Obituary of Robbie Ernest Heighton

Heighton, Robert E. ‘Robbie’ River John Robbie Heighton, 81 years old of River John, passed away peacefully at the Aberdeen Hospital after a brief illness with his family at his side. Born in Welsford, he was a son of the late Ralph and Jean Heighton. Robbie was a lifelong commercial fisherman who fished as recently as this past lobster season. Being a Jack of All Trades, he also worked various jobs in the off-season, including driving a dump truck and working in construction. He was an active member of the River John Fire Department with over 51 years of continuous service where he held various positions over the years, including Captain and Deputy Chief. He loved his summers at the “Cape” (Cape John), gathering there with family and friends. The “more the merrier” was his motto, always making room for more. He loved to carry-on with others and enjoyed a good story, joke or song. Family was his priority, and Grampie Holy Smokes took great pride in his grandchildren’s accomplishments. In his later years, he enjoyed spending time with his beloved grand puppy, Lola. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Ann (Heighton); daughter, Rochelle (Blake Chapman); son, Robert (Erica Spears); grandchildren (his “true Capers”), Nole Chapman (Sierra) and Brent Chapman (Bryanna); brothers, Ronnie (Sharon) and Keith (Marilyn); sisters, Mary Monk (Merlin) and Faye Jefferson (Dana); sisters-in law, Bev Dwyer, and Maxine Cox; brothers-in law, Bob Dwyer, Charlie (Eva) Dwyer, David (Carolyn) Dwyer; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife, Leona (Dwyer); his daughter, Stacy Ann; his sister, Ruth Fraser; his sisters-in-law, Judy Dwyer, Mary Ann Cameron; brothers-in law, Ronnie Fraser, Larry Dwyer and Jim Cox; niece, Melinda; nephew, Michael; great-nephew, Jimmy, and great-niece, Phoebe. The family would like to express special thanks to Drs. Debbie Straub, Hammam Gholam, and Usman Bhutta and all the staff of the ICU and Palliative Care units of Aberdeen Hospital for their kind and compassionate care. Visitation will be held Sunday from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at McLaren Funeral Home Pictou. Funeral will be held Monday at 2 PM from the River John Fire Hall with Rev. Dr. Glen Matheson officiating. Donations in Robbie’s memory may be made to the River John Fire Department, St. John the Baptist Anglican Church or the IWK.