Obituary of Owen James Rafuse

Well-known Hants County ox teamster, Owen James Rafuse, age 70 of Falmouth, passed away Thursday, August 7, 2014 at Hants Community Hospital, Windsor.Owen had several passions and hobbies. He could be found many times a day sitting and watching his cattle out in the field, which he was so proud of, as he awaited the arrival of all this year's calves to be born. Owen also loved hunting at the camp, fishing anywhere he could throw a line in and could be found any night of the week having coffee at Tim Hortons with Shirley and his friends.Owen is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Shirley (Smith), who together they raised three children, Blaine (Elaine), Lower Vaughan; Rose (Stretch McDonald), Sweets Corner and Candace (Adam) Lyon, Falmouth. Grandfather of five to, Mitchell, Andrew (Sarah), Amy (Taylor), Josh and Devin. Proud great grandfather to Zackery. Owen is also survived by his mother, Olive, Windsor; brothers, Lloyd, Upper Vaughan; Garry (Heather), Upper Vaughan; Frank (Hilda), Cheverie; Michael (Pamela), Upper Vaughan; sisters, Betty Chandler, Upper Vaughan; Barbara (John) Leckie, Arnprior, Ontario; Pearl (Dennis) Mosher, Upper Vaughan; sister-in-laws, Evelyn Rafuse, Upper Vaughan; Kitty Hunter, St. Croix and Almeta Mitchell, Union Corner; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.Owen was predeceased by his father, Clark; brothers, Clark "Junior" and Paul; sister, Phyllis "Bib"; brother-in-law, Basil Chandler and sister-in-law, Sandy Rafuse.The family would like to send special thanks to all the nurses at Hants Community Hospital Emergency Department and Unit 200 for their kind and compassionate care. Also a special thank you to Owen’s special niece Melinda, who is helping our family through this time.Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., PO Box 981, Windsor, NS B0N 2T0 (902-798-8317), where visitation will be held Sunday, August 10 from 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will  be held 2 p.m. Monday, August 11 in DeMont Family Funeral Home Chapel, Rev. Garnet Parker officiating. Private family burial will be held in Centre Falmouth Cemetery, Falmouth. A reception will follow in the funeral home’s Elmcroft Reception Centre. Donations in memory of Owen may be made to Canadian Cancer Society, 5826 South St., Halifax, NS B3H 1S6 or Palliative Care Unit at Hants Community Hospital, 89 Payzant Dr., Windsor, NS B0N 2T0. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca