Landry, John Simon, age 90, a ninety year resident of Pomquet, Antigonish County, passed away Tuesday, November 14, 2023, in St Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish.
John hailed from a long line of French Acadians. He was the son of Simon and Jane (Boudreau) Landry, lifelong residents of Pomquet. While John was a bit shy and quiet at times, he wasn’t shy about seeking ‘the hand in marriage’ of Lillian Morell, the girl who lived a few houses down the road. The tall, young John and the lovely, oldest daughter of Loretta and Willie Morell were united in marriage by Reverend Peter Baccardax in October 1958. On October 21, 2023, Johnny (as he was known in family and friend circles) and Lillian celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in the presence of several generations of family members. The chatter, laughter, and recollections of yesteryear fun were reminiscent of earlier wedding anniversary celebrations and family gatherings attended by the Morell/Landry family clan and their extended families.
Johnny a Simon (the Acadian way of identifying a person’s birth family) was a family provider who worked hard, who worked long, who took pride in his work, and who understood the value of his labour to support his family. He worked the family farm for years, cultivating the land with respect for Mother Earth, and applying what he knew about the moon’s phases and tides to guide significant farming decisions. The wisdom of his ancestors and his growing skill and expertise paid off: the winter supply of vegetables, preserves, meat and wood was impressive. Johnny had another natural talent that he developed and perfected while working with A.R.Venedam Construction and the Whidden family business; he was a finishing carpenter whose skill of precision was highly regarded. Although farming and carpentry occupied much of Johnny’s time, he and Lillian still found time for visiting with family, attending the Pomquet pig‘n whistle dances, clam-digging on Sunday afternoons with their young family, and always attending mass. For many years Johnny had an unwavering devotion to the Blessed Mother. At 4:00 am on May 1st he would go to a particular brook in Pomquet, and collect May water, water that was blessed by the Holy Mother as she glided over the brook water during the night. We knew the sacredness of May water.
Johnny, or
Pere, as he has been known in the family since the birth of his first
grandchildren four decades ago, is survived by his wife Lillian
(Morell); four children - Johnny Jr, Pomquet; Pierre (Michelle),
Alberta; Brian (Linda), Amherst, and Anne Marie (Mitch), Pomquet;
seven grandchildren - twins Pierre and Jennifer Landry, Alberta; twins
Jeremy Landry, Antigonish and Laura Lee Landry-Rudolph, Pomquet; Evan
and Lucas Theriault, Pomquet; and Megan Grant, North Grant; and eight
great grandchildren - Nolan and Carter Landry, Alberta; Rylee and
Hannah Dolgin, Alberta; Kaden and Casey Rudolph, Pomquet; Peyton and
Oaklyn Grant, North Grant; Jack Landry, Antigonish.
John is predeceased by his parents, Simon and Jane; his brothers, sisters and their spouses: Joseph (Margaret), Mary (Jean-Baptiste), Annie Jane (Alfred), Natalie (Ambrose), Charlie, Leo (Emily).
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm on Friday, November, 17th at the C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 18th, at Ste. Croix Church, Pomquet with the Reverend Dennis Lamey officiating.
Family flowers only. Memorial donations may be made to Ste. Croix Parish.
Online condolences may be sent to www.clcurry.com.