With heavy hearts, we announce the unexpected passing of Wayne Nugent, 74, of Barwick, Ont., on Friday April 7, 2017 at the Emo Health Centre in Emo, Ont. with his loving family by his side.
Wayne was born on Nov. 13, 1942 to the late Joseph and Iva (nee Westover) Nugent in Emo.
In his early childhood years, Wayne grew up on the farm of his grandparents, Roy and Edna Westover, where he attended the Barwick Consolidated School.
In Wayne’s young working years, he worked for Paul Oltsher at Paul’s Corner Store in Barwick, working in the butcher shop. He then worked a short time for C.N. before joining the Canadian Armed Forces.
He dedicated the next five years serving his country, deploying to Germany, Holland, Egypt, and many other countries. In that time, he met his first wife and resided in Montreal, where they had two sons. A short time after, they divorced.
Upon returning to Barwick in 1966, Wayne met the love of his life, Kathleen Zahn of International Falls, Mn. They were united in marriage on July 15, 1967 in International Falls and resided there while Wayne worked a short time for Harold Helgeson cutting pulpwood and then worked a short time for Boise Cascade.
Their first daughter, Kim, was born a few years before returning to Canada, where they moved back to Barwick in 1971. A couple of years later, their second daughter, Karen, was born.
Wayne worked at many jobs. He was a mechanic at Kuitunen’s garage, he cut pulpwood for numerous contractors, drove truck for Nesbitt Feeds, and worked at Degagne Equipment, along with other odd jobs. Wayne also was involved in the building of the peat moss plant in Barwick.
In 1977, Wayne applied for the bridge mechanic job for the Ministry of Transportation, where he worked for almost 20 years, including snow plowing during the winter months. After government cutbacks, he was laid off, when he then worked for Tompkins Hardware during the summer of that year.
In 1997, Wayne and Kathy purchased the Barwick Village Restaurant. Over the years, they’ve enjoyed serving their valued customers and meeting new friends from near and far. You always could find Wayne sitting and enjoying a cup of coffee with friends.
The next three summers, Wayne was employed by the Municipality of Chapple, where he drove gravel truck until his full retirement.
Amongst his busy workload, Wayne also owned his own business–Nugent’s Hauling, where he hauled water to fill his customers’ cisterns and pools. He also flooded the ice rink back at Sturgeon Creek School many years ago.
Wayne always was an active man. He was Deputy Fire Chief for the Chapple Volunteer Fire Department for numerous years. He actively was involved in Chapple Recreation and Wayne was a big part of the restoration of the #2 race car in memory of Gilbert Warren.
He donated a lot of time helping to establish the Chapple Museum. It also was Wayne’s idea that created the construction of the lighthouse at the riverfront in Barwick.
He was an outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. Some of his fondest memories were hunting with his Uncle Jim years ago and, more recent, being there when his grandson, Rylan, shot his first deer. Wayne also loved to fish from the dock in Barwick, where he helped his other grandson, Chandler, reel in a huge 26-inch walleye.
Wayne loved to build things and fix things no matter what the job was, from building his grandchildren’s treehouse to planting a garden.
He enjoyed being a member of the International Early Iron Car Club and cruising with the guys. He took pride in his own classic cars and enjoyed helping others with theirs. One ride Wayne always will remember is the day he and his granddaughter, Mykenzie, cruised to Birchdale, Mn. in his ’64 Ford Galaxy for “Birchdale Days.”
Wayne always was there to lend a helping hand. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for anyone, and he could do almost anything. “Jack of all trades, master of none” was the moto he would say time and time again.
Wayne is lovingly remembered by his wife of 49 years, Kathy; daughters, Kim Nugent of International Falls, Mn. and Karen (Darren) Borger of Barwick, Ont.; sons, Dean Nugent of Alberta and Darryl Nugent of Quebec and their families; and grandchildren, Rylan, Mykenzie, and Chandler Borger of Barwick, Ont., Chris and Travis Borger of Alberta, and Justin Borger of Fort Frances, Ont., and their families.
Wayne also is survived by his sister, Deedra (Dale) Erickson of Birchdale, Mn.; brothers, Tim (Chrystal) Olson of International Falls, Mn. and Ted (Marilyn) Olson of Littlefork, Mn.; brothers-in-law, Scot Crowe of International Falls, Mn., Micheal (Terri) Zahn of International Falls, Mn., Eldon (Linda) Zahn of Kabetogama, Mn.; sister-in-law, Beverly Long of Ray, Mn.; and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.
Wayne was predeceased by his grandparents, Roy and Edna (Meyers) Westover; father, Joseph Nugent; mother and stepfather, Iva Westover Nugent Olson and Erling Olson; granddaughter, Heather Rose Nugent; brother, Lynn Nugent; sister, Brenda Crowe; brothers-in-law, Lee Hasbargen, Robert Zahn, Charles Zahn, and Stanley Long; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A service of remembrance will be held Thursday April 13, 2017 at 2 p.m. at the Northridge Funeral Home in Emo, with Pastor Peggy Mason officiating.
The pallbearers will be Cliff Westover, Brent Westover, Leland Westover, George Oltsher, Neil Flatt, and Ken Wilson.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Interment will take place in the Chapple Cemetery following the service.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com
WAYNE NUGENT
