David Kernick

David Leonard Kernick

Sydney Mines

  It is with great sadness we announce the passing of David Leonard Kernick, age 92, on Saturday, July 10, 2021. Born in Sydney Mines April 7,1929, he was the son of the late Archie and Bertha (Quinn) Kernick. David joined the Merchant Navy at 14 where he advanced from a boy shoveling coal into the ship's boiler, to working in the engine room, all the way to becoming a Marine Engineer. An amazing achievement without any formal training.  He bravely and honorably served our country and our allies until the end of WW2 when he began working at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography as an engineer on both the Baffin and the Fort Francis.
 Retirement from a sailor’s life came in 1958 when he married Mary MacIsaac and they moved to Toronto to begin their life together. David continued his engineering career in industrial factories, while he and Mary expanded their family with four boys. Missing the East Coast and their families, David began working at Tufts Cove in Dartmouth in 1976. Another move closer to “home” brought him to St. FX University for a few years while running a Christmas Tree Farm in Giant’s Lake.
 In 1996 David’s hometown of Sydney Mines called again as he began full time retirement. Daily walks by the ocean, drives along the shore, reminiscing about old friends and good times brought so much joy to his later years. Finally overlooking the water in Little Bras d’Or, David tried, always unsuccessfully, to catch a trout with his sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Many a summer evening was passed talking about the ones that got away.
  David is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years Mary. Also mourning his loss are his sons Richard (Susan), David Jr, Michael (Debbie) and John (Angela). David loved spending time with his grandchildren Daniel (Chelsey), Ashley, Matthew (Sheena), Nicole (Daniel), Alexander and Riley. He was also blessed with great-grandchildren Henley, Reeve, Lincoln, Vada and Quinn. He is also survived by his siblings Jimmy (Nina) and Betty and countless nieces and nephews who all have wonderful memories and stories to tell. David was also a father figure to his niece Marie Anderson.
 Besides his parents, David was predeceased by siblings Bill, Edward, Anna, Marg and Kathleen, and daughter-in-law Joanie.

Visitation for David Kernick will be held Wednesday, July 14, 2021, from 2-4 pm in J. M. Jobes Funeral Home, Sydney Mines. A celebration of his life will take place Thursday, at 11 am in Holy Family Church, Sydney Mines. The burial will be in the parish cemetery. Covid 19 restrictions will apply. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sydney Mines or North Sydney Legion, where David was a proud lifelong member. Words of comfort may be forwarded to his family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com