BEATON, Angus John "A.J." – Age 79, Troy, Inverness Co. It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of A.J. at his home in Troy on Tuesday, August 21, 2018. Born on July 5, 1939, A.J. was the son of the late John and Margaret Ann (Cameron) Beaton of S.W. Mabou. Being the son of a farmer/fisherman, A.J. became accustomed to hard work at a young age and carried that trait with him until his final day on earth. On that last day, A.J. arose early as always and set out to do his daily tasks. He took time for prayer in his beloved Creignish church, attended an evening ceilidh, back home for his bedtime lunch and then off to bed. Little did any of us know that he would peacefully slip away into heaven a short time later as Jeanette lay by his side. A.J. started school at Baden as a Gaelic speaking young boy. Upon completion of his schooling in Mabou, he began working for the newly opened Nova Scotia Forest Industries. His vacations were spent fishing alongside his father. Through training in Sweden, he became one of the original back-tender/machine tender operators of PM1 at the mill. He was respected by his co-workers, where they shared many a laugh and a few steps. In retirement A.J. focused on the quarry he was so proud of. Many thanks to D.J. Campbell, Weeks Construction and the many supporters who were much appreciated by A.J. In his early years at the mill, after securing full-time employment, A.J. purchased a new 66 Chev Impala and was now in search for a partner to share in his life’s journey. His dream came true when he met a New Waterford girl at a Brookvillage square dance and as they say, the rest is history. A.J. was a pillar in his community of Troy/Creignish. He was always there to help others, be it at his beloved church or hall, visiting the sick and lonely, driving someone to an appointment, cutting a neighbour’s lawn or washing their car, or simply remembering people in his daily prayer. His property was a reflection of himself. Many a passerby slowed down or even stopped to take a quick picture of the beautiful grounds all surrounded by his perfectly trimmed hedge with his immaculately shined car parked in the driveway. A.J. had a very special place in his heart for his many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, including the two newest, A.J. Gillis in Yarmouth and Maria Bernadette Lahey in Ontario. He so admired their many accomplishments and they in return will surely miss the keen interest and caring he always showed for them. A.J. and Jeanette had a beautiful life together, attending square dances, enjoying home cooked meals and most importantly attending mass. He respected and enjoyed many wonderful priests that latest being his good friend, Father Hughie D. MacDonald. A.J. is survived by his loving wife, Jeanette; sisters, Jeanette O’Leary, Mamie MacDougall, Minnie (Alex) MacMaster, Mary Janet (Cecil) MacDonald; brother, Donald Alex (Loretta) Beaton and sister-in-law, Debbie Beaton. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Annie (Duncan) Gillis, Carol Ann (Gerard) Graham; brothers-in-law, Daniel (Beverly) MacDonald, Joe (Sandra) MacDonald; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; as well as Jeanette’s stepbrothers and sisters in the New England states. A.J. was predeceased by his parents, John and Margaret Ann (Cameron) Beaton; brother, Alexander; brothers-in-law, Jackie MacDougall, Jim O’Leary; parents-in-law, Michael and Danena and stepmother, Kay. A.J. will rest in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury from 7-9 p.m. on Sunday and from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Monday. Funeral mass will be 11 a.m. Tuesday from Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church, Creignish with Father Allan MacMillan officiating. Donations may be made to The I.W.K. Foundation, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, Stella Maris Parish Cemetery Fund or to a charity of one’s choice. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com Thank you A.J. for being a wonderful husband and for making our world a better place. I love you and will miss you dearly. Visitation Information Visitation Sunday, August 26 and Monday, August 27, 2018 Visitation Time 7-9 p.m. Sunday and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday Visitation Location Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury Service Information Service Date Tuesday, August 28, 2018 Service Time 11 a.m. Service Location Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church, Creignish Burial Information Burial Date Tuesday, August 28, 2018 Burial Time Following funeral mass Burial Location Stella Maris Parish Cemetery, Creignish