Obituary of Cyril Medford Wagner

It is with great sadness and gratitude for a life well lived that we announce the passing of Cyril Medford Wagner, age 90, on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at the Cove Guest Home. Born in New Canada, Cyril was the son of the late Clarence and Marion Wagner. “Cy” left home at 17 in search of a new life. He completed a diploma at Radio College in Montreal, and moved to Sydney in 1952 where he started his lifelong career at Air Canada as a radio technician. It was at a North Sydney dance where he met his soulmate, Mabel (nee Jesty). They married and settled down in Coxheath where they raised their three sons. Cy was a character like no other. He decided to paint Mabel‘s Chevette a rust colour after his bodywork repair did not work out - with a paint brush. While it bothered Mabel, it didn’t flinch Cy. What Cy lacked in pretense, he made up for in charm. He was a man who gave far more than he took. Always a teaser, Cy was quick to turn a phrase! His sense of adventure followed him wherever he went - whether it was bowling, fishing, hunting, climbing ladders to scrape house paint, or horseshoes at Ben Eoin Beach. A natural athlete, he excelled in curling and golf, and could be found at Seaview Golf Club where he was a lifelong golf member. Cy was slow to anger and quick to smile. As his friends described recently, they had many an argument, but never a fight. The battles on the golf course were competitive and intense but were always trumped by fun, quick wit, and a cold beer for everyone, except for Cy… he preferred his beer warm. He never lost his competitive spirit and was still the checker champ to his final days. The one battle Cy did lose, however, was his battle with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). We have lost a kind and generous soul. Cy leaves his sons: Raymond, (Anne), Halifax; Brian, (Wendy), Sydney; eight grandchildren: Jennifer, Lisa, and Maria; Courtney and Drew; Kristina, Jillian and Jeanna; 11 great-grandchildren, and two brothers, Clarke and Brenton. Besides his parents, Cy was predeceased by his wife, Mabel; his brothers, Claude and Gilbert; sister, Irene; son, Bruce, and daughter-in-law, Nancy. Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 6 Churchill Drive, Sydney, NS, 902-539-7175. Visitation will take place on Saturday, February 24, from 2 to 5 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be held in New Germany in the Spring. Our deepest appreciation goes out to the county Homecare staff, his Stuart Street friends, and Deborah, who enabled Cy to remain in his home until recently, and for the compassionate care shown to him in his final months at the Cove. Words of condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.tjtracey.com.