Obituary of Foard Arnold Robar

Foard Arnold Robar Age 71, Meisners’ Section, Lunenburg Co., passed away peacefully at home with his loving family by his side on Friday, February 10, 2017. He was born in Meisners’ Section, a son of the late Foard Sr. and Nellie (Deal) Robar, lived most of his life there in the midst of his extended family. After his father died when he was 5, he grew into the challenge of becoming the neighbourhood carpenter, handyman, plumber, electrician, and farmhand, able to fix almost anything and never throwing anything away. As soon as he was old enough he began part-time work on farms and in the woods, and at 18 began his life as a mechanic first at West End Esso and then in 1981 opened Family Car Care in partnership with his nephew, Garth Blades. He treasured the good relationships he made with co-workers and many customers. On July 21, 1982, he and Catherine met the Digby ferry and brought home their ’instant’ family, Mark, Sarah, and John. They often joked about a fine line between brave and foolish, but in so many ways it has been affirmed that we have been guided together, and our lives enriched. Foard retired at 57 and was blessed with time to enjoy several pairs of oxen, a whole new set of ox teamster friendships, hundreds of sleigh rides, and his new hobby of crafting braided whiplashes, leather bell straps and ox pads. St John’s Church played an integral part of his life as he served in the choir, as warden, greeter par excellence, Sunday School teacher, dinner theatre sound man and actor, Canada Day egg fryer and general handyman. He enjoyed our Christmas parties, poolside neighbourhood breakfasts and church services, kitchen parties with the ukulele group, and many gatherings of the Meisners’ Section Board of Trade. Foard lived and died well aware of God’s hand in his life, and was a hardworking man who lived his life with energy enthusiasm and good humour to the end. Throughout his 6 year journey with cancer he appreciated the skill, compassion and humour of the many people who participated in his treatment and care, especially, Dr Heather Robertson, Dr Kerry Jo Parker, the staff and volunteers at the Oncology Unit at SSRH. He and our family are thankful for the many support services which enabled him to stay at home, especially the VON, and enjoyed his special relationship with Noleen Reilly from Palliative Care. Surviving are his wife of 40 years, Catherine (Veinotte); daughter, Sarah , Halifax; sons, Mark (Mandi), Greenwood; John, Fort Saskatchewan, AB.; grandchildren, Jay, Timothy, Kade, Gavin, Haley, Kelsey, Makena, Korden; his sister’s children, Garth(Linda), Cathy(Maynard), Beth(Michael); Catherine’s brothers, Eugene(Lana); Bruce(Heather) and their families. He was predeceased by his parents; step-father, Everette; sister, Carolyn “Betty”. Visitation will be 3-6 p.m. Tuesday in Sweeny’s Funeral Home, 4895 route 10, New Germany. Service to celebrate Foard’s life will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 15 in St. John in the Wilderness Anglican Church, New Germany. Rev. Mellanie Cohoon officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John in the Wilderness Anglican Church or Palliative Care Services of the South Shore. On-line condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com or by messaging condolences@sweenysfuneralhome.com.