Obituary of Waldo Morton

Waldo Morton, age 94 of Watford, Lunenburg County, died Saturday, January 10, 2026, in South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater.

Waldo was born on March 18, 1931, a son of the late Ernest and Lucretia (Connolly) Morton, formerly of Watford, and lived his entire life on the homestead his grandparents built in 1894. Waldo was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

He was predeceased by his wife of 40 years, Ruby (Drew, Ernst); siblings, Fay Suthern, Lyle Edward Morton and Shirley Wolf; his nephew, Michael Suthern; nieces, Carol Suthern and Laurie Suthern. He was also predeceased by a step-daughter, Geraldine Lockhart and step grandchildren, Joseph MacKinnon, Benjamin Atkinson and Denise Jack.

Waldo is survived by 5 nieces and nephews: Charlene Morton, Lyle Armand Morton, Gordon Suthern, Karen (Suthern) Harling and Joan Suthern; 9 grandnieces and grandnephews in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario; 7 great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews in Alberta and Ontario; first cousins, Mary (Connolly) Stewart and Marilyn Spidell.

He is mourned by his large “step” children family: Wendy (Gary) Mailman, Colpton; Wanda (Brian) Beattie, Dalhousie; Penny (David) Myler, Canaan; Randy (Della) Ernst, New Germany and Bonnie (Tommy) Meldrum, Mount Uniacke, also 14 step-grandchildren, many step-great and step great-great grand children! What a great dad and Buppie Waldo was to us all!

Waldo was an active member of Epworth United Church, New Germany serving as an Elder; also on the Board of Session, Board of Stewards, Worship Committee, Choir and special Music. He was also a member of the New Germany and Area Men’s Choir and Lunenburg County Fiddlers.

Waldo was a farmer. He lived and worked the farm under the guidance of his grandfather, George, after his father Ernest died from a tragic accident when Waldo was 13 years old. Waldo left the one room school in Watford (#59) to help out on the farm until his grandfather’s death left him in charge. Ruby moved to the farm, with her 3 younger children, to take care of Waldo’s mother, Lucretia. The children really enjoyed the sheep (especially the lambs!), cattle and workhorse. They have fond memories of life on the farm with Waldo. Waldo was similar to Dr. Dolittle and was an experienced sheep shearer. He was asked by many local people to shear their flock plus rural Exhibitions would request him to share his skills with the public.

The revenue from his small farm wasn’t enough to take care of his new family, so he started work at Michelin Tires Bridgewater C2 plant. He enjoyed his work there which allowed him to support his new family and able to have the little extras that farming didn’t allow for. Waldo retired from Michelin in 1991 after 16 ½ years of employment that he so loved.

At the age of 77, Waldo underwent triple bypass. He went on to enjoy life to the fullest, cutting wood on his land until he was 89 and doing what he wanted to do! A triple bypass couldn’t stop this man!

Waldo loved to fish and play music! He lived for fishing! In his later years, Ruby and Waldo had their Airstream on Big Mush-a-Mush Lake. There, fishing was just a stone throw away and it was a fisherman’s dream! Waldo loved both making and listening to music. He was an accomplished accordion and mouth organ player and as an adult learned to play the guitar. He even played both the guitar and mouth organ together! He was able to listen to a song and add it to the songs he could play. In his later years, Waldo and Ruby could be seen at many music jams. It was hard to find them home when it was music jam time!

In his last two years, Waldo would have music playing for many hours a day, his toes and fingers tapping to the tune and on occasion he could be seen doing a jig to some Irish music. He was still playing the mouth organ and accordion just prior to his death.

He was known to tell stories and jokes to make you laugh. He also had a wonderful hearty laugh that most people remember fondly. It seems everyone knew Waldo, and he was known to be a kind man who would give the shirt off his back if you needed it.

We were honoured to call Waldo “Dad” for 55 years! Waldo gave us a wonderful life!

The family would like to acknowledge and say THANK YOU for what the “Medical Team” did to make it possible for Waldo to come home and spend his final senior years in his own home. Thank you: Dr. Kerry Parker, Kristen, Brittany and Holly; Dr. Michael Gibson and Kaylee, Palliative Care; the VON; the New Germany Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacy team, Heather from the Home First Program, Patricia with Inspired COPD Outreach Program, Glen with Breathe n' Air Respiratory Services, and Larry. Working together made this all possible!

Lastly, A BIG HEARTFELT THANK YOU to Debbie M., Millie, Mary, Debbie S., Marjorie, Amanda and Durrelle, Waldo’s Home Care Team. Your care, kindness and love of Waldo allowed him to be where he wanted to be … home enjoying life to his fullest, right to the end.

Donations in Waldo’s Memory can be made to Epworth United Church, Epworth United Church Cemetery, Indian Brook Cemetery, VON or charity of your choice.

A Service in Celebration of Waldo’s life will be held at a later date. Details will be announced once finalized.

Lastly, when his caregiver would leave for the day or a visitor would go to the door to leave, he would always thank them and say, “Safe Home”!

… ”Safe Home Waldo”…