Obituary of Brent Matheson Austen

Brent Matheson Austen, Age 73, of Whycocomagh passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family and went home to be with his Lord and Saviour on Monday, November 14, 2022 at the Victoria County Memorial Hospital, Baddeck.

Brent was born on December 25, 1948 to the late Fred and Edith (Matheson) Austen of Whycocomagh. He married Rebecca (MacPhail) “Beckie” in 1969 and together they raised Scott (Darlene) and Stephanie (Mark) MacEachern. Brent’s pride and joy were his grandchildren Sean, Savanna, Cael and Neil.

Brent was an active member and Elder of the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Whycocomagh where he displayed his love of music by singing in the choir. Brent worked for over thirty years as a car salesman for Midway Motors, Middle River where he tried to convert everyone into becoming a Dodge lover. Brent had a love and passion for harness racing and thoroughbred horses to which he owned and raced with Scott; He passed this love of horses onto his granddaughter, Savanna. One special horse named She Looks Familiar, always held a special place in his heart. Brent could always be found in local arenas standing by the glass watching and proudly cheering for Sean, Cael and Neil during their hockey games, even more proud that they are all Boston Bruins fans, just like grandpa.

Brent is also survived by his nephew, Fred Matthews (Carmen DeGruchy); niece, Holly Matthews; grand niece, Tracy (Nick) Davison; great-grand nieces, Breagh & Isobel, sisters-in-law, Marion (Bobby) Campbell, Elizabeth MacPhail; brothers-in-law, Raymond Chandler and David Smith; nephews, Wayne Chandler, Jamie Smith, Matthew, Bradley, Michael and Brent (his special namesake) Campbell; nieces, Patty MacDonnell and Carol Smith; several great-grand nephews, a great-grand niece and many special cousins.

Brent was predeceased by his parents; grandson, Noah MacEachern; brother, Donald; sister, Juanita “Nita” Matthews; brothers-in-law, Earl Matthews, Darryl and Robert MacPhail; sisters-in-law, Anne Chandler and Neilena Smith; aunts, Laura Cairns and Isabel MacFarlane and uncle, Manton Austen.

The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to Dr. Genge, Dr. Ritter, Victoria County Palliative Care, Paulette Levin, homecare nurses Lisa, and Zelda, and the doctors and staff of Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Inverness Consolidated Hospital and Victoria County Memorial Hospital for the wonderful care given to Brent over the years.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Dennis Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Whycocomagh. Visitation will take place on Friday, November 18th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Dennis Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Whycocomagh. Funeral service will be held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Whycocomagh, on Saturday, November 19th at 11:00 am, officiated by Margie MacIntyre, LLWL, Reverend Lydia MacKinnon and Pastor Wayne MacLeod.

Burial will take place in the Stewartdale Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the Hospice Society of Victoria County, Baddeck; St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Whycocomagh; or Stewartdale Cemetery Fund, Whycocomagh.

Words of Comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com