Edison Theodore Howatson

It is with broken hearts that we, his loving family, announce the passing of our cherished Edison, devoted son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He left us peacefully on Oct. 9, 2025, at the age of 83, surrounded by those who loved him. Born in Alder Point and raised in Florence, Edison was the treasured son of the late Robert and Theresa (MacNeil) Howatson. He is now reunited with family: brothers Cyril Howatson and Tom Aucoin; nephews Robert Reid and Wayne Brown; nieces Ann Marie Howatson and Debbie Wells; brothers-in-law Gordon MacDonald, Kevin O’Driscoll, and Billy Johnston; sisters-in-law Sarah and Sandra Johnston; and his mother and father-in-law, Mary Margaret and George Johnston.

Edison will be forever loved and missed by his beloved wife of 55 years, Agnes (Johnston) Howatson. He will also be missed by his cherished daughter Colleen (Howatson) Brown and chosen son Tommy Johnston. His loving grandchildren, Jamie Brown, Justin Brown, and Mariska (Logan Rose) Brown, carry on his memory. His pride and joys, great-grandchildren Hunter and Hayley Brown, and their mom, Shyla Croft, brought him much joy. He was blessed to be part of a great, loving family. He is survived by his sisters, Annie (George) Reid, Muriel MacDonald, Shirley O’Driscoll, Linda (George) Flemming, and Pam (Neil) Dandy, as well as his brothers, Bobby (Veronica) Howatson and Gordie (Darlene) Howatson. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Stella (Bruce) Howatson, Yvonne (Bill) Poole, and Mary Aucoin. He had many nieces and nephews, whom he thought the world of, and who were there for him till the very end.

He was a proud veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, a fact we came to truly appreciate when his grandson Justin joined the Royal Canadian Air Force—he beamed with pride. He dedicated 37 years to the coal mines, where his coworkers often joked the place would close without him—the mines did close shortly thereafter.  Undeterred, at 59, he bravely pursued his GED and poured his energy into his new role as a commissionaire for 17 years. Only seven years ago did he retire from Marine Atlantic, leaving behind a legacy of hard work. In his cherished spare moments, nothing made him happier than hunting and fishing, which brought him a quiet, steady joy.

Edison was the definition of a true gentleman and devoted Christian. He displayed his faith and joy of life in every aspect of his being. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him. We, the family, express our sincerest gratitude to the fantastic staff at the CCU and Palliative Care Units at Cape Breton Regional Hospital for the exceptional care he received.

A visitation for Edison will be held from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm on Oct. 18th, and a funeral will be held on Oct. 19th at 2 pm at J M Jobes Funeral Home, Main Street, Sydney Mines. Interment will take place at Lakeside Cemetery, Johnson Road, North Sydney. A lunch will follow at Bras D’Or Community Hall. The family welcomes all who knew him to attend and celebrate his life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hayley’s Fund, a financial assistance program run by the Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes for individuals and families affected by epilepsy in Atlantic Canada. To donate, please visit the Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes website or contact them directly and specify Hayley’s Fund as the recipient. The fund is named after Edison’s great-granddaughter, Hayley Brown.

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