THOMPSON, Bernard Duncan – age 68, of Nine Mile River. It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Bernie on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro, after a short battle with cancer. Born on February 9th, 1957, he was the son of Mary (McDonnell) and the late Newton Thompson.

Bernie was the epitome of hard work and dedication. Bernie started his career working for the Department of Highway while in school. After leaving school he stayed full-time with the Department of Highway until a layoff in 1976. At that time Bernie went to vocational school in Kentville to take the welding program. After completing the welding program, Bernie returned to the Department of Highway until the fall of 1978. Bernie then went on to work for his father, Newton, along with his brothers. Bernie learned to drive a log-truck by driving the truck with his father. Newton would drive while the truck was loaded, and Bernie drove the truck empty.

In 1982 Newton purchased a dump truck. While Bernie was clearing the land to build his house, he learned how to drive the truck. Bernie started driving the dump truck full time in 1983, hauling asphalt. Bernie continued to drive the dump truck for his father until Newton’s death in 2007.

In 2008, Bernie purchased a dump truck and started his own business. Bernie has been a member of The Nova Scotia Truckers Association in 1995. Bernie was also an avid volunteer. He was a past member of the Nine Mile River volunteer fire department. He was a trustee with the Nine Mile River Community Hall from 1998 to 2023. Bernie also served with the St. Bernard’s Knights of Columbus Council for 26 years.

While being involved in the community was important to Bernie, there was no greater role for him than that of Grampy.

Bernie is survived by his mother, Mary (McDonnell); daughter, Laura (Pierre Babineau), of Shubenacadie East; son, Scott (Sasha Sztajdocher) of Alliston, Ontario; granddaughter, Sophie Babineau; brothers, Michael (Darlene) and Allan (Julie), both of Nine Mile River; sister, Mary Ann (James) Sawler of Enfield; nieces and nephews, Jennifer, Jeff, Adam, Steven, Lucina, Charlie, Mary-Kaitlyn, and Jacob; aunts and uncles, Bernard McDonnell, Delores Crook and Tommy (Lorraine) McDonnell, along with great nephews and cousins.

Bernie was predeceased by his infant daughter, Sara; father, Newton; brother, Brian; aunts and uncles, Raymond Thompson, Irene (Don) Mattatall, Downey Thompson, Lottie McDonnell, Bill Crook, Dominic McDonnell, Betty McIntosh, Helen (Jim) Simmonds, Lorna Thompson and Wendy McCorkill.

Bernie’s family would like to thank the staff at the VG Hospital, both 8A and 8B units, for their care, along with the Palliative Care Unit at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre.

Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of Ettinger Funeral Homes, Shubenacadie and Elmsdale.

Funeral Service will be held at 10am on Saturday, August 16th, 2025, at St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Church, 253 Highway 2, Enfield. Father Gerald David Officiating. Interment will take place at the St. Bernard’s columbarium, afterwards a procession will take family and friends to the Nine Mile River Community Hall, 7160 Highway 14, Nine Mile River.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Bernard’s Knights of Columbus Council 11625 or the Nine Mile River Community Hall.

Tributes, words of comfort and memories of Bernard may be shared with the family at www.ettingerfuneralhome.com