print this page
close this page

Ivan Joseph Bishop

1959-2020

Ivan Joseph Bishop

Ivan Joseph Bishop, age 60, of Canaan, NS, passed away tragically on Friday, February 14, 2020 while enjoying a day of fresh snow on his snowmobile with a family friend. Born in Wolfville on August 14, 1959, he was the son of Glenda Marita (Ross) and the late Ronald Ivan Bishop. Ivan grew up in New Minas and lived in Canaan, where he built his home at the age of 19 with his wife, Heather.

Ivan loved the outdoors and adventure. He and his family operated Wilderness Outfitters, an outdoor specialty store, in New Minas from 1981-1991. Over the years Ivan enjoyed skiing, mountain biking, four-wheeling, dirt biking, motorcycling, playing hockey, tinkering in his garage or on his tractor. A special annual event was fishing with the Kick Bass crew at Stump Jumper Lodge. Many activities were shared with Heather, travelling, camping, hiking in the backwoods, or relaxing at home watching Game of Thrones. While son, Justin and daughter, Erin live in different cities, Ivan was always a phone call away in planning the next time and place the family would reconnect. Ivan and his brothers spent their summers at the family cottage at Aylesford Lake, where their families and friends continue to enjoy their time together. Ivan valued having a close family and he was deeply thankful. He was fun-loving and frank. He was no stranger to walking around a party with a sleeve of shooters or offering guests one of his legendary Caesars. He was an entertaining auctioneer and kept community members in stitches with his humorous personality at the annual Canaan Community Harvest Auction. He was employed at the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture in the early 1980s. He studied as a mature student at the College of Geographic Science. Soon afterwards, he headed to Halifax to work with Wallace, MacDonald & Lively, now WSP Canada Inc. Ivan had a successful career over the past 25 years, presently as Senior Contract Administrator, Field Supervisor, Engineering.

Ivan will be lovingly remembered by his wife and best friend of 44 years, Heather Rose (Benedict); their children, Justin Alexander (Kirsten Prysunka), Grande Prairie and Erin Christine (Tony To), Toronto; mother, Glenda Marita (Ross) Bishop, New Minas; two brothers, Stephen Blaine Bishop (Kelly Coombs), Aylesford Lake and sons, Alexander (Dione Rousseau), Vancouver, Samuel (Jackie), New Germany and Tanner, Halifax; Mark Ronald Bishop (Lesley Jodrey), St. Croix, and children Emma (Austen Mounce), St. Croix and Joseph, Wolfville; sister-in-law, Connie (Stan) Schofield, Gaspereau and children, Ryan Gertridge (Jillian Weatherbee), Edmonton, Brenton (Rachel) Gertridge, Gaspereau, Alex Schofield (Jayelle Challis), Kentville, and Abbi Schofield, Truro; brothers-in-law, Dana (Kerri) Benedict and Sarah, Cambridge; Darrell (Barbara) Benedict and daughter Rhiannon (Chris Riley), Kentville; aunt, Anne Bishop, New Minas and her children, Cameron (Allison), Edmonton and Martin (Elizabeth), Dartmouth; cousin Ardith (Don) Pineo and family, English Mountain Rd.

Besides his father, he was predeceased by in-laws, Delbert Owen and Georgina Lydia (Ploughman) Benedict.

The family will hold a visitation from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2020 in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville where a celebration of Ivan’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2020, followed by a reception. Cremation has taken place. Family flowers only, by request. Donations in memory of Ivan’s life may be made to the Canaan Cemetery or a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. On-line condolences and inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.


Ivan was a loving husband, dedicated father, caring brother
and uncle, dearest son, and a humble friend to many.
He will be missed always, and in our hearts forever.

>Click here to View Condolences
Service Date
Friday, February 21, 2020
Service Time
2:00 p.m.
Service Location
White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, NS

Visitation
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Visitation Time
6-8 p.m.
Visitation Location
White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, NS

Requested Charity
Canaan Cemetery or charity of your choice