Obituary for William Augustus (Gus) Oldford
It is with great sadness, that the family of the late Gus Oldford announced his passing at the Valley Vista Senior’s Home in Springdale on October 27, 2023 at the age of 98.
William Augustus Oldford (Gus) was born in Burnside, NL on October 18, 1925. He was a fraternal twin to his brother Chesley and they both had an older sister Dorothy (Dot).
Gus grew up in Burnside and attended a one room school. He worked alongside his dad helping him in the cannery with the lobsters and salmon. And the way he enjoyed doing dishes, he surely helped his mom around the kitchen.
He met the love of his life Mabel Caines while they both were teaching in Cox’s Cove. The were married on August 18, 1949 and raised three children.
Gus worked as a teacher in his early career. Then he took a position as a Welfare Officer in Jackson’s Arm / Hampden. From there he became appointed as a Magistrate in 1958. He lived in Harbour Breton, Harbour Grace, Grand Falls, Wabush and Springdale. While in Grand Falls he was approached by the government to fulfill the position of Chief Elections Officer and then ran for the seat of Fortune, which to his own amazement he won. He was a Cabinet Minister with the Joey Smallwood Liberal Government. He left politics and returned to the Magistracy. He retired in 1991 at 65 years of age with 35 years of service in the Magistracy.
Gus was an avid gardener and outdoors man. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and cutting wood. He loved get togethers and a game of cards, many games of cards. And you couldn’t cross Mabel and Gus’ doorstep without coming in for a “little” drink or a cup of tea. Most left with a bottle of preserves or a tin of moose, rabbit, etc.; and the younger visitors often left with a few more dollars in their pockets.
Gus was a very kind, generous and sweet man. He was a great story teller and lived a full life with few regrets. He was wise, considerate, tolerant, helpful and giving. Our Mom was our anchor and our Dad will always be our glue that keeps us all together. He will be forever loved, remembered and missed.
Gus was predeceased by his wife Mabel; brother Chesley, and sister Dorothy.
He leaves to mourn his sons, Gordon(Jan), Vernon(Lorna), and daughter, Kim(Wade). He also leaves to mourn his daughter-in-law, Mary, and grandchildren, Will(Dawn), Beth(Paula), Amy(Jeremy), Allison(Tim), Megan(Mark), Katie(Keita),Scott(Grace);great grandchildren, William, Jenna, Philip, Sam, Simon, Levi, Diego, Alejandro, Olivia, Ruby and Isaac. Also many nephews, nieces, family and friends.
Reverend Madonna Boone will conduct the funeral service at Springdale Central Funeral Home on October 30, 2023, with internment to follow at the Springdale Anglican cemetery.
Special thanks to the staff of Valley Vista Senior’s Home for the care and compassion they provided to our dad. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local food bank.
William Augustus Oldford (Gus) was born in Burnside, NL on October 18, 1925. He was a fraternal twin to his brother Chesley and they both had an older sister Dorothy (Dot).
Gus grew up in Burnside and attended a one room school. He worked alongside his dad helping him in the cannery with the lobsters and salmon. And the way he enjoyed doing dishes, he surely helped his mom around the kitchen.
He met the love of his life Mabel Caines while they both were teaching in Cox’s Cove. The were married on August 18, 1949 and raised three children.
Gus worked as a teacher in his early career. Then he took a position as a Welfare Officer in Jackson’s Arm / Hampden. From there he became appointed as a Magistrate in 1958. He lived in Harbour Breton, Harbour Grace, Grand Falls, Wabush and Springdale. While in Grand Falls he was approached by the government to fulfill the position of Chief Elections Officer and then ran for the seat of Fortune, which to his own amazement he won. He was a Cabinet Minister with the Joey Smallwood Liberal Government. He left politics and returned to the Magistracy. He retired in 1991 at 65 years of age with 35 years of service in the Magistracy.
Gus was an avid gardener and outdoors man. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and cutting wood. He loved get togethers and a game of cards, many games of cards. And you couldn’t cross Mabel and Gus’ doorstep without coming in for a “little” drink or a cup of tea. Most left with a bottle of preserves or a tin of moose, rabbit, etc.; and the younger visitors often left with a few more dollars in their pockets.
Gus was a very kind, generous and sweet man. He was a great story teller and lived a full life with few regrets. He was wise, considerate, tolerant, helpful and giving. Our Mom was our anchor and our Dad will always be our glue that keeps us all together. He will be forever loved, remembered and missed.
Gus was predeceased by his wife Mabel; brother Chesley, and sister Dorothy.
He leaves to mourn his sons, Gordon(Jan), Vernon(Lorna), and daughter, Kim(Wade). He also leaves to mourn his daughter-in-law, Mary, and grandchildren, Will(Dawn), Beth(Paula), Amy(Jeremy), Allison(Tim), Megan(Mark), Katie(Keita),Scott(Grace);great grandchildren, William, Jenna, Philip, Sam, Simon, Levi, Diego, Alejandro, Olivia, Ruby and Isaac. Also many nephews, nieces, family and friends.
Reverend Madonna Boone will conduct the funeral service at Springdale Central Funeral Home on October 30, 2023, with internment to follow at the Springdale Anglican cemetery.
Special thanks to the staff of Valley Vista Senior’s Home for the care and compassion they provided to our dad. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local food bank.