Friday, March 26, 2021
Almost a week has passed since the death of my father, John Fahey at age 89. He would have been 90 in
a few weeks. He was our Dad, a grand dad and a great granddad.
Dad was at peace when he passed, he seemed to be satisfied that us kids, who are all now seniors
ourselves, are okay and can continue to thrive.
John came to Canada from Australia in 1958. He joked that he worked his way to Canada on a Banana
Boat, he said the bananas actually grow straight, and his job was to steam and bend them so they are
the shape we see in the grocery store.
Dad was the smartest man I have ever known. He educated himself, was well read, and a fine musician.
Dad got a job with the Black Watch brass band upon his arrival in Halifax in 1958. Apparently they were
suffering a shortage of tuba players at the time and welcomed him with open arms.
Shortly after moving to Halifax, Dad met my Mom, Thelma (Pat) Anthony, and my big brother James.
They married on March 22, 1958 In the following years, I was born in Halifax , my brother Bill born in
Fredericton, Michael who was born in a British military hospital in Germany , and last Charles was born
in Montreal.
Dad supported our family as a tuba player, playing with the Black Watch band, the Stadacona band,
Stumpfs German band, and the Chester brass band. He got to travel the world, and we got to go to
many different countries as well. It was a good way to grow up.
In 1975, my parents found their property in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia . Mom said no more moving 5
kids around the world.
By this time James was married and had moved out, myself, Bill, Mike and Charlie were left at home.
Dad was a “starry-eyed back to the lander” before it became fashionable. We had Harrowsmith
magazines everywhere. He created a huge garden, we got chickens, ducks, pigs, and goats, as well as
many dogs and cats throughout the years.
Dad had the great ideas, Mom had the practical knowledge, they made a pretty good team. They would
have been married for 63 years this year. Mom passed away in 2012.
I mourn for my gentle, humble, dad, but I am happy that he is no longer suffering pain, and I’m sure
Mom & him have a lot to talk about in heaven.
