DESCHENES, Regeant Joseph "Papa" – Age 71, Port Hastings, Inverness Co., passed away suddenly but peacefully at home on Thursday, February 4, 2021. Papa was born in Sainte-Paule, Quebec on August 12, 1949, to a large and loving family but moved to Cape Breton after he met and married Heather who he always called "My Lovely Wife" and he settled in Port Hastings, where he was very happy with the home he built for his family. Papa was a ship’s cook for 40 years and had been working with Secunda since 2001. Papa had a connection with all the crews he worked with over the years and was happy on the water. Although it was a difficult job, Papa never failed to impress and work his magic in the galley. Papa was a man who was always smiling, always had a joke, always loved to laugh, loved to dance when the opportunity presented itself (Even on coffee tables). Papa was an amazing cook who loved to sit and share a meal, where he enjoyed the company and conversation more than the food he created. Papa cherished spending time with the people he loved. Papa is survived by his wife, Heather (MacKinnon); daughters, Lisa (Graham) and Leanne (Travis); son, Sylvain. Papa’s whole world was his grandchildren who he loved unconditionally and who loved him beyond measure, Emma, Maggie, Payton, Isaiah, Shelby, Kelly, Anthony, Billy and Ludovic. Papa will also be missed by his dog and best friend, Annie, who he loved very much. When Papa married into the MacKinnon family, he became a brother to Howard (Marie), Allan, Sharon (David), Hazel (Gordon), Anna and brother-in-law, Bob. He was predeceased by sisters, Ann and June. Papa also became uncle Regeant to many nieces and nephews and was an Honorary Papa to many over the years. Regeant will be sadly missed and dearly remembered by his brother and sisters and extended family in Quebec, where he is remembered as a man who loved to smile, laugh and of course cook. Papa’s brothers and sisters are, Antionette, Estelle, Ghislaine, Raoul, Francois, Laureanne, Cecyl, Bertrand, Martin and Martine. Papa always looked forward to his visits to Quebec where he was able to spend time with his family. Regeant was predeceased by his parents, Albert and Yvette; stepfather, Ange-Aime; father and mother-in-law, Stanley and Isabell MacKinnon. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday from St. David’s United Church, Port Hastings with Sandi Irving officiating. Burial will follow in St. David’s Cemetery, Port Hastings. Memorial donations in Regeant’s memory may be made to Port Hastings Volunteer Fire Dept. or St. David’s United Church. Upon arrival for the visitation you will be required to provide your name and phone number. Face masks will be required while attending the visitation and social distancing measures will be in place. Seating at the church will be limited and you will be asked to provide your name and phone number there as well and social distancing measures will also be in affect there. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com Visitation Information Visitation Tuesday, February 9, 2021 Visitation Time 4-8 p.m. Visitation Location Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury Service Information Service Date Wednesday, February 10, 2021 Service Time 11 a.m. Service Location St. David's United Church, Port Hastings Burial Information Burial Date Wednesday, February 10, 2021 Burial Time Following funeral service Burial Location St. David's United Church Cemetery, Port Hastings