Vernon Bruce Zwicker
1925 - 2018
Vernon Bruce Zwicker
Visitation Information
Visitation
Thursday January 25, 2018
Visitation Time
10 am - 12 p.m.
Visitation Location
Seal Harbour United Baptist Church
Service Information
Service Date
Thursday January 25, 2018
Service Time
12 p.m.
Service Location
Seal Harbour United Baptist Church
Burial Information
Burial Date
January 25, 2018
Burial Time
Following the service
Burial Location
Hillside Cemetery, Seal Harbour
Requested Charity
Seal Harbour Cemetery Association
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Vernon Bruce Zwicker Age 92 of Drumhead, Guysborough County, passed away Sunday, January 21, 2018 in Strait Richmond Hospital, Evanston.  He was born on Joe Anthony Lane, Charleston, NS, on July 11, 1925 to the late William Bernard and Gladys Mary (Llewellyn) Zwicker. He joined the Militia at 16 in Liverpool and served with the West Nova Scotia Regiment and the Princess Louise Fusiliers, then on active training in Halifax, Yarmouth, Aldershot and Kingston, ON. He went overseas to England and Scotland on the RMS Andes, then onto Italy where he served as a combat soldier in the West Nova’s & the 49th Loyal Edmonton Regiment. Vernon saw action from Naples, through Ortona to Bagnacavallo, where he contracted malaria, then sailed from Leghorn, Italy to Marseilles, France. He fought on the front lines through France, Belgium, Germany, continuing to Nijmegen, Holland where he served in its Liberation. On VE Day, May 8, 1945, he paraded across Amsterdam Bridge and Dam Square. He volunteered for service in the Pacific, Burma and returned to Debert for training, joining the 1st Canadian-Pacific Special Service Force, 3rd Battalion, West Nova Scotia Regiment.  He was drafted to serve with the 6th American Infantry Division, of Breckinridge, Kentucky, when the atomic bomb was dropped, ending the war. He was posted to Citadel Hill, Halifax and was discharged on October 10, 1946. After release, he attended Vocational School for a Machinist trade. He worked for Singer Sewing Machine Co., General Seafoods and Canada Post in Halifax.  Vernon then met his wife of 46 years, Ardath Crooks and took a job with the Coast Guard as a lighthouse keeper. Together they moved to Country Island, and both worked there for 11 years, then to Eddy Point Lighthouse for another 17 years, then back to Country Island to retire in 1981 after 33 years of service. During retirement, he split his time between Drumhead and Charleston. Vernon was an avid reader and loved writing in a journal. He enjoyed photography, history and genealogy. He competed in many Horseshoe Pitching tournaments. He loved doing things outdoors: hiking, swimming, cycling, bird watching, rock & mineral collecting, orienteering, survival skills, knot tying, identifying animal tracks, beachcombing, gardening and fishing. He formed the 1st Sand Point Boy Scouts and shared his outdoor skills with youth. He loved making music, either on harmonica or concertina. He was a proud member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 117, Tor Bay for 55 years, where he served on executive committees. He was a member of the Strait Area Home & School Association, and the Country Harbour Sunset Seniors Club. He is survived by son,  Paul Leon Zwicker (Luella), Fort McMurray AB; daughters, Julia Eileen Trachsel, Victoria BC; and Cheryl Ruth Silver (Philip MacDonald),Drumhead; William (Bill) Edgar Silver, father of grandchildren,  Wm. Aaron (Sonya) Silver, Williamswood, Darrel Silver (Melanie Turcotte), Dartmouth, and Melanie Silver (Steve Temchuk) Dartmouth; Carolyn Fanning-McCartney, mother of grandchildren, Conrad Zwicker (Tracy) and Tyson Zwicker (Marilyn);  Lesley Scott, mother of grandchildren, Brynne and Ewanne (Blaine); great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Alex, Phoebe, Merrina, Nathan, Aireana; numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his wife Ardath Maxine Crooks; sister, Ruth, half-sister, Ida (Mark) Anthony; brother, Arthur in infancy; son-in-law, Derek Trachsel. Visitation will be held Thursday from 10a.m.-12p.m. in Seal Harbour United Baptist Church from where funeral and Legion service will follow at 12 p.m. with Lewis MacIntosh officiating. Interment to follow in Hillside Cemetery, Seal Harbour. Family flowers only please. Memorial donations may be made to Seal Harbour Cemetery Association.  Funeral arrangements are under the dignified and compassionate care of G.W. Giffin Funeral Home, 17545 Highway 316, Country Harbour. On-line condolences may be made at www.gwgiffin.com

Vernon Bruce Zwicker