Sydney Ross Varner

Age 83, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on August 27, 2023, at the Charlotte County Hospital, St. Stephen, NB, after a brief illness. Loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, he will be missed by many. Born at home in Fox River, NS, he was the oldest child and only son of the late Sarah (Lantz) and Claude Varner.

He is survived by his wife, Ivy (White) Varner; his children, Stephen and Stephanie (Andrew); his step-daughter, Kerry; his beloved grandchildren, Lauryn (Seth), Brooke, Sydney, Alexander, and Charlee; his beloved aunt, Jean West; his sisters, Ruth, Joanne, and Heather (John); brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; many cousins, nieces, nephews and he was blessed with countless friends. Sydney was predeceased by his first wife, Sandra (Taylor); son, Dana, in infancy.

Sydney grew up in Nova Scotia in the Fox River and Parrsboro area along with his three sisters. He began his education in a one-room schoolhouse in Dilligent River, NS, and finished it with a diploma in pharmacy from Dalhousie University (Class of 1963) in Halifax, NS.

Sydney left Parrsboro to work at Newnham and Slipp in Woodstock, NB where he met his first wife, Sandra (née Taylor). He was offered a position at St. George Pharmacy and they moved to the community after getting married in 1964. He eventually became the sole proprietor of the pharmacy in the late 1970s. Sydney took great pride in his profession, mentoring many pharmacists over the years. He was awarded a Life Membership to the New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association in 2014. It was his honour to look after the health and well-being of the families of Charlotte County from 1964 until he signed off one last prescription 56 years later. Sydney loved all his patients and customers and he celebrated their joys and mourned their losses.

Sydney was an avid outdoorsman and loved nothing better than being at his beloved camp in Piskehegan. He enjoyed spending time there alone, reading or looking out over the river, but also with family and friends, generating many stories of successful and unsuccessful hunting trips and outings.

Sydney and Ivy married in 1998 and moved to Canal in 2014 where he puttered in the garage with his cars, fed an increasing number of deer, and played with their much loved dog, Marlee. They enjoyed travelling abroad and winters in Florida, though Sydney was reluctant to miss out on snowmobiling. They were excited to become grandparents to first Lauryn and Brooke, and then Sydney, Xander, and Charlee. Pop, or Grampy, as he was known, was a proud and loving grandfather. He was a first-class pancake maker and happily supplied pancakes to grandchildren whenever the opportunity arose.

His family would like to thank the staff at the Charlotte County Hospital for their care and compassion in his final days and those who have been so kind and helpful to him in his final years through their friendship.

Arrangements have been entrusted to St. George Funeral Home (506-755-3533) 26 Portage Street, St. George, NB. Resting at Sea View Full Gospel Church, Back Bay, NB, with visiting on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. A Celebration of Sydney’s life will be held from the church on Friday at 2:00 pm with Rev. Gordon Cooke officiating followed by the interment in the St. George Rural Cemetery. Immediately following the interment, a reception will be held at The Beacon, 14 Main Street, St. George, NB. All are welcome to attend. Masks will be made available for those who wish to use one. In Sydney’s memory, donations to a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family.