Obituary for R. John Efford
Ruben John Efford was born into a fishing family in Port de Grave, Newfoundland on January 6, 1944. At the age of 16, John left home to become a teacher on the west coast of Newfoundland. Later, he moved to Toronto where he worked in sales that gave him the experience he needed to return to Newfoundland, where he started a family and had string of successful businesses.
Upon learning he was a diabetic in the early 80’s, John retired to look after his health but he always knew he wasn’t finished working. A lifetime Liberal, John had the opportunity to successfully run for a seat in the 1985 provincial election. He held several high profile positions where he earned a reputation of being passionate, colourful, outspoken and one of the most recognizable people in Newfoundland & Labrador’s political history. After another retirement in 2001, the political life called again but this time nationally. Another successful stint in politics landed him in the Government of Canada’s cabinet. In 2006, health issues once again forced him into retirement.
However, this retirement was one he looked forward to. He spent his winters in Florida making many new friends who enjoyed his passion and devotion to whatever he took on, whether it be running the social committee or trying to win the next card game.
As a proud Newfoundlander and a devoted family man, John spent his summers with family and friends at the place he loved the most, ‘out on the water’. As a boat owner for most of his life, that’s where you would find him in his free time. Whether it was cruising around, jigging, gunning, sealing or any other reason he could think of, he was on the water. In retirement, he boated around Newfoundland with his wife Madonna, visiting many of the places he so passionately fought for during his political career. There were always family members or friends aboard for a cruise, or a jig during the food fishery. Everybody knew his catch phrase, “Get the gaff, Madonner!” He loved everything to do with the water. Even in his retirement, he started a side gig of flea-market-hunting in Florida to become a cod-fishing rod salesman back in Newfoundland. Ever and always the entrepreneur.
In 2017, John was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and a form of dementia. Coupled with the pandemic and his declining health, John spent his final couple of years in Port de Grave spending as much time as he could with family and friends.
In the early morning hours of January 2, 2022 the Honourable Ruben John Efford, Privy Council, surrounded by family, peacefully passed away at Carbonear General Hospital.
He leaves to mourn his loving family:
Wife: Madonna Efford
Children: Jackie (Wayne) Fitzgerald, John (Joanne) Efford & Lee Efford
Grandchildren: John, Jenna & Cali Jean
Brothers & Sisters: Winston, Kathleen Follett, Harold (Mary), Lewis (Jody) & Diane Walters (Keith)
Brothers & Sisters-in-law: Ed Russell, Bill (Shirley) Peddle, Ross (Sue) Peddle, Melinda (Don) Skinner, Joanne (Rod) Baker & Barbara Babb Peddle
And a large number of family and friends
Predeceased by:
Parents: John & Diana Efford
Parents-in-law: Joseph & Susannah Peddle
Brothers & Sisters: Sam (Betty), Jean, Elaine (Calvin) Petten, Violet Russell & Greg Peddle
Sisters-in-law: Joan Efford & Carol Efford
The Celebration of Life service will be held at the Port de Grave Pentecostal Tabernacle on Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 2 P.M. For those unable to attend, the service will be live streamed through the Port de Grave Pentecostal Tabernacle Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, as expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in his loving memory to the Alzheimer Society of Newfoundland & Labrador or to Diabetes Canada.
Condolences may be written to the family at: sladesfuneralhome.ca , on the Memory Wall section of the obituary. Please forward any stories that you wish to share with the family to john.efford.stories@gmail.com . For further information please call Slade’s Funeral Home, Bay Roberts at 786-2323.
During these exceptionally difficult times, we at Slade's Funeral Home are exercising ways to ensure public safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our trusted staff will be following regulations in conjunction with the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador in co-ordination with the Embalmers & Funeral Directors Board of Newfoundland & Labrador. For more details please visit the COVID-19 section of our website.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Slade’s Funeral Home, serving Carbonear, Upper Island Cove, Bay Roberts, Spaniard’s Bay and surrounding areas.
Upon learning he was a diabetic in the early 80’s, John retired to look after his health but he always knew he wasn’t finished working. A lifetime Liberal, John had the opportunity to successfully run for a seat in the 1985 provincial election. He held several high profile positions where he earned a reputation of being passionate, colourful, outspoken and one of the most recognizable people in Newfoundland & Labrador’s political history. After another retirement in 2001, the political life called again but this time nationally. Another successful stint in politics landed him in the Government of Canada’s cabinet. In 2006, health issues once again forced him into retirement.
However, this retirement was one he looked forward to. He spent his winters in Florida making many new friends who enjoyed his passion and devotion to whatever he took on, whether it be running the social committee or trying to win the next card game.
As a proud Newfoundlander and a devoted family man, John spent his summers with family and friends at the place he loved the most, ‘out on the water’. As a boat owner for most of his life, that’s where you would find him in his free time. Whether it was cruising around, jigging, gunning, sealing or any other reason he could think of, he was on the water. In retirement, he boated around Newfoundland with his wife Madonna, visiting many of the places he so passionately fought for during his political career. There were always family members or friends aboard for a cruise, or a jig during the food fishery. Everybody knew his catch phrase, “Get the gaff, Madonner!” He loved everything to do with the water. Even in his retirement, he started a side gig of flea-market-hunting in Florida to become a cod-fishing rod salesman back in Newfoundland. Ever and always the entrepreneur.
In 2017, John was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and a form of dementia. Coupled with the pandemic and his declining health, John spent his final couple of years in Port de Grave spending as much time as he could with family and friends.
In the early morning hours of January 2, 2022 the Honourable Ruben John Efford, Privy Council, surrounded by family, peacefully passed away at Carbonear General Hospital.
He leaves to mourn his loving family:
Wife: Madonna Efford
Children: Jackie (Wayne) Fitzgerald, John (Joanne) Efford & Lee Efford
Grandchildren: John, Jenna & Cali Jean
Brothers & Sisters: Winston, Kathleen Follett, Harold (Mary), Lewis (Jody) & Diane Walters (Keith)
Brothers & Sisters-in-law: Ed Russell, Bill (Shirley) Peddle, Ross (Sue) Peddle, Melinda (Don) Skinner, Joanne (Rod) Baker & Barbara Babb Peddle
And a large number of family and friends
Predeceased by:
Parents: John & Diana Efford
Parents-in-law: Joseph & Susannah Peddle
Brothers & Sisters: Sam (Betty), Jean, Elaine (Calvin) Petten, Violet Russell & Greg Peddle
Sisters-in-law: Joan Efford & Carol Efford
The Celebration of Life service will be held at the Port de Grave Pentecostal Tabernacle on Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 2 P.M. For those unable to attend, the service will be live streamed through the Port de Grave Pentecostal Tabernacle Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, as expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in his loving memory to the Alzheimer Society of Newfoundland & Labrador or to Diabetes Canada.
Condolences may be written to the family at: sladesfuneralhome.ca , on the Memory Wall section of the obituary. Please forward any stories that you wish to share with the family to john.efford.stories@gmail.com . For further information please call Slade’s Funeral Home, Bay Roberts at 786-2323.
During these exceptionally difficult times, we at Slade's Funeral Home are exercising ways to ensure public safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our trusted staff will be following regulations in conjunction with the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador in co-ordination with the Embalmers & Funeral Directors Board of Newfoundland & Labrador. For more details please visit the COVID-19 section of our website.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Slade’s Funeral Home, serving Carbonear, Upper Island Cove, Bay Roberts, Spaniard’s Bay and surrounding areas.