Bellefontaine, David Willis – It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our husband, father, grandfather, and brother, David Willis Bellefontaine, age 56, on February 8, 2015. Born in Middle Musquodoboit, raised, and lived in Higginsville, he was a son of the late Gordon and Muriel (Hamilton) Bellefontaine. His love of the woods found him working for Sylvan Fraser as a young man running a power saw. His love of people was apparent when he greeted you at Parker’s Esso, a job he held and loved for 10 years. His way of making a kid feel as important as an adult, could be felt throughout the whole school while he swept the floors and unlocked the doors at MRHS for 10 years; a job that eventually wore out his hip and forced him into early retirement. Retirement for David meant that he could finally divide his time among his favorite things, the garage, the woods, and his granddaughter. Full of life, humour and generosity, he touched the lives of anyone he encountered. As the self-professed “Mayor of Higginsville”, he became the “go to” person in the community, giving advice, solving car problems, and fixing most anything thrown at him.
David is survived by his wife of 36 years, Denise (O’Grady); daughters, Vickie and Heidi; granddaughter, Rebecca; brother, Jack (Linda), Ontario; sisters, Eleanor Killen, Manitoba; Irene Burgess, Shubenacadie; Brenda O’Grady (Sean), Lantz.
Cremation has taken place. Funeral service will be Thursday at 10 a.m. in Holy Cross Catholic Church, Middle Musquodoboit, Father Michael Walsh officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Lung Association Nova Scotia or Musquodoboit Valley Health Foundation – Hospital.
David had been a member of the Middle Musquodoboit Volunteer Fire Department for over 20 years. He would have been proud, and the family are very appreciative, of the quick response and caring of the MMVFD First Responders.
Arrangements are under the direction of Arimathea Funeral Cooperative, Upper Musquodoboit.
