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