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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
NUGENT, Desmond Francis (Des) - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father, Desmond Francis Nugent on Friday, March 12, 2021, in the Halifax Infirmary, QEII. Des was 86. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Louise (Dallien) Nugent, aged 90, Parkland It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father, Desmond Francis Nugent on Friday, March 12, 2021, in the Halifax Infirmary, QEII. Des was 86. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Louise (Dallien) Nugent, aged 90, Parkland Gardens, Halifax; and his children, Alexandra "Lexa" Barnes (Jeffrey Meeks), Moyock, N.C.; Kirsten "Kirsty" Nugent (Peter Moore), Byron Bay, Australia; and Roger Nugent (Beth Hunter Nugent) Halifax. In addition to his wife and children, he leaves behind his sister, Ann Wreford (Peter Harvey); grandchildren, Dylan Barnes (Aiza Barnes), Neal Desmond Barnes, Amelia Louise Nugent and Evelyn Nugent; and great-grandchildren, Serena Barnes and Kalea Barnes. He was predeceased by his brother, Greg Ashworth. Des was born in Imfalta, Malta to parents George and Olga (Ledwidge) Nugent in 1934. He grew up in England and, at 16 years old, having completed his matriculation from high school at Wimbledon College London, he signed his indenture to the merchant marine. At 21 he immigrated to Canada and joined the Royal Canadian Navy where he served as an officer until 1981, retiring at the rank of LCDR CD, RCN. Des' seagoing years were followed by service ashore, including a six month rotation in Vietnam in 1973 as part of the Peacekeeping Force. Upon his retirement from the Navy, he pursued an interesting and varied civilian career that culminated in ten years with NATO in the Command Control and Communications Directorate in Brussels, Belgium. He married Louise Viola Dallien (Sydney) in 1959 and together they raised three children who had the great good fortune of a father with a glint in his eye, full of fun, love and unconditional support. The family spent happy years living in Victoria, B.C., Winnipeg, Man., Hamilton, Ont., Kanata, Ont., Ottawa, Ont., Halifax, Virginia Beach, Va., and Brussels, Belgium. Des had a sharp, curious mind and continued to study, earning degrees from the University of Manitoba (BA), Carleton University Ottawa (MA) and the Open University in Brussels (BS). In 1994, Des and Louise retired to a waterfront home on Halfway Lake, Hammonds Plains (Halifax) where together they continued to travel, in addition to gardening, boating and entertaining friends and family from far and wide. Avid tennis players, they were members at both the Waegwoltic and Northcliffe Tennis Clubs. As lovers of fine art, they volunteered at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and Des served as a docent for the HMCS Sackville. Des spent his whole life on, in or near the water. He was a keen swimmer, sailor, snorkeler and diver. For 61 years, Louise was his biggest fan and laughed at all his jokes. Never one for a dull moment, Des was a great conversationalist, always enjoying a chat and a beer with a friend, or serving up a great margarita. The Navy provided Des and Louise with a social life that suited their outgoing and friendly nature well into retirement, including enjoying weekly three hour lunches with their dear Halifax based friends. Des' legendary quick wit, warmth and intelligence will be missed by all but most of all by his adoring family. A memorial service will be held at a later date due to COVID-19 restrictions. (Halifax Chronicle-Herald 08 Apr 2021)
Ships served in: HMCS MARGAREE - Served in Margaree 24 Jan 1972 - 05 Apr 1972 as a LCdr, CO. 9th Commanding Officer
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