Leroy Noble Dykens

It is with a sad and heavy heart that we announce the death of Leroy Noble Dykens. Leroy passed away peacefully in Fredericton, NB, at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital on the morning of his 79th birthday, August 10, 2022.

Born August 10, 1943 in Wolfville, NS, Leroy was predeceased by his mother, Ruby Steele (Dykens) and his beloved uncles, Freeman, Judd, Bob, Noble, and John Dykens who helped raise him as the quiet, kind, funny, and hardworking man that he was.  

Leroy is survived by many relatives, most notably missed by brothers, Wayne (Marlene) Dykens, Curtis Dykens, Glendon Dykens, and sisters, Marlene Steele and Doreen Barnaby.

Leroy is already greatly missed and mourned by his children, Andrew Noble Dykens Anderson and Ashley Hope Anderson (mother, Kay Anderson). The first half of Leroy’s life was spent throughout the Annapolis Valley, mainly in Wolfville and Grand Pre. His children like to think of him as the strong, hardworking Dad that would frequently play baseball with them and all the kids in the neighbourhood, no matter how tired he was.

Ashley fondly remembers sitting high in the cherry trees, reading for hours, whenever her father took her to the farm with him. Leroy always had a coffee in hand and liked to sing along to the radio, especially "Hit the Road, Jack". These are some of the wonderful memories she has shared with her children, Leroy’s grandchildren, Andrew Anthony Anderson and Cody Austin Anderson so they could learn about who their grandfather was.

Leroy spent the second half of his life throughout Cape Breton, NS, and Fredericton, NB. He is greatly missed, and fondly remembered, by his stepdaughter, Carrie Anne (Robert) MacAllister, who was also his loving caretaker during the final years of his life. He was a supportive, and kind, stepfather to Carrie, and beloved Papa to Tamara-Lynn Colson. He lived a peaceful, full and happy life with Carrie and Tamara in Fredericton. Being Tamara’s Papa made him very proud. Ashley and Carrie are extremely grateful to lean on each other, as sisters, as they mourn the man who brought them together in life.

Leroy was happiest when in nature, and had an incredible "green thumb", which he utilized through a career in farming. He was a talented pruner, grafter, and grower throughout Grand Pre. In the 1980’s Leroy converted a school bus into a mobile produce distribution centre that travelled throughout the Atlantic, selling fresh fruit and vegetables from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland and everywhere in between. He was innovative, ahead of his time, and saw the need for fresh, healthy food in more rural areas over forty years ago. He proudly supplied produce directly to families throughout the Atlantic region for many years.

Leroy was a true hippy, spending years off-grid in the hills of Cape Breton with Kay, Andrew, and Ashley in a log cabin he and Kay built by hand while she was pregnant with Andrew. Leroy loved to be outdoors, planting everything, tapping maple and tending to the gardens and trees. The times in the woods were some of his most special memories. Andrew treasures a jackknife and heirloom pocket watch, gifted to him from his father many years ago. Leroy was a man of few worldly possessions, preferring experiences like camping and time outdoors over stuff. Andrew and Leroy enjoyed a shared love for movies, especially comedies, and one of their favourites was "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" which they saw in theatre together on a rare and memorable father-son day when Andrew was a boy. Memories are more valuable than gold and our family treasures even the simple ones with Leroy.

Leroy had a tragic workplace accident in his fifties which drastically changed the course of his life. His injuries were severe and debilitating, however his resilience was much stronger. He was determined to walk again and prove to the Doctors, and to everyone, that he was still strong! He went on to walk again and even ride his bicycle all over Sydney.

Collecting books and reading everything he could get his hands on was a favourite pastime which he shared with his daughter Ashley. They would often discuss the latest books by their favourite authors as a way to connect. In the last few years, he continued to enjoy books and puzzles, often emptying his dressers of all his clothes to make room for more books. He accurately completed two word searches the day before he passed, showing once again how incredible the mind truly is.

He was extremely hard working and always the first to volunteer to help someone with any need at all. It wasn’t unheard of for him to spend hours shovelling/plowing out all the driveways on his entire street after a storm. He was a friend to all. A common phrase he had in life was that "everything will be alright", as he planned out what was needed, wrote out his lists, and got right to work!

When remembering Leroy, everyone has a great story (or ten!) to share. He was a wonderful human, a funny character and an interesting soul. Please enjoy a slice of ice-cream cake (his favourite), light a candle in his memory and share your stories with each other as we keep his spirit alive.

 

"That the silent presence of your death

Would call your life to attention,

Wake you up to how scarce your time is

And to the urgency to become free

And equal to the call of your destiny.

 

That you would gather yourself

And decide carefully

How you now can live

The life you would love

To look back on

From your deathbed."

 

~John O’Donohue

In keeping with Leroy's wishes, his body was donated to the Dalhousie Human Body Donation Program to further educational studies and medical research. A private family service will take place at a later date. For those who wish, donations in memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Society. Online condolences may be directed to https://www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/164176