It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Bernard C. DeCoste of Mattie Settlement on November 3, 2023, in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish, at the age of 81 with his family by his side.

Born in Mattie Settlement, he was a son of the late Benedict and Irene DeCoste.

Bernard married the love of his life, Rose Marie Bennett, in 1962, and they moved to Toronto where he operated asphalt plants thru the early sixties.  He returned home to join his father at the sawmill, and he owned and operated the DeCoste water powered lumber mill until 2004, when he retired.  He was very proud of the award he received from the government for preserving the environment.

Bernard was a person of strong faith, which he lived daily.  He was a lifetime member of St. Peter’s Parish in Tracadie, where was a senior altar server and member of the Holy Name Society.  He loved hunting and camping, and he had a kind word for everyone.

He will be sadly missed by all.

He is survived by his wife, Rose Marie (Bennett); twin daughters, Janice (Bernie) MacDonald, Port Hawkesbury; and Denise (Wally) Diggins, South River; sons, Jody (Tara), Edmonton; and Fr. Wade, Louisiana; 17 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; brothers, Patrick, Antigonish; Leonard, Toronto; John (Maureen), Truro; Billy (Sharon), Mattie Settlement, Clarence (Sandy), Sheet Harbour; sisters, Elizabeth, Antigonish; Debbie (Johnny) Bowie, Antigonish; brothers-in-law, Gary Bennett and Robert Bennett.

Predeceased by sisters, Edith DeCoste, Leona Bennett, and Maureen Bennett; brother-in-law, Vincent DeCoste, and sisters-in-law, Rita and Candy.

Visitation will be held Thursday from 2 to 7pm in C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish.  Funeral Mass will be held Friday at 11:00am in St. Peter’s Church, Tracadie, with Fr. John Barry presiding.  Burial in the parish cemetery.

In Memoriam, donations to St. Peter’s Parish or a charity of your choice appreciated.