Obituary of Thomas William Dearing

Dearing, Thomas William – age 81 of West LaHave. It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Thomas William Dearing on August 15^th, 2023, at the South Shore Regional Hospital.  Tom was born in the London borough of Lewisham on July 1, 1942, with a soccer ball, oops, sorry dad, I mean with a football at his feet.  He spent his younger years in Brockley playing in the bomb sites, kicking the ball around on the pitch or down the Den watching his beloved Millwall FC.   After graduating from Addey & Stanhope School, he joined her Royal Majesties Naval Reserves and started work at the Royal Post Office installing telephones. 

One of the biggest moments of his life came in 1966 when the English Men’s side won the World Cup, oh yeah, that also happened to be the year he married the love of his life, Patricia.  After a few years Tom and Pat decided to sail across the ocean and settle in Quebec, Canada.  It was here the Tom started his career with Teleglobe Canada.  Tom also brought with him his love of animals and the Boy Scouts.  He started a scout troop in 1974 and it continued for many years.  He also volunteered at the Ecomuseum, helping to look after the many animals there.

 In 1994, Tom transferred to the Satellite Station in Mill Village, Nova Scotia where he worked for a few years before retiring.  Once retired, Tom was quick to give his time to volunteer to many causes, such as reading to kids at the Pentz Elementary Library, starting another Scout Troop, helping the Nova Scotia Horse Protection Agency, and helping at the Scout Camp on Lake Mush-A-Mush.  A long-standing member of the Bridgewater Gardening club, he also held the title of treasurer.  In 2011, another major moment for Tom occurred with the birth of his first grandchild, it was from this point that Tom would always be lovingly known as “Pickle”.  Pickle enjoyed his remaining years travelling with Pat, putting around in his garden and spending time with his kids and grandkids. 

Thomas is predeceased by his parents (Thomas & Ellen) and his younger brother and sister-in-law (Len and Sandra Dearing).  He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Patricia; daughter, Christine Robar (Shaun); son, Thomas Daniel (Tracy); grandkids, Jack, and Sophie Dearing; his older sister, Lillian Hutchings (James); nephews, Ian Dearing, and Ben Dearing (Vanessa, Michael & Thomas).

Tom’s family would like to give a huge shout out to the doctors, nurses, and other staff members at the South Shore Regional Hospital Emergency Department for their wonderful care and attention during this difficult time.  Following Tom’s wishes, there will be no funeral service, a small family service will be held at a later date.   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Kidney Foundation, SHAID animal shelter or your local animal shelter. Arrangements entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home, 35 York Street, where online condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.