Obituary of Cecil Ross Soper

80, Halifax, Passed peacefully away at the White Hills Long Term Care Facility on Tuesday, November 8, 2011. Born in St. John’s, NL, Cec is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Gwen (Stockley) who was by his side as he passed, and continually over the years as he battled Alzheimer’s disease. He was the foundation upon which we built a loving family, and he always cherished being surrounded by them as much as possible. We feel he took comfort knowing we were with him in his final hours. Leaving to mourn – and also celebrate – his life, are children, Brenda (Patrick) French, Robert (Denise) Soper, Donna (Gerald) Wells, Keith (Paula) Soper and Michelle (Doug) Bowdery. Visits, vacations, parties, sports and dinners were joys of his life – but no joys were greater than when he experienced the births of his 11 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He simply cherished them. Leaving to mourn also are, brother, Leroy (Della) and sister, Diane (Mike); brother-in-law, Art Stockley (Daphne) and sister-in-law, Shirley Price (Luke). Cec had been living away from Newfoundland for 30 years and is remembered for his outstanding work as a sports administrator and volunteer, as well as for his athletic career in the 1950s in his native province. His varied professional career included working in retail as a small business owner, as Town Manager of Clarenville, in the oil industry as a VP with The Newfoundland Refining Company Ltd., and eventually took him to the USA and mainland Canada in the cable television industry, as part owner of a piano company and as an entrepreneur who ‘played the market’. The LA Dodgers, bowling, dropping-a-line at Gander Pond, and Frank Sinatra’s music were topics for many a good natured argument. He loved it all! He instilled in us that integrity, hard work, sacrifices and respect for people are the foundations upon which a good and graceful life is lived. His spirit, values, decency and wicked sense of humour lives on. Bless you Dad...enjoy this journey as you enjoyed life. He was predeceased by his mother, Gladys Peach (Rick) and father, Ed Soper; brothers, Ed (Beulah) and Ron (Bernice); sisters, Dorothy (Aaron), Rona (Bob). Cremation and a service celebrating his life have both taken place. Interment will take place in St. John’s, Newfoundland next summer, 2012. As expressions of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the The Seniors Resource Centre Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, 280 Torbay Road, Suite W 100, St. John’s Newfoundland A1A 3W8, (709) 737-2333 or to the Canadian Alzheimer’s Society. To the staff of Glades and White Hills Long Term Care facilities, we want you to know that you are more than professional caregivers – you are special people doing a special job. You have touched Cecil’s life and the lives of our family in ways that are immensely appreciated. Please accept our eternal gratitude.