Bishop's Funeral Home

02/20/2026

A Look Back at 1951 and the Top Stories from 75 Years Ago

The year 1951 would see technological innovations, military manoeuvres and the introduction of some pop culture gems.

In Canada, the population increased to over 14 million, as the baby boomer births continued to rise. Domestically, highlights included testing the first cobalt “bomb,” a cancer therapy developed in an Ontario lab; the establishment of the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority; the first performance of the National Ballet of Canada; and the release of Labatt Blue beer. Government initiatives of the day included the Massey Report which focused on Canadian culture; one recommendation was a message to include “the arts” as a key part of Canada’s international identity.

In the USA, the constitution was amended to limit presidential terms to two. The year also saw extensive forest fires in New Mexico, Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington State, and in Canada parts of British Columbia. The Marshall Plan expired, following the distribution of more than US$13.3 billion in foreign aid to rebuild Europe.

There were many nuclear firsts in 1951: the U.S. tested the first thermonuclear weapon in the Marshall Islands and the Soviet Union declared it had developed an atomic bomb. These developments would add fuel to the arms race and the Cold War.

In science, the world’s first experimental nuclear power plant opened in Idaho; the World Meteorological Organization became a specialized agency of the United Nations; the first production car with power steering wheeled off the assembly line; and the lie detector test was used for a murder investigation in the Netherlands.

In entertainment: “I Love Lucy” debuted on CBS; J.D. Salinger’s book, “The Catcher in the Rye” was released; Marlon Brando delivered an award-winning performance in “A Streetcar Named Desire”; and
“Dennis The Menace” was introduced to comic strip fans.

© Bishop's Funeral Home/CFHC Online

02/18/2026

Dolan Edward Blizzard, age 84, of Fredericton NB, passed away at home on February 17, 2026. Dolan was born on March 13, 1941, in Fredericton, the son of the late ...

02/18/2026

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Verla Mae Crandall (Mazerall) on February 17th, 2026, at Frederick Hall, Shannex. Born in ...

02/17/2026

The Ghost Festival

The Ghost Festival, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival, is an ancient Chinese tradition which dates back to 6th century. It is observed on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, which is different from our Gregorian calendar. During this time, it is believed that the gates of the underworld open, allowing spirits and ghosts to roam freely among the living. This festival is celebrated by many communities around the world, particularly in East and Southeast Asia.

Rooted in Buddhist and Taoist beliefs, the main purpose of the Ghost Festival is to honor deceased ancestors. People offer food, burn incense, and light paper effigies (symbolic representations) of money and clothing to ensure spirits are well-fed and content. As part of these traditions, monks and religious leaders perform special prayers and rituals to help guide spirits back to their resting places.

In some regions, this festival features large-scale street performances including Chinese operas and puppet shows, which aim to entertain both the living and appease these spirits. Many people also avoid risky activities during these festivals such as swimming in unknown waters, patting the shoulders or head of someone or hanging wind chimes. Doing so may result in angered spirits causing harm or creating mischief.

Despite the avoiding of certain activities and superstitious behaviors, the underlying premise of the Ghost Festival is that it recognizes ancestors and forefathers and offers respect to them with kind and loving gestures. By acknowledging the coexistence of the living and the spiritual world, the Ghost Festival serves as a time for reflection on the lives of loved ones who've come before.

© Bishop's Funeral Home/CFHC Online

02/15/2026

Share Memories of Lynn & Support the Moran Family

02/14/2026

The Transformative Power of Love

Although people don’t always recognize it, grief and love are two sides of the same coin; you cannot have one without the other. The same love that provides the initial joy and connection that brings people together is also what makes death so painful, giving grief its ultimate meaning and purpose.

The power of love is demonstrated in the days following a loss through the actions of remembrance and the honouring or paying tribute to a loved one, and the relationship that was shared. While it may not always seem possible during times of intense grief, love provides a path forward to finding meaning after loss.

By acknowledging the love that was present, those in grief can begin to heal, opening their hearts to once again give and accept love from others. By reaching out to others for support and accepting their acts of kindness, emotional comfort can be found, providing a reminder that those who grieve are still loved and not alone.

There is an old saying: “Love conquers all.” This is especially true for grief, because beneath all the layers of sadness, love will always remain.

© Bishop's Funeral Home/CFHC Online

02/12/2026

02/10/2026

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jean Long on February 6, 2026. She was born on October 3, 1931 to the late Roy and ...

02/10/2026

Please Share: Petition (read below)
In a practice commonly referred to as obit scraping or obit piracy, third party websites are copying obit information from funeral home websites and adding modified death notices to their own platform. This practice is done without the family’s or funeral home’s approval.

Additionally, they are selling online memorial products and profiting from this practice.

A petition is underway to gauge public interest to see if this practice should be ceased. To indicate you wish current legislation changed to protect grieving families, please see the below link and sign: https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-6997

02/09/2026

Writing a Eulogy, a Helpful Approach

It’s an honour to give a eulogy, but it can be a stressful undertaking during a time of immense grief. There’s so much to say, but it’s often hard to turn thoughts into words. While there is no easy way to summarize a life, following are a few tips to help write a beautiful eulogy to honour your loved one.

1. Start with a meaningful quote, a brief anecdote or a heartfelt memory to set the tone.
2. A eulogy shouldn’t read like an obituary timeline. Instead, focus on the rich life experiences that mattered most: career achievements, personal accomplishments, personality traits and the impact the person had on others. Through colourful memories, you are essentially bringing the loved one’s legacy to life.
3. Stories are much more meaningful than facts, so share some favourite memories, their best qualities or what made them happiest. Don’t be afraid to use humour or pull at the heartstrings.
4. Conclude with a lasting memory, such as a favourite quote or a final story to leave everyone with a sense of closure and maybe even a smile through their tears.
5. Time-wise, a well-delivered eulogy is delivered in five to 10 minutes and is equal to between 700 to 1,200 words. Care needs to be taken to be concise, so that the message is clear and captivating.

A eulogy isn’t just a speech; it’s a heartfelt tribute to someone who is no longer with us, celebrating both their life and the legacy they have left behind. It’s also an opportunity to bring comfort to those who are grieving, providing a moment of togetherness and reflection, which, if done well, will leave a lasting impact.

© Bishop's Funeral Home/CFHC Online

02/08/2026

It is with sadness that the family announces the passing of Daniel Gordon Roberts on February 6, 2026, loving husband of the late Irene (Bourgaize) Roberts. He ...

02/06/2026

Peacefully with his daughter by his side Clair passed away on February 5, 2026, after a short but courageous battle with cancer. He never looked for praise ...