John Francis McQuaid

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of our father, John Francis McQuaid of Ten Mile House, on July 12th, 2025 , in his 80th year.

Beloved father of Kerri (Danny) Burrows and Andrew (Tracy Davidson) McQuaid. Adored Poppy to Grandchildren Brian (Jody), Gregory (Paige) and Tristan (Jillian) Burrows, Shelbie (Mat Cardinal) and Hannah (Ethan Stuckel) McQuaid, and Great grandchildren  Kannon, Leah, Kylee, Zander and Mila Burrows, Step Grandsons, Todd (Tia) and Colby Whilt.

Also survived by his brother ad sister-in-law, Joe and Kaye, sister and brother in law, Diane (Roger) Doiron, sister in law Judy (Leo) Sheehan, Cindy Grainger, several  loved nieces and nephews, and very special friends, who are our chosen family, Gerard and Rose Long, as well as many friends he gained throughout his almost 80 years of life.

He was predeceased by his wife, Avril (nee Grainger), his parents Bernard and Ethel (nee Hughes) McQuaid, brothers Earl, Pat and Maurice and sister Teresa Doyle and brothers-in-law, Billy Doyle, father and mother-in-law, Cecil and Pauline Grainger, brothers-in-law, Mike Grainger, Nic Grainger and Martin Grainger and sister-in-law, Carole Grainger and great granddaughter, Maeve Burrows.

Dad enjoyed working on the family farm helping his father and uncle with farm duties. Many stories were told over the years about growing up on the farm.   In 1966 he decided he needed to venture off PEI to find something better. He ended up in Streetsville, ON where he worked at Northern Electric until he decided to go to George Brown College and take truck driving. It was also in Streetsville where he met and married the love of his life, Avril, in 1969. Later that year they welcomed their daughter, Kerri.  In 1972 they decided it was time to make the move back to PEI and purchased their first home in Bedford, PEI. Dad continued the trucking career after moving to PEI and worked for CN Transport. In 1975 we welcomed  son, Andrew into our family. Our family was now complete. In 1977 Dad and Mom built a home in Ten Mile House on the McQuaid family property, Dad being the 3rd  generation to own part of the original  property. It is here where Dad remained until his final days. Over the years Dad worked mostly in the field of trucking and worked for several companies over his career but retired at Seafood Express in 2021.

Dad loved working around the yard, reading, watching the Blue Jays play ball, play cards and most of all he LOVED spending time with his family!  He was always up for a visit with his great-grandkids! Even when Dad was unwell he always brightened up when the kids were around. The grandkids and great-grandkids could never do any wrong and he was the first to praise every milestone and brag to family and friends about their achievements! He loved to be with them  throwing a ball, riding the lawn tractor, snowmobile, a bike, 4 wheeler,  planting a garden, reading to them or just laying in bed while the little girls  would brush his hair or wash his face and hands or cuddled up watching TV with them, but they picked the show!

 Dad loved to have a laugh, and liked nothing more than shooting a wise crack, but if you could get a smirk out of him it lit up the room. Right to the end he was cracking smart remarks to family, friends and nurses.  He never lost his sense of humor even in the darkest of this journey.

We have all be very blessed and honored to have him as our  Dad, Poppy, brother and friend, but there will be a void in our hearts and home forever!  He was a man who showed few emotions but we always knew he loved us and he was and will forever be our rock and our hero!  Our minds tell us he is at peace and no longer suffering, and back in Mom’s arms,  but our hearts are empty and there is an even larger void that can never be filled.  He will be missed forever.  Hug Mom and Maeve tight from us Dad, but know you are missed more than you will ever know.

We would like to thank the fantastic doctors and nurses who have been with us on this journey.  A special shout out to Dr. Laura Heron, Dr. Stephanie Bell, Dr. Megan Armstrong, Dr. Stephen Walsh, Dr. Melanie Boucher, Doctors and Nurses at the Provincial Palliative Care Centre, Palliative Home Care team, EMS staff who helped with Dad and Johnny Keoughan, Home Care RCW. Your true care and compassion for not only Dad but also all his family will never be forgotten. To all our family, friends, of which are too numerous to mention, we cannot thank you enough for all your support and visits throughout this journey.  May God Bless you all.

Resting at Belvedere Funeral Home Tuesday, July 15th, 2025 from 4:00 – 8:00pm with funeral service on Wednesday, July 16th, 2025 at 3pm at St. Bonaventure’s Church, Tracadie Cross. Internment in St. Bonaventure’s Cemetery following the service.