John DeBlois Boyd

Arrangements under the direction of Ettinger Funeral Home, Shubenacadie, NS. Boyd, John DeBlois "Blois" - Born in Portaupique, to Everett Pearly Boyd and Edna Isadore (Hill) Boyd on August 25, 1929. The second of four sons. Blois, as he was known by his many friends passed away peacefully at his farm with his sons at his side and his faithful dogs at his feet. Blois was predeceased by both parents; his brothers, Eric and Ivan; his sister, Edna Louise who died at childbirth, and his favourite uncle, Charlie Boyd who passed this spring at 92 years of age. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 55 years, Reta Edith (McKay) Boyd; sons, John Douglas, Alexander Gregory Dexter (Linda Smith), and Paul DeBlois; brother, Glenn Boyd; grandchildren, John Dexter, Jeffrey Everett Pearly, Shelby Danielle Alex, Madison Elizabeth Dexter and Jasmine Danielle. There are many other children who Blois loved as his own including Mary Fisher, Shane Boucher, Mathew Hawboldt, Chance and Candace McKenzie, Herb McDonalds children, and more. Our father was a generous and compassionate man. Friendship and loyalty meant everything to Blois. He was often sought out for his expertise on many subjects and he was always willing to express his opinion. As a young man he was known as Speedy Boyd on his hockey team and he also played rugby for the Truro Saints. A fact unknown to his family until his grandchildren took up the sport, and he greatly enjoyed going out to watch them play. In his younger days he worked as a brakeman on the railroad, and spent a winter or two logging in Montrose with Charlie Roberts. He had a small fishing boat as a teenager and I recall him telling the story of awakening one morning on the Bay of Fundy with a whale sleeping beside his boat. By the age of 17 he was contracting on his own and by his early 20s he had purchased a subdivision in Truro where one street still carries his name. That love of construction continued throughout his life and was passed on to his sons and later generations. Blois started Blackcrest Kennels in 1954, breeding German Shepherds in Nova Scotia to advance the breed, and share the unique qualities of the dog with others. When asked why he chose the German Shepherds in 1954, his reply was, "I don't remember picking them. I think they picked me." His professional involvement in the dog community is impressive, and depicts a man that has allowed his life to be driven by the animal he has loved. In 1959 he organized the very first breed survey in Nova Scotia, then in 1963 hosted a one hour weekly TV show on CBC called "Pedigrees, Please". Blois turned down an offer to move to Toronto to pursue his TV career, instead opting to remain in Nova Scotia with his Kennels and the local dog community. Always active, he became a licensed judge in 1969, and judged his first show in 1970 in the United States. Through the years Blois sat on commissions that dealt with dog issues in Nova Scotia, judged shows, performed and assisted with K-9 Search and Rescue, traveled far and abroad to interact with other lovers of the breed, to obtain the best stock he could find, and stay abreast of the realm of German Shepherds. Blois believed whatever activities were available to dog fanciers in other parts of North America, should be available in Nova Scotia as well. In 1961 he founded the Nova Scotia German Shepherd Dog Club, his driving influence had the club holding the first obedience trial, the first all-breed temperament test, first tracking trial, and the first National Specialty. In 1986 he started B & R Pet Supplies out of his home, a business that is still thriving in Windsor Junction today with three generations of the Boyd family working together to service the community. The family would like to thank the staff of 7.1 Cardiac Unit at QEII Health Sciences Centre for all their compassionate care over the past year, and especially Amy, and as Dad said, "Who could forget Amy". We would like to thank the nurses on 8.2 for their compassion shown in Dads last hours. Visitation Saturday from 3-6 p.m. in Ettingers Funeral Home, Shubenacadie with funeral service Sunday at 3 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in Portaupique Cemetery. Reception to follow at the Boyd Family Farm, Portiaupique. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Portaupique Cemetary for perpetual care, or the Nova Scotia German Shepherd Dog Club.