Flags lowered to half-mast for Sgt. (Ret'd) Tyson Bowen
The Municipality of Pictou County has lowered its flags to half-mast in memory of a man who served his country and community by creating a place of peace for military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Sergeant (Ret’d) Tyson Bowen first visited MOPC council chambers on Nov. 5, 2018, when he spoke about his plans for a farm he purchased in Lorne, Pictou County.
During Monday’s monthly council meeting, District 12 Coun. Chester Dewar said that in all his years with the municipality, Sgt. (Ret’d) Bowen’s death is one of the most difficult things he has had to report to council.
“The residents of Lorne and the people of District 12, the County of Pictou and the people of the province of Nova Scotia send out heartfelt sympathies to the family of the late Tyson Bowen. This boy came to our council and asked for our help a few years ago to help other people and we helped him,” said Coun. Dewar. “We were able to give $25,000 from this council to do something that we thought was going to work and really help.”
Coun. Dewar said he had gotten to know the Bowen family as a bus driver when he started picking up their children for school and saw first-hand the good work that was taking place at Real Canadian Recreation.
“There is no other way to put it that this man died trying to make things better for everyone. He did his service as a retired sergeant in the army, and he came over here to try to make things better. He and his father and his other colleagues and neighbours pitched in all the time and worked and worked.”
Coun. Dewar said he hopes someone will continue Sgt.(Ret’d) Bowen’s dream and make Real Canadian Recreation everything he wanted.
“I just wanted everyone to know just how hard it is for people in our part of the country. When you lose someone that young, working that hard, it is tough.”
Sgt. (Ret’d) Tyson Bowen’s Obituary can be found at Eagles Funeral Home, Westville. www.eaglesfunerahome.com
Visitation will take place at Eagles Funeral Home, Westville on Thursday, September 8th, 2022, 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. A Celebration of Tyson’s life will be held on Friday, September 9th, 2022, at 3:00 pm on the grounds of Real Canadian Recreation, 3144 Trafalgar Road, Hopewell, with Rev. Dr. Glen Matheson officiating. In his memory, please consider making a donation to Real Canadian Recreation in the hopes that some of Tyson’s unfinished projects will be realized, or a charity of your choice in support of mental health and suicide prevention.