay Funeral Home, 5 Leverett Ave., Kentville, where funeral service will take place at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 22, Rev. Leonard Bednar officiating. Burial will be held at a later date in Elm Grove Cemetery, Steam Mill.⁵

BEZANSON, Wilhelmina Annie Thelma - Aldersville, Lunenburg Co., passed away January 24, 1998, at home after a lengthy illness.

Born in Forties, she was a daughter of the late James and Sarah Hiltz. She was employed at Canada Foods for 16 years. She was a member of St. James Anglican Church, Aldersville, where she was a Sunday school teacher and secretary treasurer for several years.

Surviving are her husband of 67 years, Edgar; daughters, Elsie (Mrs. Marshall Roast), North Alton, Kings Co; Violet Hatt, New Glasgow; Lyda Herget, Pepperell, Mass; Alma Russell, Aldersville; sons, Roy and wife Fern, Port Lambton, Ont; Lloyd and wife Carol, Forest Home; Willie (Bill) and wife Linda, Aldersville; sister, Oran (Mrs. Gordon Veinott), Dalhousie; brother, Matthew (Jack) Hiltz, Coldbrook; 21 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by sons-in-law, Ray Russell, Curtis (Buddy) Herget; grandsons, Jason Roast, Derek Hatt; sister, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Bezanson; brothers, Percy, Arthur and Wilfred Hiltz.

Visitation 2-4, 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, funeral service 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 28, both in H.C. Lindsay Memorial Chapel, Kentville, Rev. Gordon Neish officiating. Interment in Elm Grove Cemetery, Steam Mill, Kings Co.⁶

MacDONNELL, Derek Francis - 46, Halifax, died June 2, 1997, in QEII Health Sciences Centre, VG Site.

Born in Halifax, he was a son of Donald MacDonnell, Halifax, and the late Dorothy (Bezanson) MacDonnell. He was educated at St. Patrick's High School, Halifax, and Humber College, Toronto. He was last employed with the Nova Scotia government in the Supply and Services Department.

Surviving are his wife, the former Carolyn Goodfellow, London, England; brother, Donald J., Owen Sound, Ont; two nephews and a niece.

Cremation has taken place. Family will receive visitors 2-4, 7-9 p.m. Thursday in Snow's Funeral Home, 2666 Windsor St., Halifax. Memorial service 9 a.m. Friday, in St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church, Halifax, Rev. Donald Boudreau officiating. Burial in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.¹

Percy Oswald Bezanson - 98, of Blandford, Lunenburg County, formerly of Aaldersville, Lunenburg County, passed away Saturday, September 27, 2008 in the South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater.

Born in Aaldersville, he was a son of the late Elijah and Charlotte ”Lottie” (Leopold) Bezanson. Percy owned and operated his own trucking business in Aaldersville for years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Percy was a member of St. James Anglican Church, Aaldersville and St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Blandford.

He is survived by his wife, Nora (Jennings-Fleet); a daughter, Ruby (Vernon) Keddy, North Alton; two sons, Stanley, Forest Home and Garnet (Patsy), Kentville; seven grandchildren, Paul (Marisa) Bezanson, Valerie (Bill) Esford, Judy Mahe, Bruce (Carrie) Bezanson, Kevin (Loretta) Bezanson, Bonnie Keddy and Eric Keddy; 12 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; a sister, Hilda Bezanson Ivers, Port Williams; a step-daughter, Lorna MacLeod, Blandford; a step-son, Percy (Noreen) Fleet, Dartmouth; five step- grandchildren, Wanda Arsenault, Sheila MacLeod, Ronald MacLeod, Michael Fleet and Krista Fleet; five step great grandchildren and one step great great grandchild; a sister-in-law, Ruby Cotter, Berwick.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Flora (Costley); a son Russell; a daughter-in-law, Margaret Rose; a great grandchild; a great great grandchild; two sisters, Bertha Reeves and Gracie Russell; a half-sister, Viola Reeves; three brothers, Edgar, Gordon and Basil; a half-brother, Norman. There will be no visitation, by family request. The funeral service, followed by a reception, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 1, 2008 in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, Reverend Laura McCue officiating. Burial will take place in the St. James Anglican Church Cemetery, Aaldersville.⁶

Port Williams News
by Sylvia Jacquard

The Port’s oldest resident, Hilda Bezanson-Ivers, turned 95 Mon., Oct. 29, 2007!

She had shared her 95th birthday party earlier this summer, on Aug. 19, with the 50th wedding anniversary celebration of her daughter Vivian and son-in-law Gilbert Schofield of Florida/Vermont.

On that sunny August afternoon, approximately 200 family, friends and neighbours attended a garden party hosted by her son Ken Bezanson at the Bezanson Farmstead and held in honour of these three special people.

The refreshments for this double celebration were presented in old-world charm and served elegantly by CentreStage actors and directors. The backdrop for the festivities was the musical group of Carl Bezanson (guitar), Harley Corkum (fiddle) and Bill Tupper (bass), with a guest solo by Sara MacLeod (violin) and Kim Snow (keyboard).

While friends renewed acquaintances and shared congratulations outside, Hilda was feted inside the homestead by family and friends. She received hundreds of birthday cards, good wishes and many hugs and kisses. Kristie Keech entertained the gathering with her piano stylings.

At 7 p.m., many of the guests gathered at the Baptist Church (where Vivian and Gilbert were married) to enjoy musical excerpts and visuals from the PowerPoint presentation: “Port Williams -- Inland Port of the Valley” and “Port Williams Overture” (music by Lucas Porter, visuals by Ken Bezanson).

This was a nostalgic moment for many since it transported them back to the Port Williams of their childhood, during the days when the ships came in. There are many pictures to commemorate this milestone event and numerous people to thank for its success.

On Sun., Oct. 28, in the Baptist Church, Hilda was honoured with a special bulletin, photo insert and flowers. On Mon., Oct. 29, a private communion at the homestead was performed by Reverends Dave Ogilvie and Hedley Hopkins to start her special day.

We applaud you, Hilda, for your wonderful longevity and wish you continued good health and happiness in the coming years.¹⁰

PORT WILLIAMS' MOST SENIOR RESIDENT PASSES IN HER 100th YEAR

Hilda Blanche Bezanson-Ivers, 99

With hearts full of thankfulness for our long living, hardworking, kind, caring and loving mother, we, her family, sadly announce her peaceful passing on Monday, January 9, 2012 in the Valley Regional Hospital. She had been lovingly tended at home by her son, Kenneth Bezanson, and her daughter, Betty Weir.

Hilda was born, October 29, 1912, in Aaldersville, Lunenburg County, to the late Elijah (84) and Lottie (Leopold) Bezanson (94). She moved to Port Williams at age seventeen where she met and married her cousin, Charles Avery Bezanson. Together they raised six children on the family farm. Mother worked hard on the farm, at the local "plant" and in various households within the community, and instilled in us a strong work ethic and religious dedication. Being widowed at the young age of forty-nine years, for the next 29 years she continued to support and encourage her children's diverse and individual journeys through life. During this time, she also faithfully attended to the needs of her sisters-in-law in their later years.

At the age of seventy-eight, Mother wed a fine American gentleman, Barry Ivers, in the Port Williams United Baptist Church. With our blessings, this loving couple enjoyed ten years of great happiness. They travelled extensively throughout the United States while Barry competed in "sprinting races" and was later inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame. They spent the winter months at the home of daughter, Vivian, and son-in-law, Gilbert Schofield, in Naples, Florida, and at the Ivers home in Brewer, Maine, while making trips back and forth to Nova Scotia.

For many years, Mother was active in the Port Williams community: The Loyal Workers, the Seniors’ Group, and was the oldest member of the Port Williams United Baptist Church. At the time of her passing, she was the longest resident of Port Williams (82 years), and was proud to be able to live at home.

Mother was a survivor and conquered breast cancer, a heart condition, abdominal surgery and, at the age of eighty-nine, a broken hip. Her determination and her dedication to family, church and community have been an inspiration to all of us, and her loss will be felt by many.

Mother will be sadly missed by her six children: Reta Pick, Coldbrook; Carl (Juanita) Bezanson, Port Williams; Betty Weir, New Minas; Vivian (Gilbert) Schofield, Ocala, Florida; Charles (Marilyn) Bezanson, Lockhartville; and, especially, her son, Kenneth Bezanson, Port Williams. Also missing her are: her special grandson, Greg (Beverly) Pick; her special granddaughter, Shelley (Dean) Corkum; and her childhood friend, Evelyn Keddy (102) of Aaldersville. She was proud of her twelve grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

As well as being predeceased by her first husband, Charles Avery Bezanson (d. 1961) and her second husband, Barry Ivers (d. 1999), Mother was also predeceased by her brothers, Edgar (97), Percy (98), Basil (80) and Gordon (42) Bezanson; and sisters, Grace Russell (91) and Bertha Reeves (84). She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Visitation for Mother will take place on Friday, January 13, from 7-9 pm at the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, and on Saturday, January 14, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Bezanson Farmstead, Main Street, Port Williams.

A service of "Thankfulness & Farewell" will be held in Port Williams United Baptist Church, on Saturday, January 14, at 2:00 pm, followed by a reception at the Bezanson Farmstead. Reverend David Ogilvie and Reverend Elizabeth Johnson, in their own dignified and compassionate manner, will be officiating. Interment will take place in Jaw Bone Corner Cemetery, Canard.

"And, till our paths in future cross, May blessings kindly greet you.
Until that time, I must, alas,
Only in mem'ry meet you."
- A. MacGillivray.¹¹

BEZANSON, Basil Edwin - 80, New Minas, passed away peacefully Friday, September 23, 2005, in Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville.

Born in Aaldersville, he was the son of the late Elijah and Charlotte (Leopold) Bezanson. Basil was always known as a kind hearted, quiet soft spoken, friendly, and very generous man. He was thought of very highly as a father and grandfather. Basil would give you a cute little grin and always had a wonderful sense of humour. He worked for Avon Foods Ltd. Basil enjoyed farming and taking his oxen to different exhibitions throughout the province, up until this past summer when he donated them to the Ross Farm Museum, New Ross.

Surviving are son, Robert (Roberta), Alberta; daughters, Eleanor (David) Russell, North Alton; Barbara Ann Nickerson, Windsor; Peggy (Harry) Chase, Prospect Road; Janet (Dereck) Card, Kentville; sister, Hilda Ivers, Port Williams; brothers, Edgar, Aaldersville; Percy, Blandford; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased and then rejoined his wife of 59 years, Marie (Meister); sisters, Gracie (Mrs. Stanley Russell) and Bertha (Mrs. Ira Reeves); brother, Gordon; half-brother, Norman; half-sister, Viola, and stepfather, Willie Turbitt; son-in-law, Jimmy Nickerson.

Visitation will be held 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today with funeral service at 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 27, both in H.C. Lindsay Funeral Home, 5 Leverett Ave., Kentville (902-678-2151), Rev. Leonard Bednar officiating. Burial in Anglican Christ Church Cemetery, New Ross.³

BEZANSON, Marie Eveline - 80, New Minas, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2005, in Evergreen Home for Special Care, Kentville.

Born in New Ross, she was a daughter of the late Gordon and Grace (Hiltz) Meister. She worked for several years with Avon Foods Ltd. and cleaning and cooking in various locations of the valley. She was a dedicated, loving mother and wife who will always be remembered for her kind heart and loving smile.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Basil; son, Robert (Roberta), New Minas; daughters, Eleanor (David) Russell, North Alton; Barbara Ann (Jimmy) Nickerson, Windsor; Peggy (Harry) Chase, Prospect Road; Janet (Dereck) Card, Kentville; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sisters, Violet "Bud" Veinott and Alice Acker, both of New Ross.

She was predeceased by brother, Ivan, and a sister in infancy.

Visitation will be held today from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and the funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, June 11, both in H.C. Lindsay Funeral Home, 5 Leverett Ave., Kentville. Burial in Christ Anglican Church Cemetery, New Ross.²

GEORGE E. BEZANSON

NEW BOSTON, N.H. — George E. Bezanson, 70, of Francestown Turnpike, died Wednesday in Moore General Hospital, Goffstown.

He was born in Wayland. Mass., a son of the late George F. and Alice H. (Simmons) Bezanson, and lived in Rindge until moving here a year ago.

Mr. Bezanson was a retired farmer, He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church of Wayland.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Bernice H. (Salisbury) Bezanson; two sons, George E. Bezanson Jr. of Stow. Mass., and Horace A. Bezanson of Bellows Falls., Vt; four daughters, Mrs. Gladys B. Richards of Fitchburg, Mass., Mrs. Clara A. Hunter of Stow, Mrs. Helen L. Hoyt of Rindge, and Mrs. Rose M. Norcross of Winchendon, Mass; a brother, Horace Bezanson of Wellesley, Mass; a sister, Mrs. Alberta Cote of Lyndeboro; 21 grandchildren.

Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be at a later date.

There are no calling hours.

The Snow Funeral Home of Winchendon is in charge of arrangements.⁹