Obituary of Vernon John Dempsey

It is with great sadness to announce the sudden passing of Vernon, husband of Colleen Dempsey of Saint John, NB. Vernon passed away peacefully in his home on Aug 23, 2020 at the age of 72. Vernon was born on March 24, 1948 in Saint John, NB as the son of late Vernon and Vivian Dempsey. Anyone who ever met Vern, remembered Vern. He was known for his wit, spunk, humour, fashion, music and of course stubbornness. He moved to Halifax where he raised a wonderful family, had a great retail manager career and had a blast playing music with the fellas. Eventually Vern landed in Sussex to open and run another Mark's store, in which the impossible happened and he fell in love for the second time. Sussex only knew the two of them as one. Early retirement helped Vern develop his culinary, hosting skills, as well as, his image of a sharp dresser. Since moving back to Saint John with the understanding time and health are precious, family was the most important thing to him. Every visit from friends and every family gathering was key in keeping him going. Known as "Papa" and "Grumps" the grandchildren were the best entertainment as he could always teach magic, play board games, tell groaner jokes and of course create his own words that all of us loved. Vern will be sadly missed by his wife Colleen; daughters Kim (Joe) Veinotte of Oromocto,NB and Jennifer (Trevor) Murray of Saint John,NB; sons Kris Dempsey of Halifax NS and Andrew Prince (Kim Rathburn) of Saint John, NB; brother Peter (Roxanne) Dempsey of Saint John, NB; sisters Susan McGinnis and Lorie Ralston (Rick Mott) both of Saint John, NB; 8 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents, Vernon was predeceased by wife Helen Dempsey. Resting at Castle Funeral Home, 309 Lancaster Avenue, Saint John, NB, E2M 2L3, 506-634-1701. Private Family Interment will take place at Cedar Hill Extension Cemetery. Donations in Vernon's memory may be made to the Diabetes Association or the Saint John Animal Rescue League. Online Condolences can be made at www.castlefh.com