Mr. Vernon Petten of Port de Grave passed away surrounded by family on January 17, 2025, after a brief illness. He was pre-deceased by his father Henry, his mother Emmie, and his siblings Eileen, Lester, Doreen, and Lewis.

Vernon leaves behind his beloved wife of 69 years, Shirley; his six children, fourteen grandchildren, and nineteen great-grandchildren, Ross and his wife Christina, (Jason (Carolyn), Ian (Charlene), Nicole (Gary) and Ashley (Mark), Joel (Shelby), Kyle (Hailee), Riley (Kathryn), Lucas, Paige, Natalie, Raquel, and Abigail), Iris and her partner Peter (Grayson (Tara) and Kai), Ina and her husband Rick (Philip, Rochelle (Marc) and Jocelyn, Ashton, Reeve, Owen and Leah), Ivy and her husband Wayne (Andrew (Andrea) and Brandon (Nicole), Lucas and Wyatt), Leverna and her husband Tony (Lesley-Ann (Judson) and Teri Lynn (Jason), Hailey, Annalee, Simon and Benjamin) and Blair and his wife Lorraine (Julia (Andrew) and Jordan (Allison)). He also leaves behind his sisters Clarice, Velva, and Beulah, his many nieces and nephews, and a wide circle of friends.

Vernon Petten was a family man, first and always. He and Shirley had an abiding love, and he was never happier than when there was a crowd around the kitchen table in Hibb's Cove, or at a family gathering. Each of us are forever thankful to have had a special personal relationship with Dad. He was a father, pop, brother, friend, and known as "Uncle Vern" to many, he was always available whenever anyone called.

Born into a fishing family, fishing was in his blood, and Dad became a very successful fisherman and enterprise owner and a master boat builder widely known for his superb craftsmanship as a boatwright. For Dad, work was a blessing not a burden, and as 2025 began, he was back in the shed preparing the ropes and bridles for another fishing season.

His greatest love, aside from family, was his faith community. Dad served for fifty years as Treasurer and a Board Member of the Pentecostal church in Port de Grave, he prayed daily, and he lived his life as a servant of his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Dad received the Newfoundland and Labrador Volunteer Hall of Fame medal for his life of service to the community. He was a founding member of the Port de Grave Peninsula Heritage Society, and he gave generously of his time to the Gideons, the Fishermen's Museum, the Port de Grave Harbour Authority, and the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary. He travelled to the Caribbean and Africa to help build schools and churches and made friends wherever he went.

Vernon Petten was 90 years of age when he passed on Friday, having celebrated his birthday and Shirley's 89th birthday on Sunday at the church in Port de Grave with a host of friends and family.

A service celebrating the life of Vernon Petten will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. from the Pentecostal Tabernacle in Port de Grave. He will be resting in the church sanctuary of the Pentecostal Tabernacle on Sunday, January 19 and Monday, January 20, 2025, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the Port de Grave Pentecostal Tabernacle Cemetery Fund. The celebration of life service will be live streamed through the Port de Grave Pentecostal Tabernacle

Please visit www.flahertysfuneralhome.ca to sign the memorial guest book or send a message of condolence.