John Miles Durno

John Miles Durno - 82, of Kentville, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Monday, July 8, 2024 in the Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville.

Born on November 15, 1941 in Berwick, he was a son of the late Miles and Margaret (Wood) Durno. John was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend who will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He grew up in Cambridge, NS hunting and fishing and helping on the family farm.

John was an athlete and played on several Berwick Hall of Fame teams in hockey and softball, he continued to play sports for most of his life making lifelong friends along the way. He joined the Kentville Volunteer Fire Department serving as the department’s first deputy chief, holding that position for most of his 30 years of active service. He was also a Life Member the Maritime Fire Chiefs Association and was instrumental in establishing the KVFD Fireman’s Museum.

He had been employed with Robinsons Oil as an oil burner installation and repair technician, later teaching at the Kentville Vocational School (Kings County Community College – NSCC Kingstec Campus). He was a member of Valley Masonic Lodge No. 90 AF and AM in Berwick and the King County Wildlife Association, where he was a part of the elementary school educational program teaching children about fish and was able to pass on his love of nature to the future generations.

He is survived by his wife, Ada Durno (Stevens); daughters, Kimberly Ann and husband, Robert Meyer, Kingsburg, NS; Margaret Helen and husband, Jeffrey Greenlaw, Orleans, ON; granddaughters, Hailey Grace Greenlaw and Julie Ann Greenlaw; grandson, Zachary Greenlaw; sisters-in-law, Jean Stevens and Ruby Durno; many nieces and nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Alan Goosebay NF.

In keeping with John’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation by request. A celebration of John’s life will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Sunday, August 11, 2024 at the Kentville Volunteer Fire Department. A private graveside service was held in the Elm Grove Cemetery, Steam Mill, Kings County. Donations in memory may be made to VON Annapolis Valley or the Canadian Red Cross. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.