In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar

COLLYER, Rodger William - It is with great sadness, the family of Rodger William Collyer, 81, of Lunenburg announce his passing on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at Harbour View Haven, Lunenburg.

Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, he was a son of the late John William and Agnes Allan (Harper) Collyer.
Rodger lost his father in 1944, flying with the RAF. His mother then remarried in 1948 to Robert Epps. At the age of seventeen, Rodger ran away and joined the RCN. He served from 1959 to 1968 on a number of ships, including HMCS BONAVENTURE.

He married Mary Teresa McDonald on November 24, 1962, in Halifax. They had two sons, John William Collyer III and Robert Seamus Collyer. He and Teresa were married for 52 years, until she passed in 2014.

Dad worked in radio in Sydney, Cape Breton and in the construction industry in sales (Ottawa, Sussex, NB, Halifax and Sydney, CB) after he left the navy. He always managed to swing back to his favourite place, Cape Breton and in particular River Bourgeois, my mother’s family home. He spent many summers fishing and having adventures with Mom’s siblings.

Dad enjoyed volunteering and was active in his community. He was proud to have been an ambassador for Dartmouth, NS, acting as their Town Crier from the mid 1980’s to the early 1990’s. He was also active as a Cadet Instructor List (CIL)Reservist serving as Commanding Officer of 24 Magnificent Sea Cadet Corp, Dartmouth and 18 Dartmouth Air Cadet Squadron. In his later years, he enjoyed teaching drawing to the residents of Harbour View Haven, Lunenburg.

Dad is survived by his sons; John Collyer and Sheri (Lantz) Collyer, Crouse’s Settlement; Robert Collyer and Lynn (Logan), Denton, TX; his grandchildren, Kyrsten Collyer and fiancé Jason Poirier, Andrew and Emma and his great-grandchildren, Sadie and Arden Poirier.

Funeral arrangement entrusted to the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy #3, Lunenburg. Rodger will be cremated and his ashes will be interred with the love of his life, Teresa, in Cape Breton. A Celebration of life will be held later this summer.

Thank yous are not enough to express our gratitude to the staff of the fourth floor, SSRH and the staff of Harbour View Haven for looking after Dad in his last days.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Harbour View Haven, Lunenburg, would be appreciated by the family. (Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home)

Ships served in:

HMCS BONAVENTURE

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