With great sadness, we announce the passing of our Dad, William “Bill” Eugene Brenton, age 79, in the early morning of July 30th, 2025. Thank you to the family, friends, and medical staff who surrounded him with so much love in those final moments.
Dad was born in Halifax, and lived in East Stewiacke his entire life, but he was no stranger to other parts of the province, mainly the Northumberland Shoreline and the Cabot Trail.
While raising a dynamic family, Dad worked as a skilled carpenter locally, and for many years as woodsman for Scott Paper Ltd. Sadly, Dad and Mom had lost their first child at birth, yet that did not deter them from quickly adopting, fostering, and having two children of their own. They did not even hesitate when it came to also raising two more nieces in order to keep our family intact.
All of us fit like pieces of a puzzle - then and now - and Dad dared anyone to question the intricacies of our family. Dad’s love for all of his children and grandchildren was profound, and there were no limits when it came to our friends, spouses, or neighbors. His bonds were for life.
Dad learned in his early 50s that he had serious cardiac issues, yet he never let that stop him from enjoying life to the fullest. He always managed to find a Legion dance, a scenic trail, a campground near the beach, a Bluegrass festival, a racetrack, or an antique shop in some other county. Nothing got in the way of Dad visiting his favorite beaches most of the year, keeping in touch with his family and friends faithfully, and making sure to loop around the Cabot Trail every fall with his only son, Kelly.
Most recently, Dad was spending his days creating adventures with his great-grandson, Greyson who has shared some of “Gramps” favorite things: visiting the beach in Caribou, Pictou County; eating peanut butter by the spoonful; keeping up with the news and obituaries; enjoying breakfast at Robin’s; visiting historic places like the Sutherland Steam Mill and Balmoral Grist Mill.
All of us kids looked forward to these same experiences with Dad. Although he was typically quiet, as soon as the tires hit the pavement, out came all the wise tales. Each of us got to hear our own special anecdotes of days gone by, and sometimes Dad would share versions of stories with all of us knowing we would compare them later. These are the memories that we will carry forward in order to keep him in our hearts forever.
Dad is survived by his oldest sibling, Gwen (Barry) Baker, and his youngest brother, Lee (Shirley) Brenton; his children, Carolyn (Derrick) Higgins, Kelly (Margie) Brenton, Jo-Ellen (John) Strickland, Wendy Brenton, Jennifer (Jay) Plunkett; his grandchildren, Amie, DJ, Santana, Megan, Laura, Michael, Katelyn, Brianna; his great-grandchildren; his nieces and nephews; his Brenton and Carter cousins throughout Nova Scotia and New Brunswick; and so many special friends. Dad loved all of his family and friends fiercely; he always had a way with the people he encountered.
Dad was predeceased by his parents Keith and Audrey (Carter) Brenton; his infant brother, Malcolm; his oldest brother, Robert (Bob); his wife of 25 years, Catherine (Kennedy) Brenton; their infant son, Mark William; his brother-in-law, Barry Baker; and his niece, Tracy Brenton.
Dad’s final act of generosity was to donate his body to Dalhousie University for medical study. Our family will share details at a later date for a small memorial to honor Dad’s life.
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