BEATON, John Alexander – 64, Port Hastings, Inverness Co. We regret to announce the death of John A. Beaton which occurred on Thursday, February 28, 2013, in the Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital. Born in Brook Village, Inverness Co., on July 8, 1948, John was the second son of Mrs. Mary Jessie and the late Colin Beaton. He spent some of his earlier years as a miner and construction worker, but much of his life as a trucker in road construction and oil transport. For nine years, John worked for the Department of Transportation at the Canso Causeway. When his job was terminated, he retrained as a barber at NSCC, Sydney. He opened the Village Barber Shop in Whycocomagh and enjoyed his customers for two years, until ill health forced his early retirement. He fought an on-going battle with health issues for many years following. He enjoyed concert-going and travel, especially his trips to Vancouver, Calgary, Boston and Cape Cod. One of his favourite trips was his visit to Scotland and Iceland in 1998. Kind and honest by nature, he was a true friend to many. He was a very generous and thought of others before himself. He also had a wry sense of humour which would often catch people off guard and make them laugh. To his close friends in Port Hawkesbury, he was known as "Strawberry". John is survived by his mother, Mary Jessie Beaton; brothers, Ronnie (Alice), Colin and Dougie (Wendy); sister, Marlene (Angus) Boyd. He is also survived by his life-long best friend, Carole Chisholm; nephews, Ronald, Kevin (Catriona), Chance (Tammy) and Woody; nieces, Jennifer (Randy) and Katie; former sister-in-law, Darlene MacLean; five grandnieces and nephews; as well as several cousins in the Mabou area. He was predeceased by his father, Collie; brother, Freeman. John was a person of great faith and was a member of St. Joseph Parish, Port Hawkesbury. By his request, John has been cremated. Visitation will be from 2-9p.m. on Sunday, in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. Funeral mass will be 11a.m. Monday from St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Port Hawkesbury, with Father Bill Crispo officiating. Private burial at a later date. Donations in John’s memory may be made to the Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com Visitation Information Visitation Sunday, March 3, 2013 Visitation Time 2-9 p.m. Visitation Location Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury Service Information Service Date Monday, March 4, 2013 Service Time 11 a.m. Service Location St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Port Hawkesbury Burial Information Burial Date At a later date