Obituary of Cecil Alexander Landry

LANDRY, Cecil Alexander -57, Louisdale

It is with a broken heart that I announce the passing of my beautiful husband, father to our children, brother and son, Cecil Alexander Landry, at the far too early age of 57, at the Strait Richmond Hospital on December 16^{th, 2018}

Cecil loved life and loved living his best life. He worked hard at his job of being an attentive and loving husband to me, his wife; He worked hard at his job of being a kind, soft hearted and caring father to his children; he worked hard at his lifelong job at Port Hawkesbury Paper, never hesitating to offer a helping hand; and, he worked hard at his job of being a thoughtful son, caring brother and good friend.

Cecil’s sense of humour was notorious. He had such quick wit, especially when expressing what was on his mind. His larger than life personality allowed him to get away with far more than the average person. Aside from humor, his greatest legacy will be the compassion and empathy that he instilled in his children, nieces and nephews. His generous and giving spirit was inherited from both his mother and his father. He showed us all what loving and caring for each other should really look like.

We had so much fun for the past 28 years, enjoying many adventures and good times. We boated, we fished, we beached, we traveled, we camped, we atv’d, we motorcycled and we laughed. We had so many awesomely soul cleansing laughs! We enjoyed as many campfires as we could, especially in Lake Ainslie, and spent much quality time with our family and friends. As much as Cecil loved spending time with others, he always loved to be alone in the woods, or on the shore with a fishing rod, appreciating the peace in silence. It was during these times that he sorted things out in his mind and always returned home feeling great about his day. During the past number of years, he rekindled childhood friendships, forged new ones and found great joy in hunting with his team. He had expressed many times how wonderful it was to hunt and have fun times with the boys again. 

Cecil fought a long and hard battle, with great strength and determination of body and spirit. Our family and friends have been a constant source of comfort for all of us. For all of you, there are no words. Though his burden was great, Cecil complained very little. He would always tell me that there are those who have it worse than him. And I know he was right.

From the very beginning, we experienced the concern and care of Dr. Debbie Marchand, our good friend and good doctor; we extend our heart-felt thanks to Dr. Robert Sers, who treated Cecil and our family with an extraordinarily gifted bedside manner; to Dr. Ron MacCormick, who worked tirelessly to tend to Cecil’s spirit and treated the whole person and not just the body; to Heather Brander, who offered her expertise and love to us when we struggled with understanding and needed her help; to Donna Sutherland, who perpetuated hope with her compassionate nursing care; to Janet Chisholm, for remaining faithful to lending her sense of humour and nursing expertise, long after her retirement; and to Jeannie Kennedy, one of our beloved nurses who could inexplicably make you feel good just by being around her; she was the best we could have ever hoped to be by our side as Cecil battled… These beautiful people are our family on the 4^th floor of St. Martha’s Hospital. They have made a difference for us in so many ways and for that we are forever grateful. Cecil breathed his last at the Strait Richmond Hospital, when he received the most compassionate palliative care from the nurses and also the warm and sensitive care of Nancy Cameron, Dr. Philip Cooper and, again, Dr. Debbie Marchand. Finally, our hearts are bursting with love for our family and friends. They have been our steadfast supporters and most loyal companions for the past 5 + years, and for that we will never forget and will forever be grateful.

Cecil is survived by me, his loving wife of 24 years minus one day, Paula (Samson); his beautiful daughters, Meaghan (special friend Jarrett) and Emily (special friend Austin), both of Louisdale; doting son Trevor Landry (Port Hawkesbury); devoted father, Cecil Sr., Louisdale; genuinely kind brother Blair (Jean), Evanston; spirited and lively brother Patrick (Cheryl), Louisdale; father and mother in law David and Elaine Samson, Louisdale; sisters in law Danielle (Kevin Hart), Nadine (Ian Carmichael) and brother in law Jason Samson (Jennifer); nieces Kayla, Ashley, Mary, Jacey and Sophie; nephews Nigel, Brett and Carter; great-nephew Reid and great-niece Olivia; daughter Sheila Jaegar (Sooke, BC); and many special friends, including Wendell, Darryl, Mark and Ronnie. He was predeceased by his loving mother, Verona (Burns); Uncle Norman Burns; maternal and paternal grandparents and special friend Doug Sampson.

Visitation will take place in the Glen Sampson Room, Louisdale, on December 20^th from 2 – 4pm and 7 – 9pm. Mass of Christian farewell will be held at St. Louis Church, Louisdale, on December 21^st at 11:00 am with Fr. Duncan MacIsaac and Fr. Charlie Cameron presiding. Burial to follow in the St. Louis Parish Cemetery, Louisdale. Immediately following, there will be a reception at the St. Louis Parish Hall. Memorial donations may be made to Cathy’s Place, Oncology Unit, St. Martha’s Regional Hospital. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to C. H. Boudreau Funeral Home Ltd., Arichat. To send words of comfort to the family or to light a candle in memory of Cecil please visit, www.chboudreau.com

My darling husband, “My world is a better place because of you…” <3