Nielsen, Roy Gunnar - Roy Gunnar Nielsen, passed into the loving arms of his Savior, on
June 10, 2025, at home with his loving family around him at the age of 89.
Born in Truro to Gunnar & Ane Katrine (Nielsen) Nielsen of Old Barns, who emigrated from Denmark to Canada in 1930.
After attending Brookfield Rural High School, while still a teenager, Roy operated a neighboring farm for a year, while the owners worked in another province. He was successful in running a profitable operation but due to arthritis flare up and on doctors’ advice that he should find something less physically demanding to help alleviate symptoms, he moved on. His later work ventures included sales for Fuller Brush, achieving the highest sales east of Montreal; and later working at the Royal Bank in Shubenacadie. However, his heart was always for in farming, and although his arthritis symptoms had not gone away, so Roy decided that it would be better to do something he was passionate about, even if it was not the most comfortable, a trait he carried with him throughout his life. While traveling to work, he noticed the Kennedy Dairy Farm in Fort Ellis was for sale. In the spring of 1957, he purchased the farm, which became his home and passion for over 67 years. In the fall of 1957, he married his sweetheart, Leona Faye Bradley of Princeport and thus began their farming life together on Roguniel Farm.
Roy had a desire to not only succeed himself in farming, but to see the entire agricultural community grow and be successful as well. This led him to dedicate much of his time and efforts to various agricultural causes. During the first thirty years of his farming career, he served on numerous boards and committees, Secretary-Treasurer of the United Milk Producers (21 1/2 years), Board Member of Dairy Bureau of Canada, President Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, President of Nova Scotia Milk Producers Association.
In the early 1980s, Roy’s heart turned towards another passion as he gave his life to Jesus Christ, his personal Lord and Savior and began to dedicate much of his time and energy into faithfully serving God for the rest of his life. Roy was instrumental in the building of Country Calvary Baptist Church and manse in Milford, and served as an elder in the church for many years. He had a heart for people and to see them come to know the Lord, which meant he dedicated much to missionary works, both near and across the world.
As retirement from dairy farming approached, Roy and Leona were excited to serve with the Fellowship of Christian Farmers of Canada, sharing the gospel at exhibitions and fairs in Nova Scotia from 2010 to 2022 through the “walking stick ministry”. Upon his retirement from FCFC, he was honoured to be awarded their first Honorary Board Member. Until his health would no longer allow, he continued to show his love for people through various ways, including being involved with a Friday evening street ministry in Halifax, where he shared the good news of God’s redeeming love. and locally he enjoyed volunteering at the Shumilacke Food Bank and making deliveries. Roy was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and he will always be remembered for his tender heart, kindness, generosity, love, and respect for all people and living things..
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Leona (Bradley) Nielsen; son, Rod Nielsen (Lori), Brookfield and their daughters, Erica Nielsen (Derek Jones), Felix and Ingrid, Truro; Jessica Ash (Daniel), Anna and Carter, Truro Heights; son, Stephen Nielsen (Paulette) and their children, Andrew Nielsen (Cassia), Adiah, Lydia and Lilla; daughter, Kate McCulloch (Stephen) and their children, Ethan, Violet, Asher and Levi; daughter, Amy Newhook (Ray) and their daughters, Sophie and Josie, all of Fort Ellis; son, Gregor Nielsen (Elaine), Fort Ellis and their daughters, Emily Lester (Hudson), Iqaluit, Nunavut; Megan Hamm (Jordan), Elizabeth, Jonathan and Rachel, New Haven, Missouri; sister, Greta Baird, Lower Truro; sisters-in-law, Elaine Burr, Florida; Beverly Bradley, Shortt’s Lake; and brother-in-law, Bert Clish, Pictou.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by daughter, Nancy Nielsen in infancy; grandson, Jeremy Nielsen in infancy; brother, Hans Nielsen, Old Barns; sister, Karen Clish, Pictou; brothers-in-law, Ted Baird, Lower Truro; Gordon Burr, Florida; and Russell Bradley, Shortt’s Lake.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the VON nurses and the Palliative Care team, Dr. Cortney Smith, Dawn Ross for their exceptional and attentive care. Thanks are also extended to the doctors of CEHHC D3 Wing; Dr. Katelyn Barnes; and the staff at the Stewiacke Guardian Drug Store.
A heartfelt thanks also goes out to granddaughter, Emily for coming home from Iqaluit to provide care and company to Grampie. Thanks to all who visited, called, emailed, sent cards, brought food, flowers, and other meaningful items. Roy’s final days were truly lived out in thanksgiving and love. The Lord is good!
Funeral arrangements by Arimathea Funeral Cooperative. Funeral to take place in Country Calvary Baptist Church, 1722 Hwy 2, Milford, NS B0N 1Y0 on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 2 p.m. Reception at CCBC following the service. Family-only burial following the reception in Pine Grove Cemetery, Stewiacke East.
Memorial donations may be made to CCBC by mail to address listed above or by e-transfer to ccbcoffering@gmail.com (please include full name & address) or to Fellowship of Christian Farmers of Canada at fcfccanada.org.
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